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Career Opportunities and Work Life - Radiologic Technology

Radiologic technologists perform a wide range of duties to produce images of the tissue, organs, bones, and vessels of the body. They prepare patients for imaging by explaining the procedure and positioning the person so the parts of the body can be properly radiographed.

In addition to working directly with the patient and operating imaging equipment, radiologic technologists follow physicians' orders, keep patients' records, and adjust and maintain the equipment they use.

Work Environment
Radiologic technologists work in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals, clinics, and private physicians' offices. Most positions are full-time with 40 or more hours a week. About one in five positions are part-time. Because illness and injury don't wait for normal business hours, radiologic technologists may have to work some evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

The job can be physically demanding. Much time can be spent standing. Radiologic technologists often need to lift or turn disabled patients. The radiographer must protect patients and themselves from any needless radiation exposure.

Employment Outlook
Employment projections for the radiologic technology field are strong for the foreseeable future. Growing faster than the average for all occupations, job openings at the national level for radiologic technologists are expected to grow by 23 percent by 2012. By 2012 in Michigan, that growth rate is projected to be 14 percent.

Locally, demand for radiologic technologists is very strong. By 2010, the job growth rate is projected to be 12.6 percent in Berrien County. Many Lake Michigan College radiological technology students are offered jobs before graduation.

As the baby boom generation ages, demand for these health care professionals will grow. These individuals will require additional medical services for an increasing number of ailments. Also, technology in the field is expanding, creating new areas of specialty.

Career Advancement
Radiologic technologists with advanced education - including bachelor's and master's degrees - will have the most options for varied employment. Additional training can prepare an individual to specialize in mammography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), sonographs, and nuclear medicine.

A bachelor's degree is often necessary for health care administrative and management positions and is a prerequisite for entry into a graduate program in research, consulting, teaching, or a clinical specialization. For teaching in the clinical setting, radiologic technologists must hold a bachelor's degree and for classroom instruction, one must typically hold a master's degree.