X-Ray Technicians

If you’ve ever been treated at a hospital for a medical condition, had a surgical procedure, or broken a bone, you’ve no doubt encountered an x-ray technician. Often, during stressful medical situations, it’s the kindness and bedside manner of these healthcare professionals that can make the experience more bearable. In fact, a good x-ray technician is often necessary to help diagnose a medical problem, and ensure you are treated properly. In short, if you’re seeking a profession that is just as much about caring for others as it is about technology and healthcare, becoming an x-ray technician might be just the career for you.

How do I become an X-Ray Technician?
To become an X-ray technician, you must first seek out an education program. These may be found at colleges and universities, or via career education providers, depending on the type of program you’re seeking. Programs range anywhere from one to four years in duration. Educational options include enrolling in a certificate, diploma, or degree program. No matter which route you take, it’s important to note that you must have some sort of formal training in order to get a job as an x-ray technician, and depending on your state, you may have to become certified or licensed. In addition, you may be expected to take up to 24 hours of continuing education classes every couple of years to renew your certification.

Regardless of your state’s requirements (40 states currently require licensure in order to practice), it’s a smart idea to seek certification after you complete your training at an accredited X-ray technician school as many health care providers, hospitals, and doctors prefer to hire certified x-ray technicians. The certification exam is administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. To take the exam, you must first finish your educational program.
As far as choosing a reputable x-ray technician program, you might want to start with The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. They accredit more than 600 radiography programs across the country.

What will I learn in X-Ray Technician school?
When researching formal x-ray technician training, the first thing you need to consider is duration of the program. Programs range from one to four years, and may lead to a certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor's degree. Students take a combination of classroom courses and hands on clinical instruction using radiographic equipment.

Coursework includes basic anatomy and physiology, pathology, medical terminology, imaging, radiation protection, and other medically relevant classes. In addition, you’ll be schooled in medical ethics, patient care, and other skills that will help you work with people in a hospital or medical office setting. On a practical level, upon completing an X-ray technician training program, you should know how to operate both fixed and portable x-ray machines, how to position people to ensure the best possible image, and how to deal with patients. For instance, you may have someone who is injured or in pain, making it more challenging to get the image you need. Also, X-ray technicians need to learn how to not share too much information with patients, as it’s never allowed for a technician to give their medical opinion or discuss x-ray results – that’s the doctor’s job.

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