Radiologic technologist (degree, jobs, career, insurance)

[Blue's Love]

I just took this test called the Strong Interest Inventory Profile and it came up that this would be my number 1 job of interest.

Anyone out there do this for a living?

Salary?
Enjoyment?


Anything else you can tell me about this job would be wonderful.

[lisdol]

You might want to check out the threads on this forum

Radiology Forums - Share Your Knowledge

while you are waiting for responses here.

[nicet4]

My daughter does that. Called X-Ray tech.

Very nice, two year degree required in most states and to be board certified.

Job availability is not what it was but still reasonably good for this market. More than likely you will get a job especially if willing to travel a bit.

Pay is generally $17 to $22 to start and goes up some with experience. At 23 my daughter was making around $42k. I am very proud of her accomplishments.

Benefits at a hospital are generally world class in terms of hospitalization and insurance.

Work can be physical having to move patients that can not move on their own.

Opens up to MRI, ultrasound and whatever the other thing is that pays more.

[lisdol]

Originally Posted by nicet4

whatever the other thing is that pays more.

I think you might mean Nuclear Medicine or CT, or both.

[nicet4]

Originally Posted by lisdol

I think you might mean Nuclear Medicine or CT, or both.

CT, thanks.

I was suffering a senior moment.

[Jesse69]

If your poor it's a cheap degree to get at a CC... about $5400 in district at Wright College in Chicago.

[Smooth23]

I'm a Rad Tech student. So far it seems that everyone that works in the field finds it enjoyable. There are even two people (out of 19) in my class that were x-ray techs years ago and decided to come back to the field. That being said, competition to get into the education programs are very tough. As far as job outlook, it can be iffy. Lots of us questioning if the jobs will be there when we are registered. Currently it seems most the jobs in the field are in Texas and Alaska. No telling what it could be in a few years tho.

As a side note, the ASRT (American society of rad techs) is pushing for a bill requiring hospitals to only hire registered techs, which would help the job market. There are lots of radiologic technicians that are not registered and qualified that really should not be working in the field.

ETA: It can be a job that is somewhat disrespected, people don't really understand you are a highly trained professional.
Also, around me Rad Techs make about 53k.(michigan)

[brassbin]

^that's bcoz you are standing next to another professional who's probably making at least $300k

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by Smooth23

ETA: It can be a job that is somewhat disrespected, people don't really understand you are a highly trained professional.
Also, around me Rad Techs make about 53k.(michigan)

Get in line I paid around $40k for my pilot certificates and another 40k for my 4 year and after working two years making poverty wages as a flight instructor finally got to an airline making $25k and I felt rich!!!

The airline put more in training dollars into me than my first years salary...

[Blue's Love]

Well my goal is to actually be a Pharmacist - However, I don't want to be poor while I’m trying to get the degree. I have a family I have to think about first. So I think it might be a good starter career. J