Radiology Forums

dedawn1 · Joined: 16 Jul 2008 Posts: 17 Location: Fort Worth Tx.

Hello I have a question. I really want to work in oncology and as soon as I finish my rad tech program I want to get more education. Is there bridge programs for radiation techs or do you then have 2 more years of school? ugh!!! How do people get certified for specialized areas like MRI, CT or mammo?

hjhogle · Moderator Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 609 Location: CT

OK, you're talking about quite a few different things, here.

Radiation therapy is a distinct specialty. Although it was common in the old days to move from diagnostic to therapeutic, it isn't necessary.

Many community colleges which have RT programs also have RTT programs. You are certainly welcome, I'm sure, to enter a therapy program as soon as you're through with radiologic technology.

MRI and mammo are also totally separate from diagnostic radiology. MRI does not use radiation at all, but a combination of magnetic and radio waves combined by computer. (that's the reader's digest version). The legal requirements of mammography certification require significant additional eductation.

In other words, it doesn't sound like you have a direction .. you're just looking around to see what directions are available to you.

Most other modalities are now stand-alone professions (or they're nearly there). As that happens, on-the-job training goes out the window and formal education is required. Before choosing your next direction, finish the road you're on. Work in the field for a bit, and you'll discover what interests you.

Good luck
hjh, RT

papa · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 4:14 pm Post subject:

man, are they requireing mammo techs to go to class now?

i know ct a lot of techs are just cross trained. granted, i personally went to school and got a certificate, and i feel that i'm a better off because of it. but i've run across a lot of ct techs who were just cross trained into ct, and then they studied for the boards...

papa RTRCT
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