Radiology Forums

nuclear26 · Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Indinapolis

Hi,

My wife wants to have career in the field of radiology and learn MRI too, now we both were thinking as which course is better either Associates Degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology or Associates in RT? what kind of future each hold?

As I'm from an engineering background have little to no knowledge about medical field so I'm unable to guide my wife as which course can give her better opportunity & pay out there.

I would appreciate if any of the experienced professionals guide us appropriately with detailed reasoning soon.

Thanks much for your help.

Best Regards
Nuclear 26

hjhogle · Moderator Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 608 Location: CT

Nuclear Medicine Technology is a totally separate field, regulated differently (more stringently, actually due to the handling and use of radioactive materials). A degree in NM would be useful if she plans on working as a NM technologist.

If, however, she intends to work in Radiography and ultimately go into MRI, NM will not be helpful.

Currently, most MRI technologists come from ranks of CT technologists (who usually cross-train from diagnostic Radiology).

Also, it is possible to go to school specifically for MRI. Be careful, however. Regulations about who is qualified to perform different types of medical imaging varies from state to state .. and even modality to modality. (For instance, in Florida, Ultrasound technologists are not yet required to be licensed by the state, but Radiologic Technologists are. MRI technologists are not, but the last two large hospitals I worked in there would only hire licensed RT's to perform MRI.

The short version is - if she wants to work in Radiography and go into MRI, do not get a degree in Nuclear Medicine technology. It's not the same thing at all. Get the AA/AS in radiography, work in the field for a few years and then look to cross-train or return to school for MRI.

Good luck

nuclear26 · Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Indinapolis

Hi,

Thanks much for your detailed and quick response. Does NMTs paid higher than RTs?

Thanks
Nuclear26

hjhogle · Moderator Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 608 Location: CT

In some clinical settings, and in some states. It's strongly influenced by supply and demand.

Salary information - There are other online salary resources .. I'm pretty sure CTDave can provide some when he sees this thread, as can some of the NM Techs out there.

But here is a link to the annual salary survey done by the ASRT (American Society of Radiologic Technologists) - it's a PDF file.

http://www.asrt.org/media/pdf/research/wss2007/WSS2007FullReportFinal.pdf

You might also try this -
http://www.salary.com/

Good luck
hjh

nuclear26 · Joined: 12 Nov 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Indinapolis

Hi,

Thanks a lot for the information provided and the help you have extended in educating us.

Regards
Nuclear 26