Limited Permit X-Ray Tech???

Evan · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 3

I got laid-off from my job and am looking into becoming a Sonographer. I thought I would become an X-Ray Tech first and then train to be a Sonographer.

A school near me has a "Limited Permit X-Ray Tech" program. What is the difference between a "Limited Permit" and a regular X-Ray Tech? Who is the person in the hospital who x-rays your broken arm?

The program is a Medical Assistant, Limited Permit X-Ray Tech combo program. After about a year and a half you can take your license to be a certified MA and Limited Permit X-Ray Tech.

Also, the school is the Medical Career College of Norther California in the Sacramento area.
http://www.medicalcareercollege.net/

And I found a sonography school in the area called College of Career Training....
http://www.cctcal.net/index.html

Thanks.

hjhogle · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:53 pm Post subject:

Becoming a limited "tech" will not get you where you want to go.

1. "limited" is exactly what it sounds like. You will NOT be a nationally certified, (sometimes state licensed) RT - a Radiographer. In many states you will not be able to work, period.

2. It is not necessary to become an RT in order become a Sonographer - a professional imager who uses sound waves (rather than radiation) to provide diagnostic image information.

This school - http://www.cctcal.net/index.html - is not accredited - if you attend this program, you will not be eligible for certification/licensing.

To find an accredited songraphy program, there are two place you can look -
the ARRT list of accredited programs here: https://www.arrt.org/index.html?content=nd/listOfSchools.ndm/listSchools&iframe=yes

and the CAAHEP list of accredited programs here: http://www.caahep.org/Find-An-Accredited-Program/

Good luck,
hjh,RT

Evan · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 3

I live in California and have seen a few job advertisements for "Limited" techs. So I guess there are jobs around, but how many I don't know and have no idea how easy it would be to get one. I see more jobs for MAs who will also be needed to do limited x-rays. And that would be fine with me for the interim.

The problem with going to an accredited sonography school is there is only one in norther California and it is nowhere near me. So going to a non accredited one and doing the required year of work and then getting certified is the only alternative for me.

I think I can get medical assistant training AND limited x-ray tech training at the school I mentioned paid for by the State due to the fact that I was just laid-off.

Any suggestions?