Limited Scope Radiology Technician Vs. Radiologist. HELP!

Leah721 · Joined: 07 May 2009 Posts: 1 Location: Arizona

OK. So i'm out of school.(I graduated early) Currently working in a office. I started a year ago and have worked my way up considering I started at 17. I'm looking into radiology and really cannot spend 2-4 years in school. There is a school that offers a program for practical radiology technician, and its only 9 months. I can't afford the time or money to go to a university to get to the top. So I'm wondering if it is worth going to this school and taking this tech program. I would love it if they offered a bridge program that i could continue in later down the road to beome a radiologist but from what I've been hearing no tech program schools offer that. Im also concerned with the job demand of a technician, I've heard its not so great, and that alot of them have to go back to school to start all over again. I really don't want to have to do that. So if anyone could give some advice, I would love to hear it.

wildwestcats · Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 31 Location: Arizona

There is a difference between radiologic technologists and radiologists. If you want to be a radiologist, that involves many years of post-graduate education after an MD has been awarded.

Limited scope techs are just that, limited, in both what they can do and where they can work. If I were you, I would try very hard to get into a program that will make you eligible to sit for your boards as a full RT. Otherwise, you might find yourself in a position where you can't really move up.

Also, if you can't spend 2-4 years in school right now, what will be different in the future that will allow you to spend at least a year in a bridge program, assuming you can find one in your program.

The job market at the moment is rather dismal, but it goes in cycles. There will be an upturn eventually.

Altdotweb · Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Posts: 1

You have already answered your own question.

The only advice I can give you is that you avoid the technician route and find a way to become a technologist at a school where you can tranfer your credits forward.

Your other practical option is to work there while you get a degree in something else.

If you do decide to go to a RT school

Assuming that you only mean the ones that take the X-rays (techicians and technologists) and not the MD's that read them (6+ years of dedicated schooling)

Pros and cons:

1) Technician = certificates earned thru short (9 mos) tradeschool programs without internships.

Pro: Usually no waiting lists to enter. / Short time to completion

Con: Limited opportunities for employment due to limited scope of qualification. / Non-internship programs not eligible for ARRT License. / Usually expensive tuition. / Credits do not usually carry forward or transfer (terminal degree) / Qualifications might be limited to only one state.

2) Technologist (University/college without an 800 number) = 2 year program with 1 year internship.

Pro: Work in almost all diagnostic X-ray settings. / Can take ARRT for national certification. (can get licensed in another state with little or no re-education) / Lower cost vs tradeschool / Most credits carried forward/transfer for higher degree. / Many contracts with hospitals for internship.

Con: Waiting list to enter program / Selection process tends to weed out lower end students (technically not a negative)

3) Technologist (Tradeschool with an 800/888 number) = 18 mos - 2 year program that might include an internship.

Pro: Short or no waiting list. / Only X-ray classes and no fluff for degree

Con: Usually expensive (compared to traditional schools) / Terminal degree/credits (cannot transfer out of school for further degree). / Might not be accredited or nationally accredited. / Limited internship facilities.

Make sure the school you go to is JRCERT certified and accredited to sit for the ARRT test.