Radiology Forums

JHS1089 · Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 3

Hello, I'm a bit confused about crosstraining and the modalities sonographers and rad techs can and cannot learn.

Do Sonongraphers have ability to learn x-ray, CT, MRI etc on the job or would this require additional education in radiologic technology?

.....and conversely are rad techs qualified to learn sonography? If so, how does one become certified once having been crosstrained and about how long would it take?

From what I've already gathered it would seem that it would be unlikely for sonographers to pursue any imaging modalities that require the use of radiation.

I'd appreciate any info as I'm about to make the decision of which avenue of medical imaging to purse. Thanks for your help.

papa · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:02 am Post subject:

as far as i know, sonographers are not allowed to use any kind of ionizing radiation. so that shoots down the idea of sonographers training to x-ray, ct, or any other field of imaging (sorry). there's so much information to learn about radiation that you physically can't cross train. now, if you wanted to go to school and get your RT, then that is possible.

not too sure about how it works the other way around, but it's probabally the same.

papa RT(R)(CT)
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hjhogle · Moderator Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 556 Location: CT

It used to be that radiographers (xray techs) routinely trained on the job into other areas - NM, CT, MR, US.

NM was the first modality to become it's own specialty. The education is separate (and very different), the requirements for education and certification are also separate and very different.

CT - CT is still currently most often learned on the job by certified. RT's.

MR - MR is probably going to be the next modality that becomes it's own "thing" Which makes sense, after all it uses radio and magnetic waves, rather than radiation.

US is now it's own field. Although you don't have to be an RT, many RT's go into US, but they must go through a standard education program .. usually running 1-2 years before working as a clinical sonographer. Challenging field, US.

Good luck!
hjh

ashmartin07 · Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Posts: 11

First of all, the first post said that sonographers can't use radiation. We don't use it in our field, but that doesn't mean we can't go to other fields. Some programs will teach you both, but they are disappearing quickly. Within the next few years, sonography will require a bachelor's degree, thus you can't cross train into it. I think most hospitals will train a sonographer to do other modalities. The difference is that with Ct, Mri, xray and such, the tech is just taking a picture. With ultrasound, we create the picture; literally. Sonography is completely operator dependent and I can't imagine trying to train on the job. There is so much physics behind it and 9 times out of 10 the radiologist will ask me what I think, so I have to know my pathology and the norm. Hope this helps!

hjhogle · Moderator Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 556 Location: CT

Actually, ashmartin is not correct.

Bachelor's degrees have nothing to do with cross-training.

Hospitals cannot train sonographers into other modalities. Radiologic technology is state licensed in more than 35 states, and few facilities which receive federal funds (also known as Medicare/Medicaid) use non-certified (ARRT) personnel to radiate the public. Ultrasonographers with no formal training in radiologic technology cannot be crossed trained into it.

Ultrasonography is indeed demanding and operator dependant.

However, to denigrate the skill and training of thousands of radiologic technologists by calling us 'picture takers' says more about your lack of professionalism than ours.

I hope your training continues.

Heather Hogle, RT
New Haven, CT