Thinking of becoming a Radiology Technologist

ClarkDaniels · Joined: 29 Apr 2009 Posts: 1

Ok so im 24, never really known what ive wanted to do with my life as far as career wise. I started looking in Radiology thus here I am haha. Now I made the pretty average grades in high school. I guess what im questioning is. Is this a good job to have. Good sides of it. The dark sides of it . I am currently working as a Special Ed Bus Aid in my County's Transportation system. So I do have a big heart for people . Do all of you enjoy doing what you do in Radiology? Things like that =). Any and all answers will be greatly appreciated. Hope to hear from you all soon! God Bless =)
Daniel.

Jebby16 · Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 6 Location: FL

It sucks when you have about 100 views and no responses. Sorry I couldn't help ya.

Rolling Eyes

hjhogle · Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 9:27 pm Post subject:

Diagnostic Imaging is challenging and rewarding. It requires commitment and a willingness to put the care of your patient first, every time. It's physically, mentally and emotionally demanding.

To quote an earlier post (humor me)

I went into Radiography at 18 because I couldn't think what else to do with myself after high-school graduation. Although I love(d) being in school, I couldn't see going to school for an extended period without knowing what was at the other end. My best friend had decided to attend the local (Maryland) community college to get a degree in Radiography .. she convinced me it was an ok idea.

30 years later, I STILL love this profession. I would do my darnedest to discourage anyone who entered the program with the lukewarm, vague reasons I had. (I confess, I was pretty air-headed as a teenager and it took me quite a while to grow up).

I grew up in this field .. I had some WONDERFUL mentors in my first job. Those exceptional individuals coached me and coaxed me into learning to behave like a responsible adult. They taught me selflessness and integrity and how to put everything you have in the interests of the patient.

It's been quite a few years and I've done a lot of different things within Radiology in different parts of the country. I do Radiology IT now, and thoroughly enjoy it. But I would go back and work alongside any one of those folks in a heartbeat. I'm proud of what I've done, and I'm proud that they trained me to have high expectations of myself and others.

I'm a professional because they behaved like professionals and they insisted that I learn to behave like one, too.

hjh, RT

slamphere · Joined: 13 Jun 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Oregon

See if you can follow a tech (or two) around in their job for several days. There may be some sort of job shadow program through a local community college. This job is just more than taking pictures of bones.

You will be required to have a thorough knowledge of anatomy, not be squeamish, be able to stand for long periods of time wearing a lead apron, and put up with cranky radiologists.

The hours can be long and stressful. If you end up working in a hospital, you'll more than likely work weekends, holidays, and weird hours.

You'll deal with sick people, old people, babies, those who are dying, and a few who are already dead.

If you think you can handle this, then you would probably enjoy what you do. I absolutely love what I do. I really don't want to trade it for anything else. Orthopedic surgery is fascinating!
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SL