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sir09 · Joined: 19 Jan 2009 Posts: 5

Need advice. I want a faster way in changing my career. I am confused with xray tech and rad tech are they the same? I already checked all the accredited schools for rad tech and everything is for 2 years. Can I just take the xray tech offered by Kaplan which is 1 year and get a job and career out of it?

Does xray tech lead you somewhere? or you really need to go to another 1 year course?

I hope you can enlighten me. thanks

hjhogle · Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 7:48 am Post subject:

I don't specifically know anything about Kaplan. But here's what I CAN tell you.

There are multiple ways into imaging. Some good, some not so much.

The most important thing to know is that you must enter a program that's "accredited" and acceptable to the ARRT. If you do not, you will not be eligible to take the national certification exam offered by the ARRT - the result being that you will not be qualified for 98% of imaging jobs that you see advertised. (Personally, I think that's incredibly foolish - people do it, and I'll never understand what they were thinking)

For heaven's sake, spend the extra year.

Additionally, you should know that beginning Jan 1, 2015 - the requirements to exam eligibility will be changing. According to the ARRT website here (www.arrt.org), candidates must "have earned an associate degree (or more advanced degree) from an appropriately accredited institution". As always, as the profession matures, the call is for more education, not less.

Once you've realized that the only smart thing to do is attend an accredited program, there are still multiple pathways.

1) Attend a 4-year program and earn a Bachelor's degree. This is the route I would take if I had it to do over again. It provides you with the most options (if you wanted to get into management or education further down the line). This graduate earns a 4-year degree and is eligible to sit for the national certification exam. (NOTE - some states also have licensure requirements)

2) Attend a 2-year community college program and earn an Associate degree. This is the route I took and it was an excellent, shorter alternative. This graduate earns a 2-year degree and is eligible to sit for the national certification exam. (NOTE - some states also have licensure requirements)

3) Attend a 2-year non-degree program and earn a certificate. This graduate earns a certificate only and is eligible to sit for the national certification exam. (NOTE - some states also have licensure requirements)

"X-ray tech" is a term that none of us like, even though it's the one that much of the public uses. 'Rad tech" is not much better, frankly. I am a "Radiologic Technologist" (hence, the RT that I'm entitled to use at the end of my name). Personally, I prefer "Radiographer". I think it's a much more accurate description of what I do.

And, by the way, if you do not attend an accredited program and so are not eligible to take the national certification exam, you are NOT entitled to use RT after your name.

I know that there's urgency for folks to get out there and get working - but taking this particular shortcut (attending a 'quickie' course) ... although it might seem to be a good solution ... will have negative long-term consequences. For you, and for the patients you image.

Good luck,
hjh, RT

sir09 · Joined: 19 Jan 2009 Posts: 5

thanks for the reply hjhogle. I knew I can count on you.. At least now I know what to inquire.