How to Begin a Carrier with X ray Technician
X ray technician
An x ray technician is a trained and qualified person having all the requirements and skills needed to cope up in the field of medical radiology, using x-ray equipments to take an inside pictures of bones and tissues and providing a surgeon or a doctor with all the record necessary for right diagnosis. An x ray tech can work in various fields such as in hospitals, radiology clinics, dentist clinic, imaging centers and all the medical related fields.
x ray technician
Job description of an x-ray technician
The primary and important job of an x ray tech or x-ray technician or radiology technician is to prepare patients for taking an x-ray. An x ray technician job further includes developing x-ray films and helping doctors or surgeon for the correct diagnosis. An x ray technician should learn how to operate fixed and portable x ray machines, how to position the patient so that he/she is exposed to low radiation, how to acquire quality pictures, handle stressful situations and make ease for patients who are in pain.
Education and training requirements
Training is must and occurs at trade schools. Education programs for x-ray technician ranges from 1-4 years. Education program covers certificate level, associate degree or bachelor degree.
For certification level students have to pass the certification exams and complete an accredited program. For maintaining certification value, a student has to complete 24 education credits every two years.
carrier with x ray technician
If you are already into the healthcare field and want to change your carrier to x-ray technician or expand your knowledge in this field you just require a 1 year accelerated program. Most 1 year programs are for registered nurse or other medical professionals want to change their carrier.
And if you are just planning into voluntary certification through the American registry of radiologic technologist (ARRP) 2 year associated degree radiologic technologist programs is sufficient.
But if you wish to work in supervisory or administrative field bachelors level programs are must.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2007, 38 states required licensure to work as an x-ray technician, and 35 states required the ARRT exam for providing the state license. There are also several x-ray technician schools in new york.
You can also cover these courses online and become an x ray technician if you cannot join school directly or if you have an issue with fees.
Scope of an x-ray technician
By 2016, x-ray technician jobs are expected to increase by 15%. The growth rate is much higher than other professions and across all industries. The medical industries, hospitals and imaging centers are increasing in a huge rate thus making a carrier of x ray technician fruitful. Technicians having a go0d knowledge of imaging techniques have a great employment opportunities.
Salary of an x ray technician
Since the demand of hospitals and imaging centers are increasing you are into a highly paid and recognized profession if you are a dedicated and hardworking X ray technician. Your salary may ranges from $32,000 to $68,000 yearly with $48,000 being the average.
Risk involved in becoming an x ray technician
Being an x ray technician you have to continuously deal with the harmful x ray radiation. The frequent exposure to x-rays may develop cancers and harmful tumors. Following all the protection such as shielding the room, using lead sheet or walls, using dosimeter, minimizing the distance from radiation and blocking body parts minimizes the risks.
X ray technician works with doctors, nurses, physician, surgeons, dentist, patient and other person working in medical field. When describing this field, it has a lot reputation and money, and with quality work, experience and dedication towards work you will reach to the heights you have once dreamed off. Just you need is certificate and enthusiasm to work hard.
Mobile X-ray: New Generation Safety
When X-ray devices were first invented, they used to be really bulky and had an utterly complicated system of wires. The size went on decreasing and the wires went on being simplified. And today we have wireless X-ray devices in front of us. These are portable and are useful at places where there is no electricity. They are usually used by the police and military departments to check suspicious stuff without touching the stuff. It has been said that x-rays are also being built in hand held devices now to ease their duties further. Though they don’t give images with the quality as good as the bulky devices, the pictures are clear enough to locate any unethical or unwanted things. Also during war and such situations where people live in a tent, putting up a whole X-ray machine is impossible. Portable X-rays machines have come as bliss to those people as they are able to carry on their medical check-ups.
Many of mobile x-ray devices don’t even require a dark room nowadays. For example, an x-ray system called nomad-pro produces digital x-ray images, can do its work even in the light during daytime and is light weight weighing about six pounds only. It is not difficult to operate them as well. Unlike the other x-ray devices, it doesn’t require knowledge of computers and software.
Because of the increasing potential dangers of terrorism, the US government is introducing as many measures as possible. Mobile X-rays in vans have come into the scene lately to randomly check people at any place. It is commonly called ZBV by them. They first appeared in September, 2009. They use the same technology as that of the body scanners in airports. And they also get through everything in the body that is beyond the clothing. They are used to investigate cars and houses randomly. They are also expected to be useful in the upcoming big events like London Olympics 2012.
However, these devices have often been criticized by the general population because of its hindrance in personal activities and health hazards caused by the radiation. To some extent the criticism is also sensible, because these machines do cross the privacy line. Though it has its own benefits; now every car doesn’t need to be stopped to check and they can be checked more efficiently. The drivers will not be asked for their license or insurance, and hence lets them a little free. And some benefits have already come into the scene. A few drug scandals and such cases have been solved by this van. During the majority of times, the one who is being inspected doesn’t even know that he is being inspected. But for the health part, constant maintenance of the device has to be done so that the X-rays are comparatively safer. One small negligent act can cause a great injury. Hence, the government has to carry out its responsibility well.
X-rays are getting more and more mobile with the passage of time. In fact in the future, it is even predicted that the smart phones will have X-ray vision. This project of the students at University of Texas Dallas is likely to enable the next generation with superheroes’ power. 50 years back, nobody had predicted that x-ray machines would develop to the present extent. Hence, we never know what happens in the next 50 years. All we can do is wait and watch. But with this pace, development is bound to happen.