XRay Technician – What Does a Trained X Ray Tech Do?

By Dana Prince

If you’re thinking about becoming a trained x ray technician, you might want to learn more about various aspects of the life and job of an x ray tech, such as: the job, the pay, the opportunities, and getting trained. Continue reading to help you learn more about these individual topics so you can decide whether or not you want to become an x ray technician as well as to help you learn more about x ray technician training opportunities. 

The job

The job of an x-ray technician is one that requires formal training. What will you be doing? In essence, an x ray tech takes pictures of the human body. There are many specialties within the field of x ray technology so there quite a few job opportunities. 

Pictures are taken for various reasons in terms of diagnosing medical issues, broken bones and fractures, and diseases and of course the xrays are taken of various body parts. The technician is trained on medical terminology, taking the photos, as well as working with the patient. 

Various xrays can be taken, such as: dental, limbs, chest xrays, head xrays, etc.  The x ray technician who is specialized in sonography may also take photos of pregnant bellies to determine measurements of a growing baby and may even be required to take internal xrays, such as a vaginal ultrasound.  The job requires medical equipment operation skills, training, people skills, and a love for medicine is definitely helpful, too. 

The pay 

How much do x ray techs get paid? X ray tech salary will vary, depending on many factors such as: the city, the job location, their experience level, and / or their specialty.  Most x ray techs in the USA earn salaries that start in the mid $30 k range. Some areas may pay slightly lower but some technicians earn up to $90 k or more as well. The median salary is typically in the mid $50,000.00 range. This depends, of course, on your job but it is a field that often has opportunity for overtime pay, specifically if you work in a hospital and medical benefits tend to be good to very good in this field as well. 

The Opportunities 

Because the field of medical imaging is a vast one, there are many different opportunities.  Trained x ray technicians can consider this to be a ‘portable’ career. Move to any city just about anywhere in the world and you should be able to find career opportunities. Because of the aging population and the technological advances, this is a field that is expected to continue to grow. 

You don’t have to learn the skills and do the same job indefinitely, either. The field of x ray technology also includes, MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging – which requires separate training and mammography, which covers mammograms. Some x ray technicians work in general departments whereas others take training for a specialty area such as: CT (cat scan), MRI, sonography, or Flouroscopy (for digestive systems), and other areas as well. 

Where can you find work? You can work in a diagnostic imaging laboratory, in a doctor’s office, in a hospital, in a dental office, to name a few options. In terms of career paths there are many opportunities for career growth due to emerging technology and the need for management in this field as well. It’s also a career choice that has a good degree of job security. 

Getting Trained 

How do you become trained to be an x ray tech? You’ll find many different x ray technician schools throughout the USA, Canada, and elsewhere of course. X ray technician schools have varied programs and you can learn in a traditional bricks and mortar classroom as well as through distance education which could help you do your x ray technician training both through online classes as well as in-person training.  

How long does x ray technician training take? Depending on the x ray tech school’s program, it could take on average of one to two years and if in a specialty, could take as long as four years. You may choose to get a certificate in x ray technology or a degree.   

Finding accredited x ray technician schools isn’t difficult. Use the internet to help you browse through websites for x ray tech schools and discover information about class options, curriculum, tuition, and even tuition payment assistance. If you find medical imaging fascinating and enjoy working with people, an x ray tech job could be perfect for you.

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