By Craig Shephard, National Dean of Radiologic Technology at Fortis
Thinking about a career in radiologic technology? If you’re the type who enjoys being on the cutting edge of technology and working with the latest advances in health care, then there’s a good chance you’ll be interested in learning more about this exciting career.
As a radiologic technologist, or “rad tech,” you’d be part of a growing profession necessary for performing the ever-increasing medical imaging procedures prescribed each year. A vital team member who would work with physicians, nurses, and other patient care staff, you might assist in diagnosing broken bones or detecting cancer and other diseases. Once your work is done, physicians are better able to determine the optimum treatment for improving patients’ lives.
You’ll find that you feel better too, knowing you played a role in helping others. But it doesn’t stop there! A career in radiologic technology can also improve your life by providing you with a host of exciting professional opportunities. Once you become a certified radiologic technologist, you’ll be qualified to work in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals in metropolitan, suburban, or rural areas, outpatient imaging centers, and physicians’ offices. If you wish, you could specialize in particular patient care areas…from pediatrics and surgery to orthopedics.
With additional training and education, you might specialize in advanced imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine (NM), and mammography. You also may pursue additional education and training to become a radiologist assistant or radiation therapist. Other options could include managing a radiology department, teaching, or research. As you can see, the opportunities available to radiologic technologists are plentiful. If you’d like to learn more about this rewarding career, check out the rad tech material provided online at www.fortis.edu.
