X-ray Technician or Radiology

Katnip, RN · Jun 3, 2003

My son is going to college next year for x-ray technician. He'll start his pre-reqs in the spring. (Providing he stays straight) Each school is a bit different.

X-ray techs take two years to complete school. I don't know if they have 4-year degrees or not. Even the universities here offer only two-years.

As far as radiology nurse, I don't know.

fulwood · Jun 3, 2003

go to arrt.org for info on radiologic technologist career.

disher · Jun 4, 2003

X-ray techs, radiology nurses and anyone else working in areas of radiation exposure wear lead aprons and are taught how to minimize their exposure. Also they wear dosimeter badges, the badges have an insert that tracks radiation exposure levels. The insert is sent to a federal monitoring agency and the wearer's radiation exposure is monitored throughout their lifetime. There is a set level that one can safely be exposed to over the course of a lifetime and if the level is coming close to unsafe the tech is moved away from areas of exposure. Since occupational health and safety regulations are stringent I would not let it deter me from considering x-ray tech as a career if I were thinking of it.

As far as radiology nurses I think they assist in procedures that require radiographic visualization (like inserting central lines), but I believe if you do a google search under radiology nurses you'll find a better description.

healingtouchRN · Jun 4, 2003

rad. RN's asst with set up for non invasice & invasive procedures requiring cineangiograms (films) such as special procedures, & cardiac cath lab.

My hospital has a two year RT program & an ultrasound program, but the U/S program has a prereq of either an RT completion, an RN, or two years of undergrad work. The U/S program is about 1 year. After completion they take exams for Registry. Additional exams can be taken for certifications.

A fine career choice if I say so myself!

ogden2k · Jun 25, 2003

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm still not satisfied yet. I went to a hospital near me and asked if I could do a job shadow with an X-Ray tech, but they're not doing any job shadows during the summer. So, that kinda hurts me a little. I'll have to check out another hospital, it's not the greatest, but I guess I'll still get some experience.

manna, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2003

Originally posted by ogden2k
I am looking at my options in the medical field and I was wondering about being an X-ray technician. What are the job requirements of an X-ray technician and also are you exposed to any radiation?

Check out the x-ray tech boards at http://www.radiography.com or http://www.auntminnie.com

I actually applied to my school's x-ray tech program for the fall and was accepted, but I'm not going (to be able) to go.