Explore Education Options In Radiology

Getting started in the field of radiology starts with a formal education from an accredited college or university that is approved through JRCERT, which stands for the Joint Review Committee for Education in Radiologic Technology. JRCERT is the organization that determines which programs are accredited and recognized in the radiology community as meeting national standards. This is important because if you plan to earn the designation of Radiologic Technologist, or RT, you will need to become certified through the ARRT, American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. In order to be eligible to take the test administered by the ARRT, you will need to complete your training through a program that is recognized by JRCERT. If you are looking for enough training to become a non-certified X-Ray Technician, you may not need to worry about these standards.

You can choose to complete a certificate, associates, or bachelors degree program for your formal education. The associates degree is currently the most commonly pursued program and usually only takes two academic years of training. Becoming a Radiologic Technologist is a good option for those who don't want to pursue a four year degree, but still want a career oriented job with strong compensation. Medical imaging jobs are becoming popular because of the high demand for them and the short time it takes to complete an associates degree. Upon completion of the program, it is highly recommended that you register to take the ARRT exam in order to gain the designation of Radiologic Technologist. The difference between a technologist and technician is an important distinction; the RT designation tells a prospective employer that you have completed stringent national requirements in that you have a higher level of knowledge and skill. While it is certainly respectable to pursue enough training to become a technician, you may be limited in the types of radiology positions you can apply for.

Another option is to pursue a certificate program, but if you want to become an RT, you will want to be sure that the program is accredited through JRCERT. A certificate program will be much more condensed and often takes between nine months to one year to complete. For those who need to complete their training in a shorter period of time, a certificate can be an appropriate option.

Pursuing a bachelors or masters degree is often only pursued by those looking for management positions or for those who want to pursue a role as a Radiologist Assistant. If you want to become a Radiologist Assistant, a masters degree will be required.

The good news is that getting an entry level position in radiology takes a short period of time relative to many other positions in health care. In addition, there are several online programs available for those who have some work experience, but want to pursue additional education and training.

By: Jonathan Conrad

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To learn more about a radiology associates degree, visit Radiology-Schools.com.