| Enrolling in a radiology program to become a certified | | | | are the fields or MRI, CT scan and mammography. |
| radiologist can provide an individual with a large number | | | | MRI, or magnetic resonance imagery, involves using |
| of long-term career options. By going into specialized | | | | non-ionizing radio frequencies to generate a |
| fields of radiology, through continued education, a | | | | three-dimensional image of a portion of a patient's |
| radiology student is able to find opportunities in the | | | | anatomy. A CT scan, or computerized tomography |
| growing field of radiology through programs that are | | | | scan, also creates a three-dimensional image for |
| open only to graduates. The basic career opportunities | | | | diagnostic and treatment purposes. Mammography |
| available to radiologist lie in the areas of diagnostic | | | | utilizes x-ray imagery to help diagnose cancerous |
| medical sonography, x ray imaging and general | | | | growth in breast tissue and indicate treatment. |
| radiology. However, higher education opens up a | | | | Mammography usually required extended education |
| number of option for new radiology technicians in a | | | | into the areas of mammography and pathology. |
| number of settings such a private practice, diagnostic | | | | Radiology technicians can find rewarding careers in |
| laboratories, ambulatory health care facilities and | | | | mammography, cardiology and obstetrics/gynecology |
| nursing homes. | | | | as an ultrasound technician. There are many other |
| Career opportunities are greatest for radiologists who | | | | areas where there is a high demand for radiology |
| choose to specialize in a specific field or radiology. | | | | technicians, too. Many private physicians use radiology |
| Getting certification in basic radiology will allow the | | | | in their private practices to help diagnose illnesses and |
| student to be able to later focus solely on his or her | | | | injuries. |
| chosen area of expertise in the field of radiology. | | | | The pay for qualified radiologists varies. The Bureau of |
| Through ongoing education and additional coursework, | | | | Labor Statistics list the median annual income for |
| a technician may be able to move on from simple | | | | radiology technicians at $40,000. The middle 50% of |
| radiology to more advanced career goals, such as | | | | incomes for radiologists range between $32,00 and |
| obtaining a position in nuclear medicine or diagnostic | | | | $46,000 per year. On the high end, some radiology |
| imagery. Radiologists can obtain positions as medical | | | | technicians make salaries in the neighborhood of |
| sonographers, cardiovascular technicians and x-ray | | | | $55,400 annually. The top 10% of earners in radiology |
| technicians. | | | | make even more than that. |
| The three areas of greatest demand within radiology | | | | |