| A Radiologic technologist performs all types of imaging | | | | radiographers are required to stand for long periods, lift |
| procedures, most commonly x-rays. They also | | | | and turn disabled patients, and move heavy equipment. |
| administer non-radioactive isotopes known as contrast | | | | Full time x-ray technologists are required to work for |
| media for diagnostic purposes. Radiologic technologists | | | | about 40+ hours a week, part time and shift work |
| are also known as radiographers or x-ray techs. They | | | | opportunities are also available. Most of the employers |
| provide a high standard of patient care, prepare | | | | prefer to hire technologists with formal training. It is |
| patients for examinations, and explain procedures. | | | | mandatory by law to be certified to work as radiologic |
| Radiologic technologists have a thorough understanding | | | | technologist and in 2007, 40 states required licensure |
| of anatomy, positioning, radiographic exposure, patient | | | | for practicing. The ARRT (American Registry of |
| care and radiation protection. | | | | Radiologic Technologists) offers voluntary certification. |
| Radiologic technologists follow physician's orders and | | | | Radiographers are primarily employed with hospitals, |
| conform to the regulations concerning the use of | | | | followed by physician offices, medical laboratories, |
| radiation to protect themselves, the patients and co | | | | outpatient imaging centers and government agencies. |
| workers. With experience radiographers perform | | | | Radiologic technologists held approximately 196,000 |
| complex procedures such as fluoroscopy, which is a | | | | jobs in 2006 and their employment rate is expected to |
| real time x-ray procedure used by physicians. | | | | grow by another 15 to 20% by 2016. The average |
| Radiologic technologists can also specialize either in | | | | median annual earnings for a radiologic technologist |
| computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance | | | | was $48,170 in 2006. |
| imaging (MRI). CT scans use ionizing radiation, while | | | | Radiographers with expertise in multiple diagnostic |
| MRI scans use non-ionizing radio frequency to | | | | imaging modalities are likely to have better |
| generate images. Radiographers may also specialize in | | | | employment opportunities and with experience the |
| mammography, angiography, surgery, trauma, and | | | | likelihood of being promoted to supervisor, chief |
| bone density to name a few. | | | | technologist and finally the department director. |
| This profession requires good physical stamina, as | | | | |