An x-ray technician is a trained health care worker, with specific skills in the area of manipulating x-ray equipment to take inside pictures of the body so that diseases, conditions, or injury can be visualized and diagnosed. In this growing field, most x-ray techs train for a year or two prior to working in a variety of locations. Training in this field most often occurs at trade schools. Usually an x-ray technician is trained to spot problems that require emergency treatment and will notify a radiologist immediately if a serious problem exists. The one thing an x-ray technician cannot do under virtually all circumstances is to discuss findings of an x-ray with a patient. This is the work of a radiologist, doctor, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner. A skilled x-ray technician may be able to spot potential problems on x-ray images, but their role is not to interpret and discuss results with patients. Patients receiving x-rays should respect these health professionals by not asking them about results or treatment. Instead, ask the x-ray technician when a radiologist or doctor will read the films, and when they can expect to hear from a radiologist or doctor about the results.
TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION
There are formal trainings for one to become an xray technician but before entering in this field of work, one must consider if he/she is well-suited for the job. It is not just a simple job because certain complications considering health might occur. In order to train formally, one must finish high school or get a high school diploma. There are programs that last for 1 year with a maximum of 4 years. A person may graduate from a radiologic program and become an x-ray technician with an associate’s degree, which requires about two years of training. While this is a common choice for many who pursue this career, it is not the only path to this job; there are also training programs that grant certificates of completion and bachelor’s degrees.
X-RAY TECH SCHOOLS
There are schools/colleges that offers xray technician trainings or courses. Among the top listed schools are South University, Virginia college, American Intercontinental College, Rasmussen College, and Ashford University. These schools also offer trainings through online which gives oppurtunities for interested applicants which have limited resources and availability.
SALARIES AND BENEFITS
Although being an x-ray technician requires skillful training, it gives good salary in return. An hourly rate of an x-ray technician averages from $16 – $23, with an overtime pay which reaches to $22 – $35. But also, a person must consider the health risk that an x-ray technician mught encounter. So before deciding, one should balnce the situations and circumstances.
