Friday, August 28, 2009

Radiologic Technologist Salary

If you are on this site, that means you are probably considering a new career as a radiologic technologist. Of course, with any new career, and in fact, with any major change in your life, there are questions to answer: am I qualified? Is this right for me? What is the long-term potential of this field? All of these are valid questions. The field of radiologic technology is growing, and there is no better time to start exploring this field.

Why Should I Become A Radiologic Technologist Today?

According to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists:

A career in radiologic technology can lead in many directions. Demand for radiologic technologists is strong across the country, in every health care setting. You could work in a large hospital, a suburban outpatient clinic or a rural physician's office. You could specialize in dozens of clinical areas ranging from prenatal care to orthopedics. You could be responsible for quality assurance or for overseeing the implementation of new technology. You could manage an entire radiology department, including its budget and personnel. Or you could teach. The boundaries of your career in radiologic technology are determined only by your own abilities and interests.

Source: https://www.asrt.org/content/recruitmentretention/career_brochure.aspx
As you can see, not only are there many options within this field, but also much demand out there for radiologic technologists. The trend towards more and more imaging in medicine will continue unabated for some time to come, as doctors discover more powerful ways to make diagnoses earlier and more accurately. However, to facilitate these diagnoses, radiologic technologists are going to be needed in great numbers. This is reflected in the compensation for radiologic technologists.


How Much Can Radiologic Technologists Expect To Make In 2009?

While there is a wide range of salaries based on location and experience, the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that:
Median annual earnings of radiologic technologists were $48,170 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $39,840 and $57,940. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,750, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $68,920. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of radiologic technologists in 2006 were:

Medical and diagnostic laboratories $51,280
General medical and surgical hospitals 48,830
Offices of physicians 45,500

Source: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos105.htm#earnings
To put these numbers in perspective, starting resident physicians earn on average between $35,000 and $50,000 depending on location and specialty. The technologists are making more on average than the resident doctors! This amount of compensation should indicate the relative importance the healthcare system places on radiologic technologists. So, stop doubting and start exploring today!

Friday, August 21, 2009

What Is A Fluoroscopy Radiologic Technologist?

Recently, a list of fluoroscopy radiology training programs was posted on this site. However, the concept of a fluoroscopy radiologic technologist was not well explained. This post aims to clarify what the role and responsibilities of this position are as well as discuss possible future avenues for the field.

What is a fluoroscopy radiologic technologist?

The question is not a simple one to answer. Like a diagnostic radiology technician, they assist radiologists in producing imaging of patients. However, fluoroscopy typically involves using a radio-opaque contrast inside the gastrointestinal tract in order to visualize pathology. Specifically, the patient is asked to ingest a white, not-too-pleasant tasting substance, and then is placed on tilt table on which they can be swiveled and rotated while images are taken. The rotations help the dye move within the GI tract and produce the appropriate image. Contrast can also be introduced per rectum.

What is the role of a fluoroscopy radiologic technologist during these procedures?

The technologist will be responsible for preparing the contrast medium, as well as prepping the patient for the procedure. They may also be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the equipment used within the fluoroscopy suite. However, the future for fluoroscopy radiologic technologists may be changing. A recent study in the American Journal of Roentgenology looked at the possibility of having technologists acquiring the images themselves, without the involvement of radiologists. Here is what the study showed:

RESULTS. For the double-contrast barium enema examinations, no statistically significant differences were found between the technologists and residents for amount of barium used, degree of distention, cecal opacification, and quality of spot radiographs. The technologist-performed examinations had a statistically significant lower mean fluoroscopy time (3.2 min, compared with 4.0 min for staff radiologists and 5.7 min for residents). For the esophagrams, no statistically significant differences between technologists and residents were found for single-contrast esophagrams; radiographs of the gastric cardia; assessment of motility, reflux, and transit of a solid bolus; and fluoroscopy time. Double-contrast esophagrams obtained by technologists received a better mean score than did those of the residents.

CONCLUSION. Radiology technologists can be trained to perform high-quality esophagography and double-contrast barium enema examinations without an unacceptably high radiation dose.

Source: http://www.ajronline.org/cgi/content/full/175/5/1449

Based on these results, it is important to acquire the best training possible in order to be able to take advantage of such opportunities, should they ever present themselves. Taking on more responsibilities in general translates to not only higher compensation but also increased job security. Although the fluoro suite may be dark, the future for fluoroscopy radiologic technologists looks bright.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Radiologic Technologist Limited Permit Training Programs In California

Not interested in diagnostic radiology training, therapeutic radiology training, or even fluoroscopic radiology training? Consider an x ray technician limited permit training program! Check out this list below, from the California Society of Radiologic Technologists site:

Cabrillo College
6500 Soquel Drive
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 477-3225

California College of San Diego
2820 Camino del Rio South, Suite 300
San Diego, CA 92108
(619)295-5785

Career Care Institute, Lancaster
43770 15th Street West, Suite 205
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661)942-6204

Career Care Institute, Ventura
1730 South Victoria Avenue, Suite 230
Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 477-0660

Central California School of Continuing Education
3195 McMillian Avenue, Suite F
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805)543-9123

Central California School of Continuing Education
271 Ott Street, Suite 23
Corona, CA 92882
(951)549-0693


East Los Angeles Education and Career Center
2100 Marengo Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323)223-1283

Marie College - North Hollywood Campus
6180 Laural Canyon Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91606
(818)763-2563

Marie College North County Campus
2022 University Drive
Vista, CA 92083
(760) 305-0275

Medical Career College of Northern California
4441 Auburn Boulevard, Suite H
Sacramento, CA 95841
(916)972-7105

Modern Technology School
16560 Harbor Boulevard
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
(714)418-9100

Simi Valley Adult School
1880 Blackstock St.
Simi Valley, CA 93065
(805) 579-6200

Technical Career Institute
23591 El Toro Road, Suite 108
Lake Forest, CA 92630
(949) 472-4691


Source: http://www.csrt.org/schools.pdf

Friday, August 7, 2009

Fluoroscopic Radiology Technologist Training Programs In California

Two recent posts listed the diagnostic radiology technologist training programs in California as well as the therapeutic radiology training programs in California.

Here are the fluoroscopic radiology technologist training programs in California from the file posted on the California Society of Radiologic Technologists site:

City College of San Francisco
50 Phelan Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94112
(415)239-3458

California State University Long Beach
1250 Beilflower Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90840
(562) 985-7507

City of Hope
1500 East Duarte Road
Duarte, CA 91010
(626)301-8247




Foothill College
12345 El Monte Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
(650) 949-7595

Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Services
938 Marina Way South
Richmond, CA 94804
(510)231-5062

Loma Linda University Medical Center
11234 Anderson Street
Loma Linda, CA 92354
(909) 558-4000



FLUOROSCOPY RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY

Bakersfield College
1801 Panorama Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93305
(661) 395-4284

Cabrillo College
6500 Soquel Drive
Aptos, CA 95003
(831)479-5056

Chaffey Community College
5885 Haven Avenue
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737
(909)652-7603

City College of San Francisco
50 Phelan Avenue, Box S 69
San Francisco, CA 94112
(415)239-3431

Cypress College
9200 Valley View Street
Cypress, CA 90630
(714) 484-7000

Foothill College
12345 El Monte Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
(650) 949-7595

Fresno City College
1101 East University Avenue
Fresno, CA 93741
(559) 244-2604

Los Angeles City College
855 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 953-4000

Merritt College
12500 Campus Drive
Oakland, CA 94619
(510)436-2427

Mt. San Antonio College
1100 North Grand Avenue
Walnut, CA 91789
(909)594-5611

Orange Coast College
2701 Fairview Road
Costa Mesa, CA 92628
(714)432-5540

Santa Rosa Junior College
1501 Mendocino Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707)527-4011

Merced College
3600 M Street
Merced, CA 95348
(209) 384-6309

Canada College
4200 Farm Hill Blvd.
Redwood City
94061
(650) 306-3283

Loma Linda University Medical Center
11234 Anderson Street
Loma Linda, CA 92354
(909) 558-4000

Education Seminars for Today's Radiographers
20320 Cedarcreek Street
Canyon Country, CA 91351
(909) 558-4931

Fluoroscopy Fundamentals
8 Morella
Foothill Ranch, CA 92610
(949) 455-9854

RAD Tech Advancements
11865 Volver Avenue
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-1340

Long Beach City College
4901 East Carson Street
Long Beach, CA 90808
(562)938-4176

Pasadena City College
1570 East Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 585-7323

San Diego Mesa College
7250 Mesa College Drive
San Diego, CA 92111
(619)388-2666

San Joaquin General Hospital
P.O Box 1020
Stockton, CA 95201
(209) 468-6233

Yuba College
2088 North Beale Road
Marysville, CA 95901
(530) 741-6700

Mills-Peninsula Health Services School of Diagnostic Imaging
501 Trousdale Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010
(650)696-5519

Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Services
938 Marina Way South
Richmond, CA 94804
(510)231-5062

Santa Barbara City College
721 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93109
(805) 965-0581

Los Angeles County Harbor - UCLA Medical Center
1000 West Carson Street
Torrrance, CA 90509
(310)222-2825

Central California School of Continuing Education
3195 McMillan Avenue, Suite F
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805)543-9123

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
400 North Pepper Avenue
Colton, CA 92324
(909) 580-3540

Moorpark College
7075 Campus Road
Moorpark, CA 93021
(805) 378-1400

Pima Medical Institute
780 Bay Boulevard
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619)425-3200

El Camino College
16007 Crenshaw Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90506
(310) 660-3247

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
1731 East 120th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90059
(323) 563-5835

Marie College -North Hollywood
6180 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Suite 101
North Hollywood, CA 91606
(818)763-2563

East Los Angeles Education and Career Center
2100 Marengo Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 223-1283


Source: http://www.csrt.org/schools.pdf