Radiology Students: Shades of Gray

hey all.  I'm considering a Rad-Tech program nearby and i'm wondering if you could give me some feedback:

best and worst parts about the job?

I did one semester of nursing school largely because I love the stability and the honest nature of medical work, but I got cold feet and withdrew from the program, afraid my weak stomach would overpower my natural tendency towards nurturing.  Radiology seems really cool, and I'm partially interested in it due to a prior interest in Anthropology (high tech non-invasive investigation techniques ftw!), so I'm wondering if ya'll could provide me with some feedback.  is this a computer/desk job?  how involved is the patient care?  do you feel respected by coworkers?  was it hard to find a job?  is an associate's degree enough to get work or do you really need a BS?  would you pick it again?  what would you do differently?

the program I'm looking at lets you pick up to 2 specialties, mammography, CT, MRI, and vascular systems.  which would you pick and why?

thanks!

Hey techs-

How's the job outlook at the facilities that you are at? Is there a hiring freeze at your spot? Has it been very slow?

The facility that I'm doing my clinicals at (600 bed hospital) has been slow, 2 people recently quit, and they're still "1.5" techs over their numbers.

Thanks ahead of time!

What kind of post-nominal letters do radiographers with an associates degree put after their names?

What about with a bachelors degree?

Hi, I am considering entering rad tech school and I guess I am just looking for advice.

I am at community college, and close to having my AA in art. My plan was to switch to an university to get my BFA. However, I am really, really tired of struggling financially. I do have a background in medical administrative support.

My college has a rad tech program. It is a 2-year program and although the idea of taking 2 more years away from getting my BFA, and still being poor then, really pains me, I am thinking of entering the program. Afterward I might go on to CT, sonography or MRI, but I'm trying not to think too far ahead.

I do realistically think that I could get my schooling entirely paid for via financial aid or scholarships. My main concern is spending all that time to get the degree, and then not being able to find a well-paying job afterward to justify it. I want a job that I can travel with, a job that I can use in any state or developed nation.

I am in Texas, but I'd like to hear from techs everywhere how much you like your job and why, also what you don't like about your job, what kind of pay scale a new tech can expect, how hard it is on your body (I have FMS), and if part-time positions are typically available (I would prefer to work part-time so I can finish my art degree). I appreciate any input you can give me.

Dr. Bushong (infamous for his physics text we all know and love) will be in the North Ft. Worth area on Saturday, May 9th, 2009.

Here's the email that was sent out by the education seminar sponsors:

-----------------------------

For the past seven years, Tarrant County College’s Radiologic Technology Program has sponsored an educational seminar for the technologists in the area.

This year we are adding a new component, a student forum. The student forum costs $10.00 (see attached brochure). Students can mail or fax the registration form. They can also register on-line at www.tccd.edu ( http://www.tccd.edu/ ), click on Continuing Education.

Dr. Stewart Bushong, author and lecturer is the special guest lecturer. He will be lecturing on Image Gently. Dr. Bushong will occupy the whole afternoon May 9, 2009, 1:00-4:00pm. This is the Saturday before final exams for most of us. This will be the perfect opportunity for your students to get some first hand information from the author himself. After the lecture, Dr. Bushong will entertain any thought provoking questions the audience can ask.

Dr. Bushong is truly hoping he will have a great turnout of students. Please encourage your students to participate in this forum. Encourage them to come out and come up with a question Dr. Stewart Bushong can’t answer.

I am looking forward to having you and your students join us.

Thank you,

Jeniesa F. Johnson, MS; RT(R); RDMS
Radiologic Technology Program
Tarrant County College-NE
828 Harwood Rd.
Hurst, Texas 76054
(817)515-6478
(817)515-6700 (fax)
jeniesa.johnson@tccd.edu

Hey all,

Could someone link where to find an exam logbook? I heard there was one published by either ASRT or ARRT but don't remember which one exactly. I've been keeping one casually through my clinicals but would like to get one that is more organized. Thanks!

Edit: Nevermind! I found it here:

Record of Required Clinical Competencies for Radiography Students - Log Book
https://www.asrt.org/applications/…

Sorry I'm so slow posting this... but things have been hectic!

Just wanted to let ya'll know I graduated last month and was lucky enough to schedule my test date for just a few days later. I was told over and over again not to wait too long after graduation to take the test. I was lucky enough to come out of there with a 92!!!!

I'll tell you this though.. as I finished the test, I was sooo scared to hit the submit button. I thought I'd failed!! That was the hardest test I've ever sat through. The only thing I studied was the materials I got from the seminar I attended at my school.

i highly recommend attending one of the Kettering Seminars. They have a website where you can either attend a live event or order the materials to study on your own. It was a definite confidence booster and I realized I remembered more than I thought I had. It also simplified physics!!

Good luck to ya'll!!

So I faced the test today, and stomped it down with a 97. "This score does not represent actual certification, please wait 4 weeks for your actual certification in the mail."

Yay!

Hi all,

I'm a second year student in rad tech in Ontario. I have spent some time in clinical practice and have pretty much decided that rad tech is not for me. It was exciting when I first started, but after the first week I was pretty comfortable and pretty bored. I felt like a robot taking pictures of the same thing over and over again. OK I agree that each patient is different but there really wasn't much to it once you've got them in the right position. It was too easy. Also I was unaware of the fact that you had to do fluoro before I got into the program (enemas + extra radiation did not make the job anymore appealing to me).

I was thinking to pursue MRI or Ultrasound after I've finished my program but I'm having a hard time figuring out which one to get into. The downside to the ultrasound program offered here is that it's a 2 yr full-time program while MRI is distance learning + 4 months of clinical practice. I have also heard from some rad techs that ultrasound wears down the wrists and shoulders and after 8 years many sonographers stop working. Has anyone else ever heard about this? I have met sonographers who've been working for well over 8 yrs, granted they only did breast ultrasounds. I'm leaning towards ultrasound because I think the work will be more fulfilling to me (increased interaction with pts, making notes for the radiologist, etc). So my questions for you guys are:

a. Do ultrasound techs have higher compensation than MRI techs? And if so, on average how much?
b. What is the longevity of a sonographer's career? Do they usually switch out due to wrist and shoulder problems?
c. If there are any MRI techs in here, what do you guys like about your job? What's your salary like?
d. Maybe I haven't had enough experience in rad tech yet, so for the rad techs who've been working for a while, what do you guys like about your job? How do you feel about it after so many years of doing it? Do you find your work fulfilling?

So I'm poking around in different places and should have looked into this community earlier!

I'd thought I'd stop by and say hi, introduce myself, and maybe ask some questions if anyone in this community is still active.

I've been a LJ poster for a few years now but only started a 2 year Rad tech program in the spring. I'm currently in the middle of my 2nd semester, and hoping (and praying) I don't keel over!

I have a nice physics questions for all you pros and survivors of the program.

Thanks <3