What can you do with an associates degree in radiology

Radiographer

Certification Requirements:

Most employers require certification as a radiographer by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). State licensure may be required.

Educational Programs:

• 4 year baccalaureate degree program
• 2 year associate degree program
• 2 year hospital certificate program

Career Opportunities: Career opportunities vary at this level. Positions are available in hospitals, imaging centers, private medical offices, sales, research, and commercial areas.

Computed Tomography (CT) Technologist

Computed tomography (CT) technologists are responsible for taking detailed cross sectional images of the internal structures of the human body. They are able to do this with advanced computerized x-ray equipment. These members of the healthcare team work closely with radiologists to provide radiographic studies that assist with patient diagnosis and treatment.

Certification Requirements
This is not an entry-level position. Courses are available through community colleges and commercial sources that give specialized training in CT scanning. This training prepares certified radiographers for an advanced certification test in CT scanning administered by the ARRT. Most employers require, as a minimum, certification as a radiographer by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). State licensure may be required.

Education Programs
On the job training is often offered to experienced medical radiographers who exhibit competence in their field and have a genuine desire to learn and advance their careers. This is usually a career ladder position for those who have worked as a radiographer.

Career Opportunities: Opportunities for CT technologists are available in hospitals, imaging centers, mobile imaging companies, sales, applications, and marketing.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

A diagnostic medical sonographer combines creativity with advanced knowledge of human anatomy and advanced ultrasound imaging equipment to produce images of the human body. Sonographers use high frequency sound waves (much like sonar) to demonstrate body structures and organs. These images assist the physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. The sonographer must be able to work independently to provide high
quality images. Experience in radiologic technology is often desired by employers. Employees who exhibit competence in their current area of specialization may be trained on the job.

Certification Requirements
Most employers require certification from the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). Specific requirements for certification may be obtained by contacting:

ARDMS
51 Monroe Street, Plaza East One
Rockville, MD 20850-2400
Phone: (800) 541-9754
www.ardms.org

Education Programs

• 4 year baccalaureate degree program
• 2 year associate degree program
• 1 year certificate program

A list of educational programs can be obtained through the Society of Diagnostic Medical
Sonographers (SDMS):
2745 N. Dallas Pkwy, Suite 350
Plano, TX 75093-8730
Phone: (800) 229-9506
www.sdms.org

Career Opportunities: Career opportunities are available in hospitals, imaging centers, educational institutions, private medical offices, clinical research labs, sales and marketing. Sonographers may work in departments of radiology, cardiology, obstetrics, and vascular imaging.

Mammographer

Certification Requirements
Most employers require advanced certification in mammography by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). State licensure may be required.

Educational Programs
This is not an entry-level position and experience in radiologic technology, sonography, or ultrasound is often required. Courses are available through community colleges and commercial sources that give specialized training in mammography. This training prepares certified radiographers for an advanced certification test in mammography, administered by the ARRT.

Employees who exhibit competence in their current area of specialization may be trained on the job.

Career Opportunities: Career opportunities are available in hospitals, imaging centers, educational institutions, private medical offices, clinical research labs, sales, and marketing.

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Nuclear medicine technologists are specialized members of the imaging healthcare team. They perform procedures that analyze both the anatomy and physiology of the human body. These procedures involve administering a radioactive drug to the patient and then analyzing the distribution and concentration of that radioactive drug with gamma cameras. Nuclear medicine technologists also administer radioactive drugs to treat certain cancers.

Some nuclear medicine technologists specialize in a clinical area called positron emission tomography (PET). Technologists specializing in PET operate a special imaging device that produces 3-D images of the human body.

Certification Requirements
Most employers require certification by a national credentialing body, either the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or the Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board (NMTCB). In many instances state licensure may also be required.

Education Programs

• 4 year baccalaureate degree program
• 2 year associate degree program
• 2 year hospital-based certificate program
• 1 year certificate program (after training in a related field)

Career Opportunities: Career opportunities are available in hospitals, imaging centers, educational institutions, private medical offices, clinical research labs, sales, and marketing.

Certification Requirements
Most employers require certification as a radiographer by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). State licensure and advanced certification may be required.

Education Programs
This is not an entry-level position and experience in radiologic technology is often required. Courses are available through community colleges and commercial sources that give specialized training in MRI scanning. This training  prepares certified radiographers for an advanced certification test in MRI scanning, administered by the ARRT.

Employees who exhibit competence in their current area of specialization may be trained on the job.

Career Opportunities:  Opportunities for MRI technologists are available in hospitals, imaging centers, mobile imaging companies, sales, applications, and marketing.

Special Prodecure Technologist

Special procedure technologists work closely with physicians in evaluating and treating certain diseases. They use specialized x-ray equipment to study the blood vessels of the body. These technologists also assist physicians who perform procedures to widen narrowed blood vessels. This fast-paced specialty requires quick and sometimes
independent thinking and an advanced knowledge of human anatomy. The technologist must also be able to handle sophisticated x-ray, computer, image processing, and patient -monitoring equipment.

Certification Requirements
Most employers require certification as a radiographer by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). State licensure may be required.

Education Programs

• Three month to one year certificate programs are available to those individuals who are trained and certified as radiographers.
• On the job training as part of a career ladder program is often available for experienced radiographers displaying a desire to advance and learn new technologies.

Advanced Certifications

Many employers require advanced certification by accrediting body (eg, ARRT) in specialty if applicable.

Career Opportunities:  Opportunities as a special procedure technologist are available mainly in a hospital setting. Special procedure technologists may also work in sales, applications, marketing, or on mobile van systems.

Radiation Therapist

The radiation therapist is responsible for treating patients with a radiation beam or source. This healthcare professional will also assist the radiation oncologist with the set up and dosage that the patient will receive during the treatment. Radiation therapy patients are treated for cancer, and the therapist who works with the patients usually develops a special, supportive relationship with the patient and family members. Radiation therapists must possess a high degree of sensitivity and caring in addition to excellent technical skills.

Certification Requirements

Most employers require certification in radiation therapy by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). State licensure may also be required.

Education Programs

• 4 year baccalaureate degree program
• 2 - 3 year associate degree program with special consideration given to registered radiologic technologists
• 2 year hospital based certificate program
• 1 year certificate program after completion of an American Medical Association certified radiography program
• Currently the following programs are available; however, it is possible that in the future, a baccalaureate
  degree will be required.

Career Opportunities:  Areas of opportunities include hospitals, freestanding clinics, research, sales, and marketing.

Radiology Nurse

Certification Requirements
This is not an entry-level position. Most employers require certification in critical care, advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), and conscious sedation.

Education Programs

• 4 year baccalaureate degree program (nursing science)
• 3 year degree program
• 2 year associate degree program

Career Opportunities:  Opportunities for radiology nurses are available in hospitals, imaging centers, sales, applications, and marketing.

Certification Requirements
This is not an entry-level position. Some experienced employees who exhibit competence in computers may be trained and promoted. Most employers require computer training and/or radiology experience.

Educational Programs

• 4 year baccalaureate degree program (computer science)
• 2 year associate degree program (computer science)
• Vendor training

Career Opportunities: Opportunities for RIS specialists are available in hospitals, imaging centers, sales, applications, and marketing.

Picture Archival and Communication Systems (PACS) Administrator

Picture archival and communication systems (PACS) administrators are responsible for implementing, maintaining, and updating radiologic PACS. Working with radiology staff, they oversee the computer systems that provide images and information about patient exams, results, and histories. PACS connect to different radiographic and
imaging equipment and make images produced on that equipment available to authorized users.

Certification Requirements

This is not an entry-level position. Some experienced employees who exhibit competence in computers may be trained and promoted. Most employers require computer training and/or radiology experience.

Education Programs

• 4 year baccalaureate degree program (computer science)
• 2 year associates degree program (computer science)

Career Opportunities

Opportunities for PACS administrators are available in hospitals, imaging centers, sales, applications, and marketing.

Certification Requirements
This is not an entry-level position and certification as a radiographer by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is required. State licensure may be required. This training prepares certified radiographers for an advanced certification test to obtain RA certification, administered by the ARRT.

Education Programs

• 4 year baccalaureate degree program
• 2 year associate degree program
• 2 year hospital certificate program

Career Opportunities: Opportunities for RAs are available in hospitals, imaging centers, sales, applications, and marketing.

Certification Requirements
This is not an entry-level position. Most employers require certification as a radiographer by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). State licensure may be required. Must be a graduate of a Certification Board for Radiology Practitioner Assistants (CBRPA) recognized educational program and successfully pass the CBPRA
certification exam. Specific requirements for certification may be obtained by contacting CBRPA:

225 Dupont St, P.O. Box 1626,
Lander, WY 82520
Phone: (307) 335-5201
www.cbrpa.org

Education Programs:

• 4 year baccalaureate degree program
• 2 year associate degree program
• 2 year hospital certificate program

Career Opportunities:  Opportunities for RPAs are available in hospitals, imaging centers, sales, applications, and marketing.

Management/Education/Marketing

Radiologic technologists may also progress to different levels of opportunity in the areas of education, management, and marketing. Positions are available as department directors and supervisors as well as education program directors. Some may choose to seek positions using their imaging experience in sales, marketing, or consulting with a medical oriented business.

Others who gain a bachelors degree and go on to pursue a masters degree in health administration may choose to seek a position as a hospital administrator, a vice president in a hospital, or a manager of a business for radiologists. Most people in management positions hire and supervise all non-physician employees. They develop strategic plans, prepare budgets, and investigate and implement future technologies. Most universities require radiology educators who teach on a bachelors level (or higher) and have a masters in education and/or masters
in radiology science. This is also a new requirement for all radiology technology program directors.

Educational Programs

• Masters in business administration, masters in health administration, master of science in radiologic science administration and/or education
• 4 year baccalaureate degree program
• 2 year associate degree program
• 2 year hospital based certificate program
• Many careers are based on a minimum baccalaureate degree with experience in an area of special interests

For information about becoming a Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) or for job listings, contact:

AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management
490-B Boston Post Road, Suite 200
Sudbury, MA 01776
(800) 334-2472
www.crainfo.org
www.ahraonline.org

Career Opportunities:  Several career levels exist depending on education and experience. Positions are available in hospitals, private businesses, large corporations, research, and colleges.

For more information, see our presentation "Medical Imaging Management: A Career Path."

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