Rad techs (radiologic technologists) are irreplaceable in the world of patient care. Not only is a rad tech involved in life-saving diagnoses and treatments, but they also uphold important healthcare safety protocols.
Radiologic technology is a field many people never know about. And that’s such a shame because it makes a truly awesome career choice. There is so much opportunity in this healthcare career. According to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists® (ARRT®), radiologic technologists represent the third largest group of healthcare professionals.
If you haven't yet considered working as a radiologic technologist—now is a great time!
Here are 8 reasons rad tech makes a great career choice
Rad techs take images to help doctors diagnose and treat diseases and injuries.1
If you had to boil the career down to one description, that would be the main thing to capture. But if you zoom in on what a radiologic technologist (not radiologic technician—it's a common confusion!) really does, the picture gets very interesting.
1. Diagnostic imaging is actually fascinating to learn and perform
A rad tech needs specific training to perform X-rays and other imaging procedures. This training will shift depending on which branch of radiology the technologist intends to go for, and which part of the human body might be involved.
For example, mammograms (often used to detect breast cancer) use a specific imaging technique and a unique machine, and the field of mammography involves learning about breast tissue and the imaging process specific to that area of the body.
For more on that, check out Radiologic Technologist Mammography—A Specialty That's Saving Lives.
The foundational education in radiologic technology will include...
- Anatomy
- Positioning patients
- Examination techniques
- Equipment protocols
- Radiation safety and protection
- Patient care
- Professionalism and more!
2. Your empathy and compassion could be someone’s lifeline
In addition to performing noninvasive imaging techniques and X-ray examinations, a radiologic technologist works with patients as part of a larger healthcare team.
For example, rad techs may assist physicians in performing invasive procedures, or they may administer therapeutic doses of radiation to treat cancer, depending on their chosen career paths.
This is definitely a patient-facing role. You might be assisting people through scans and imaging procedures when they are afraid or in pain. Maybe a patient is here to confirm the presence of terminal cancer. Maybe you will be working with children.
As a registered radiologic technologist, you have the opportunity every day to treat patients with compassion. Your warmth, professionalism and kindness can make a huge difference in their experience.
3. The radiologic technology field shows strong signs of growth
Job security is an important part in any career decision. And it's one of the main reasons people look into healthcare careers. Afterall, healthcare is something humans will always need.
How does that play out for rad techs? Over 122 billion diagnostic imaging exams were performed in the United States in 2022, including radiographic, fluoroscopic, and specialty procedures.2 Reports estimate that the number is projected to increase to 221 billion by 2031.2
And, as you might have guessed, radiologic technologists are responsible for performing these procedures.
Consequently, job openings may be on the rise, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Data indicates that employment of radiologic technologists and technicians will increase by 6% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations.3 That’s fantastic news for anyone thinking about becoming a rad tech!
4. A rad tech can work in many settings—or they can even travel!
There are many workplace options for a radiologic technologist, including hospitals, physician’s offices, outpatient centers, and laboratories.
Radiology also has travel opportunities; you can work somewhere new every 3 to 6 months through specific travel agencies. These companies provide you with lodging, travel and benefits in addition to your hourly wage. Some even allow you to become a permanent employee if you find the place of your dreams.
But no matter the location, the work includes performing procedures and patient care.
5. You have choices in your work schedule
When it comes to the medical imaging profession, work weeks are never “one-size-fits-all.” A radiologic technologist can work 8-hour shifts in clinics Monday through Friday or they can work in hospitals for 10- or 12-hour shifts.
Depending on your situation and your work-life balance needs, you can also choose to work weekends or night shifts, or you can even be on-call.
6. If there's something you especially like, specialize in it!
A radiologic technologist may practice general radiography or specialize in a certain imaging technique. Some examples of specialty areas in this field include:
- Bone densitometry
- Cardiac or vascular interventional radiography
- Computed tomography (CT)
- Mammography
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Nuclear medicine
- Sonography
Alternatively, radiologic technologists may choose to specialize in radiation therapy, which is the application of radiation to treat cancer and other diseases. Radiation therapists and medical dosimetrists are examples of technologists in this line of work.
A rad tech can even choose which types of patients they prefer to work with. Geriatrics, pediatrics and orthopedics are just some examples of the options available. There are also opportunities to work with ER trauma patients or in the operating room, if that’s what you prefer.
The best part is that you never have to be bored, because every patient brings a new challenge.
7. Rad techs only need an Associate’s degree, so you can get started sooner
Becoming a radiologic technologist requires an Associate degree.4 Students can complete Rasmussen’s associate’s degree program in as few as 24 months.5
That means becoming a radiologic technologist and passing the certification exam could take less time than earning a bachelor’s degree would. Rasmussen’s Rad Tech program helps prepare students for the ARRT®’s certification exam.
After being in the profession for a while, there are opportunities to transition to roles in management or education. These positions usually require a minimum number of years in the profession and advanced degrees.
A manager may start as a small group supervisor and increase to overseeing an entire department. On the other hand, an educator could be an instructor, clinical coordinator or program director. Because there are different types of radiologic technology education programs, educators may work in hospitals, community colleges or universities.
But if management and education aren’t of interest to you, there is one additional opportunity you should know about, and that’s becoming a radiation physicist. This job involves inspecting imaging equipment and running diagnostic tests to ensure they work properly. Although becoming a physicist usually requires additional education, it can also lead to incredibly fulfilling work.
8. Rad techs can also branch out of healthcare
If you’re interested in medical imaging and X-ray technology, but you’re not so keen on patient interaction, completing a radiologic technology program could still be a practical move. The knowledge you’ll gain throughout your studies has applications in the business world.
Specifically, knowledge of X-ray equipment and other imaging procedures can be a helpful resource if you work in radiology sales. That’s because large equipment manufacturers need well-informed representatives to help promote—and sell—their products.
Imagine traveling to different cities and visiting healthcare facilities in need of new imaging equipment. As a sales representative, your work can take you all over the country!
But if working in sales doesn’t interest you, there are still more real-world applications for medical imaging knowledge. For example, an applications specialist is someone who trains other technologists on how to use their new equipment.
Then, there’s product specialist roles, which may be of interest if you have a knack for engineering or electronics and want to help improve equipment. You could work on specific equipment, like a CT unit or the PACS system. (PACS is the web-based part of the equipment that maintains images and delivers them worldwide as needed.)
So, as you can see, a rad tech has plenty of fascinating career options. Whether you’re interested in patient care, business or developing machines, studying radiologic technology may be a practical choice.
A career in healthcare
Take a moment to consider the multiple opportunities this profession offers. From working with patients to educating the next generation of technologists, a rad tech has so many opportunities available to them.
If you’re feeling inspired to find out more about this field, learn about Rasmussen University’s Radiologic Technology program and how it helps students prepare for ARRT certification.
NRTW® is a registered trademark of The American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists® is a registered trademark of The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
ARRT® is a registered trademark of American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
1 What Do Radiologic Technologists Do?, American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, [accessed October 2024] https://www.arrt.org/pages/about-the-profession/learn-about-the-profession/what-do-radiologic-technologists-do
2 US Diagnostic Imaging Market Size, Growth Report | 2031, Growth Market Reports, [accessed October 2024] https://growthmarketreports.com/report/diagnostic-imaging-market-united-states-industry-analysis
3 Occupational Outlook Handbook, Radiologic and MRI Technologists, Job Outlook [accessed October 2024] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm#tab-6
4 Occupational Outlook Handbook, Radiologic and MRI Technologists, How to Become a Radiologic or MRI Technologist [accessed October 2024] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm#tab-4
5 Completion time is dependent on the number of courses completed each term.
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