X-ray Technician Training
Start Your X-ray Technician Training
X-ray technician training is offered in colleges, universities, hospitals, federal government and vocational-technical institutes. Hospitals, which remain the primary employer of x-ray tech graduates, prefer to hire x-ray specialists with a comprehensive and accredited formal x-ray technician training.
X-ray technician training range in length from one to four years, which lead to a certificate (1 year), an associate degree (2 years) and a bachelor's degree (4 years). The most prevalent type of formal x-ray technician training is the two-year associate degree programs.
Some one-year certificate programs are open for experienced x-ray technicians who want to specialize in various digital imaging processes, such as MRI or CT scans. Individuals from other healthcare-related occupations, such as nurses and med techs, can also pursue a one-year x-ray technician training program for a change in career. Completing an x-ray technician training for a bachelor or master’s degree could lead to desirable career opportunities, such as administrative, supervisory or teaching positions.
X-ray technician training offered by various schools are reviewed and accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. X-ray technician training requires a high school diploma or its equivalent. Studies in chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics can help you in your x-ray technician training.
Generally, an x-ray technician training should include both clinical hands-on training and classroom lessons (or online learning) in physiology, anatomy, biology, pathology, radiobiology, radiation physics and safety, patient care procedures, imaging, positioning of patients, medical terminology and professional ethics.
Federal legislation protects all patients from the hazards of radiation exposure by ensuring all x-ray specialists and radiographers have completed x-ray technician training. As such, employers prefer to hire certified x-ray technicians and different states require certification before allowing x-ray techs for employment. Every two years, all x-ray technicians nationwide are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education.
