There is a lot of misinformation going around the internet about what we do... and unfortunately, there are a lot of people looking to make money off of individuals who would like to become Radiologic Technologists, but may not know the difference between that and a "x-ray technician" or simply an "x-ray tech."
I subscribe to google alerts for "radiography", and this morning I received this link: http://www.stridemagazine.com/what-is-the-yearly-salary-of-the-radiologist#comment-3346
It's not the first link that I have come across with loads of inaccurate information. Its title reads, "what is the yearly salary of a Radiologist?" As we know, a Radiologist is a Physician, but the article goes on to describe (mostly incorrectly) how to become either a Radiologic Technologist or a Limited Licensed Technician, unable to distinguish the two.
Let me just say that if you are currently in, or have graduated from a JRCERT - accredited x-ray program, possessing ARRT Registry, you went about it the proper way. There are many schools popping up claiming to provide you the education to "be an x-ray tech" but lack the proper accreditation. This infuriates me to no end. I have met several students who found out they were not qualified to work in a hospital setting only after they paid a hefty $20k to one of these programs, and ended up enrolling in their local Community College program later.
As far as I know, there is no law against these schools doing this, but there is such a thing as false advertising. Many schools come very close to this, and will tell you (verbally - not in writing) that you will be qualified to work in any hospital after completing their program.
I am writing this post specifically as a word of caution to those who are seeking to be Technologists, as well as to offer any assistance to those who would like to ask any questions about the process. It is important to educate yourselves prior to enlisting in any school, and to know your options. I am currently writing a book on the subject due to the massive amount of misinformation that is going around about it, but it will not be complete and/or published at least for another 6-8 months. You shouldn't have to wait for this basic information though... let alone pay $20k to find out the hard way that the education you received is inadequate. You should also be wary of the job market in your area for Technologists right now. It's pretty tight, although the next 3-5 years are expected to really pick up due to the Baby Boomer generation retiring (which makes up the largest percentage of the work force in health care). Please feel free to post questions here, or send me an email if you do not want your questions addressed publicly.
If you do not trust me as a source of information, you can go to www.jrcert.org where there is a database of Radiography schools searchable by state. The contact information for each Radiography Program Director is there. You can email or call them to find out how you can attend an information session, or get additional info on the program you are considering, but they MUST be listed on this website.
I subscribe to google alerts for "radiography", and this morning I received this link: http://www.stridemagazine.com/what-is-the-yearly-salary-of-the-radiologist#comment-3346
It's not the first link that I have come across with loads of inaccurate information. Its title reads, "what is the yearly salary of a Radiologist?" As we know, a Radiologist is a Physician, but the article goes on to describe (mostly incorrectly) how to become either a Radiologic Technologist or a Limited Licensed Technician, unable to distinguish the two.
Let me just say that if you are currently in, or have graduated from a JRCERT - accredited x-ray program, possessing ARRT Registry, you went about it the proper way. There are many schools popping up claiming to provide you the education to "be an x-ray tech" but lack the proper accreditation. This infuriates me to no end. I have met several students who found out they were not qualified to work in a hospital setting only after they paid a hefty $20k to one of these programs, and ended up enrolling in their local Community College program later.
As far as I know, there is no law against these schools doing this, but there is such a thing as false advertising. Many schools come very close to this, and will tell you (verbally - not in writing) that you will be qualified to work in any hospital after completing their program.
I am writing this post specifically as a word of caution to those who are seeking to be Technologists, as well as to offer any assistance to those who would like to ask any questions about the process. It is important to educate yourselves prior to enlisting in any school, and to know your options. I am currently writing a book on the subject due to the massive amount of misinformation that is going around about it, but it will not be complete and/or published at least for another 6-8 months. You shouldn't have to wait for this basic information though... let alone pay $20k to find out the hard way that the education you received is inadequate. You should also be wary of the job market in your area for Technologists right now. It's pretty tight, although the next 3-5 years are expected to really pick up due to the Baby Boomer generation retiring (which makes up the largest percentage of the work force in health care). Please feel free to post questions here, or send me an email if you do not want your questions addressed publicly.
If you do not trust me as a source of information, you can go to www.jrcert.org where there is a database of Radiography schools searchable by state. The contact information for each Radiography Program Director is there. You can email or call them to find out how you can attend an information session, or get additional info on the program you are considering, but they MUST be listed on this website.
This is true...When I was in school for this, at one clinical site we had another student there from another program. After talking with him, I realized he was doing the Limited Technician Program. I felt bad for him, because they gave him study material and just threw him into a clinic that was notorious for being slow. In my program we were rotated all over the areas, where he was stuck there. Nobody liked going to this place, because on downtime you either studied or washed the linens. When I passed through there, I watched him at first and realized he wasn't very comfortable in the equipment, positioning, etc. I had to show him how to do things, which I had no problem doing, but it was his only rotation. I felt bad he wasn't getting the experience he should have been getting. This place used film still so I can only imagine if he gets somewhere with CR or DR equipment. He would be lost!
ReplyDeleteHi, my name is Joannah and I live in the Kansas City area. I want to become Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. There are no Certified Associates programs here for that position. Therefore, I have to get my Radiology Tech Associates first.
ReplyDeleteI am currently attending pre-req classes for applying to a community college here. The school is CAHEEP certified for Radiology Technology, so I know I’m good there. I am also about to start volunteering at Children’s Mercy Hospital. After that I will be shadowing so I can get a better feel for the career choice I'm making.
I was looking to see if you had any additional tips that might help me get into the program (things I can do to make me stand out). Also, will having an end goal of Sonography hurt me? Meaning will they think I do not respect Radiology? I am more then happy and excited to have both certifications/degrees, but I just want them to know that somehow.
Then one more question. I currently have an AAS in Interior Design. I selected this career when I was 16 (being homeschooled I started college at an early age) and have found to not enjoy it as much as I had hoped. I love taking care of people and helping them in any way I can. I think that is why I chose Interior Design; you could say we are doctors of design. I just do not want them to think, “why is this girl going from design to medical?” I am looking for a career I can have for the rest of my life. I career where I can work hard everyday and feel rewarded. As I said earlier, I love working with people and making things better for them. I feel like Sonography will give me all that and more. I know there will be bumps in the road just like any job, but in the end knowing that I did something important and did it well will be amazing.
Thanks,
Joannah
Hi, my name is Joannah and I live in the Kansas City area. I want to become Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. There are no Certified Associates programs here for that position. Therefore, I have to get my Radiology Tech Associates first.
ReplyDeleteI am currently attending pre-req classes for applying to a community college here. The school is CAHEEP certified for Radiology Technology, so I know I’m good there. I am also about to start volunteering at Children’s Mercy Hospital. After that I will be shadowing so I can get a better feel for the career choice I'm making.
I was looking to see if you had any additional tips that might help me get into the program (things I can do to make me stand out). Also, will having an end goal of Sonography hurt me? Meaning will they think I do not respect Radiology? I am more then happy and excited to have both certifications/degrees, but I just want them to know that somehow.
Then one more question. I currently have an AAS in Interior Design. I selected this career when I was 16 (being homeschooled I started college at an early age) and have found to not enjoy it as much as I had hoped. I love taking care of people and helping them in any way I can. I think that is why I chose Interior Design; you could say we are doctors of design. I just do not want them to think, “why is this girl going from design to medical?” I am looking for a career I can have for the rest of my life. I career where I can work hard everyday and feel rewarded. As I said earlier, I love working with people and making things better for them. I feel like Sonography will give me all that and more. I know there will be bumps in the road just like any job, but in the end knowing that I did something important and did it well will be amazing.
Thanks,
Joannah
Hi Joannah,
ReplyDeleteI can't say I know much about Sonography, but I'm surprised to hear that there are no programs near you... are you limiting those programs to Associate Degree programs, or are you open to certificate programs?
I'm not sure I have heard of CAHEEP certification... you need to make sure the school is accredited by JRCERT before you enroll... otherwise you will not be qualified to take the national registry exam.
I don't think your prior career will work against you trying to get into any program, and the fact that you have an end-goal of Sonography will only help you. Schools don't want students to enroll and drop out or quit. Having that goal shows that you have focus and determination, and they will consider you to be more likely to complete their program than someone who isn't really sure where they want to be in 5 years.
Let me know if I can help on the Radiography side of things... I can always see who I can put you in contact with in the world of Sonography as well.