What Can You Do with an X-Ray Technician Certificate?
Earning an x-ray technician certificate is the first step to working as an x-ray technician in a variety of clinical settings. But did you know that an x-ray technician certificate also opens up the door to other career possibilities? Here are some of the jobs students who earn certificates in x-ray technology end up doing.
Hospital or Clinic Radiographer
When most people think of x-ray technicians, they think of hospital radiographers. An x-ray technician working in a hospital setting will take x-rays of patients who have a wide variety of conditions, from broken bones to undiagnosed internal pain. They may perform other procedures as well, such as fluoroscopies.
Radiographers who work in doctors’ offices or clinics perform similar work in that they take x-rays of patients to help doctors with diagnoses, but the injuries they see will be most likely be less severe. Working in a specialty clinic means that the scope of injuries will be smaller as well. For example, a radiographer working in a physical therapy practice might only take x-rays of spinal injuries.
Image Diagnostic Center Technician
Instead of having in-house radiographers, many medical practices send patients to image diagnostic centers for x-rays and other diagnostic imaging tests.
MRI or CT Technologist
X-ray technicians who want to further their careers can go on to get certified in other imaging techniques like computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or even ultrasound technology. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job prospects should be especially good for x-ray technicians who can perform complex procedures.
Mammographer
A student who earns an x-ray technician certificate may choose to specialize in mammography, especially if they are interested in women’s health. Mammograms are images created by using low-dose x-rays to photograph the insides of women’s breasts to help identify masses and diagnose breast cancer. Because regular mammograms are considered important part of check-ups for older women, this is one area of x-ray technology that will continue to be in demand.
Instructor
Because earning an x-ray technician certificate requires a lot of hands-on training, x-ray technicians with experience in the field can teach students in either academic or clinical settings. X-ray technician instructors share both their technical knowledge and things they’ve learned from their own experiences about patient care and medical ethics.
Medical Equipment Sales
Companies that sell medical equipment to hospitals, private practices, nursing homes, and clinics love to hire people who actually know how the equipment works. The best medical equipment salespeople are the one who can credibly describe the features and benefits of using one company’s machine over another. Those people often have medical training and some clinical experience in the field. An x-ray technician certificate teaches students not only how to operate diagnostic equipment, but also about how things like wheelchairs and patient beds funcition in real-life settings.
If this sounds interesting, find out more about how you can become a certified x-ray technician. Check out the x ray technician schools directory today!
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