Understand your options. There are two options under the field of radiology: radiologist and radiology technician. A radiologist is a physician who specializes in using various imaging techniques to hep diagnose disease. To work as a radiologist, you must first complete medical school and become licensed as a physician. This is followed by several years of advanced training in radiology and a residency. For those who wish to specialize, further training is required. It is along and expensive road, but radiologists are in high demand, and this job can pay over $200,000 per year.
Radiology technician training is a faster certification or degree program which trains you to administer tests to patients.
Understand what a radiology technician does. Radiology technicians take tests that are ordered by a physician. These tests include X-rays, CT scans, mammograms, MRIs and cardiovascular tests, to name a few. They must be specially trained in whatever type of test they administer, and be able to understand and follow the doctor's orders exactly to keep patients safe during the procedure. Radiology technicians are responsible to make sure the tests are done accurately, and they may need to make a decision to repeat a test that is not clear. The test results are actually read and interpreted by a physician or radiologist.
Get the right training. First you need to find and attend an accredited program. The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (see link below) accredits most of the formal radiology training programs. Most schools require that you have a high school degree or the equivalent in order to be admitted. Radiology training involves both classroom instruction as well as clinical hands-on experience. You will take classes in anatomy and physiology, physics (to understand how the radiation process woks), medical terminology and in understanding various diseases. Clinical experience will be necessary to help you learn how to take care of patients, how to position them for tests and how to use the actual equipment. You can choose to specialize in a field such as cardiovascular testing, mammography or taking MRIs, as well as many others.
Choose between a certification and a degree. Radiology training can take anywhere from 1 to 4 years. You can become certified, obtain a 2-year associate's degree or complete a full 4-year bachelor's degree program. If you hope to eventually work in a supervisory role, a 6-year master's degree is usually necessary. The 2-year programs are currently the most popular. You can start by obtaining basic training and then, as you are working, you can complete advanced courses to further your career. Advanced certificates can train you to focus in special medical field such as neurology or nuclear medicine. As with any career, the more training you have, the higher your salary.
Take the cost of school and work environment into consideration. Radiology training can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000 depending on your course of study. While certification is not mandatory after completing your training, some employers may prefer it. Certification is offered through Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Most accredited colleges offer financial aid and/or payment plans. The average salary for a radiology technician ranges from $40,000 per year to $60,000 a year, depending on where you live, your years of experience and whether or not you specialize in a particular area. Most technicians work in a hospital setting, but some private offices hire radiology technicians as well. The job can require you to stand or be on your feet for long periods of time, so make sure you have the endurance for it.