What is Radiologic Technology

Registered radiologic technologists (R.T.s) are medical personnel who perform diagnostic imaging examinations and administer radiation therapy treatments. R.T.s practice in hospitals, clinics and physician’s offices, and in many clinical specialties, from prenatal care to orthopedics. They are educated in anatomy, patient positioning, examination techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety and patient care. R.T.s may practice general radiography, or specialize in an imaging technique such as bone densitometry, cardiac or vascular interventional radiography, computed tomography, mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine or sonography. Radiation therapists and medical dosimetrists are technologists who specialize in radiation therapy, which is the application of radiation to treat cancer and other diseases.

Registered radiologic technologists must earn an associate or more advanced degree from an accredited hospital-based program or academic institution, and pass a national certification examination. To remain registered, they must also earn 24 continuing education credits every two years. The largest certification agency, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists®, has more than 300,000 registrants. Wages of radiologic technologists are competitive with other health professionals who have similar educational backgrounds. Visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to see current trends in R.T. wages.

From the ASRT website.