Radiologic Technology Careers

Radiologic Technology Career Paths

Radiologic technologists who are willing to relocate and who also are experienced in more than one diagnostic imaging procedure – such as CT, MR, and mammography – will have the best employment opportunities as employers seek to control costs by using multi-credentialed employees. Radiographers may specialize in more complex imaging procedures including:

• Fluoroscopy
• Computed Tomography (CT)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Mammography
• Angiography

Experienced technologists also may be promoted to:

• Supervisor
• Chief radiologic technologist
• Department administrator or director – Depending on the institution, courses or a master’s degree in business or health administration may be necessary for the director’s position

Some technologists progress by specializing in the occupation to become:

• Instructors or directors in radiologic technology programs
• Sales representatives
• Instructors with equipment manufacturers

Work Environment

Most full-time radiologic technologists work about 40 hours a week. They may, however, have evening, weekend, or on-call hours. Opportunities for part-time and shift work also are available.

Although hospitals will remain the principal employer of radiologic technologists, a number of new jobs will be found in offices of physicians and diagnostic imaging centers. Health facilities such as these are expected to grow through 2018, because of the shift toward outpatient care, encouraged by third-party payers and made possible by technological advances that permit more procedures to be performed outside the hospital. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of radiologic technologists is expected to increase by about 28% from 2010 to 2020, which is faster than the average for all occupations.