Long to be on the front lines of the health care industry, alerting radiologists and physicians to potential emergencies? Want to be involved in helping spot and stop diseases and illness before they start, saving lives and much-needed money in the process? Then a career as an x-ray technology may be for you.

X-ray technologists, also known as radiologic technologists, work with patients during the very first stages of patient examination and diagnosis, and play a crucial role in recovery and treatment. Their tireless work and effort help countless people regain their health more quickly and thoroughly than ever before, as the x-rays, MRIs, and CAT/CT scans they provide give doctors critical insight into the workings of the body and progress of treatment. Similarly, this career can take you into previously unseen territory, so it’s best to have full information before jumping into it.

What Is an X-Ray Technologist?

Quite simply, an x-ray technologist is a health care worker who preps patients for body imaging, takes internal pictures such as x-rays, MRIs, or CAT scans, and develops the film for examination. Radiologic techs are responsible for making sure patients are calm and prepared for their scans, positioned so as to capture the best and clearest pictures, and then making sure those images are seen and acted on by the correct personnel. Depending on experience and education, some x-ray techs also have administrative responsibilities, creating schedules, filing paperwork, and even training other technologists.

Both part-time and full-time positions are usually available, and technologists work in a variety of industries and settings, from research and design firms to consulting companies and private hospitals, creating and developing images.

What Does it Take to be an X-Ray Tech?

All x-ray technologists must complete some form of training, although requirements differ between various regions. Most states require a license or certificate for prospective techs to be hired, and many of those that give licenses do so through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). This professional organization oversees credentialing for the field, administering tests and continuing education courses for all interested individuals.

Before certification, however, potential technologists must complete training courses, either through trade schools or a local community college. Training courses generally take around two years to complete, and consist of classroom and field experiences that teach students health care practices, imaging, physics, and other natural and applied sciences. Students then graduate, receiving a certificate or an Associate’s degree. Upon graduation, they will be eligible to take their state’s licensing test, usually the AART exam, and gain certification. To maintain this license, practitioners take continuing education classes.

The Work Environment

The vast majority of x-ray technologists–not x-ray “technicians,” as these are the individuals who repair the machines that radiologic technologists use every day–work in hospitals and laboratories. Here, the pace can be hectic, and plenty of mental, emotional, and physical strength is needed for the many hours of standing, handling sensitive equipment, and dealing with patients in their most extreme need. Radiology techs must be prepared to handle patients who are often uncomfortable, afraid, or in pain, and sometimes physically unable to reach the proper positions for x-rays without assistance. For these reasons, x-ray technologists need patience and the calmest, most soothing bedside manner possible.

Additionally, technologists must have discretion. Radiologic techs are expressly barred from communicating with patients about the results of their x-rays, even if asked to, and must be able to be firm in insisting upon only relaying this information only to doctors and radiologists.

Radiology Techs and Safety

As for safety concerns, while x-ray technologists are exposed to radiation on a daily basis, many precautions are taken to minimize on-the-job risk. All technologists wear protective gear, including gloves, vests, and other coverings, and x-ray rooms come equipped with equipment that measures radiation levels. Moreover, workplaces are required to give employees individualized, radiation-gauging badges and then keep meticulous records of each worker’s cumulative, career-long exposure.

Salaries and Advancement

Last year, the median annual wage for x-ray techs was $53,240, or around $25 per hour, with the majority receiving some sort of health care benefits. Salaries ranged from $36,000 annually to $75,000 per year, for the most experienced and valuable technologists. According to the 2009 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey, administered each year by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest paid techs worked in medical and diagnostic labs, pulling in around $57,000 a year.

However, many opportunities for advancement exist. With a Bachelor’s degree and continued experience, one can move from x-rays into more sophisticated forms of imagery, including magnetic resonance imagery (MRI), computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT) scans, or sonograms, increasing both value to the company and pay rate. Many technologists also go on to gain advanced degrees in health care or business administration, then move into higher-paying positions as supervisors, instructors, sales managers for x-ray equipment manufacturers, and even departmental directors. Knowledgeable recruiters are also paid handsomely, making over $59,000 per year.

Career Outlook

It’s no secret that the health care industry is expected to grow for years to come. With the US population constantly growing and the Baby Boom generation aging, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the number of x-ray tech jobs will increase seventeen percent by the year 2018, faster than average for all other occupations. This means a bright, steady future for most x-ray techs willing to put in the hard work to go the distance.

In certain areas, this outlook is even more positive. BLS surveys show that West Virginia, South Dakota, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Rhode Island are among the hottest markets for x-ray tech jobs, hiring more technologists than any other states, and that techs in Massachusetts, Nevada, Maryland, Hawaii, Washington, DC, and northern California have the highest salaries in the field.

So if you want a challenging, yet rewarding, career with plenty of room for growth, competitive pay, and daily opportunities to make a difference in the world, look into your local x-ray tech program–you just might like what you see.