The New Radiology Technologist Check List
Entering the workforce as a radiological technician is an outstanding way to access higher wages and rewarding working environments. Preparing for the future with a well-designed resumé is an ideal way to attract potential employers.
Hospitals and imaging centers use resumés to provide them with accurate information about candidates. This information helps them choose the best candidate for the role they are trying to fill.
In today’s working environments, HR managers must know their candidates have the skills and techniques to work with little supervision.
By adding job skills to your toolbox and highlighting them on your resumé, you’ll make yourself more valuable. You’ll also and enhance the demand for your capabilities.
Here’s a checklist of some things that you should work on while in school.
In This Article
Education Credentials
Graduating from an accredited radiology technician program is essential. While a variety of online programs claim to offer education, many may leave you without the certification you need. Board certification is what truly counts to employers.
Passing the ARRT Board Exams
The American Association of Radiologic Technicians (ARRT) is responsible for ensuring radiologic technicians have the essential knowledge the field demands. The ARRT exam covers all of the details learned in two years of schooling.
While passing the exam and getting ARRT certified may have a huge impact on your ability to land a job after graduation, remaining calm during the exam is key. Keep a positive mindset and remember that you can get this test done just like all of the others you’ve passed.
Many employers allow technicians to take the test after they’ve been working in the industry for a while. This is a great way to approach certification. Getting real-life experience may make it easier to pass the ARRT exam.
Work on Continuing Education at All Times
After you’ve passed your boards, you’ll need to make sure you’re fully aware of changes in your field. Continuing education credits are the way that this is best accomplished.
There’s no need to wait and be forced to take a ton of classes at the last minute. Today’s online continuing education sites make the process easy. And, you can easily finish your classes at a convenient time during the evening or weekend. Just be sure that the classes you complete are rated category-A credits by the ARRT.
Land the Career that You Want
Some professionals are quite happy to work their entire life as x-ray technicians. If this meets your description, then stick with your field. If you want more responsibility and higher earnings, think about adding to your resumé with on-the-job training or additional classes.
Successful Personality Traits of a Radiologic Technician
Patient First
In my time in the field, I’ve encountered way too many people who think about themselves instead of considering the needs of their co-workers and their patients. This attitude reflects very poorly about you as a professional, and it can also affect your ability to work with others upon whom you depend.
While paperwork is an essential part of the job, there’s no need to let documentation interfere with ensuring the highest level of care for patients. If a minor problem arises, take a second to address the issue and finish your paperwork when you have a spare minute at a later time.
Patients Before Doctors
During your studies, make sure that you listen to your patient’s feedback. The only stupid question is the one that isn’t asked. I’ve been berated lots of times by physicians because I wanted to be sure that I wasn’t making any mistakes.
Know which studies are needed, and make sure that you’re fully familiar with your patients and their health needs. This makes its easy to ensure that you perform the right examination every time.
Add Skills to Your Resumé
By working in a wide variety of settings, you can be sure that your application sticks out from the competition. During my career, I’ve made it a point to accent my experience with various employers and different settings.
- Try working in a hospital
- Apply for employment at an imaging center
- Work during the day
- Work during the night
Get a Job
Hospital Employment
Hospitals are unique because you’ll see lots of different health problems that you’ll never encounter at another location. While the job may be high stress, you’ll also benefit from having access to trauma injuries, the operating room, and biopsies. This can expand your experience and may make a difference when you’re looking for a new role.
Imaging Centers
Imaging centers are another great way to introduce yourself to the daily working responsibilities of a new imaging technologist. The best thing about a job at an imaging center is that you always have to stick to a schedule. This can provide you with structure and help you to complete tasks on a timely basis.
Learn how to operate the newest equipment
Modern imaging equipment is usually more accurate, and intuitive interfaces are designed for ease of use. Because more medical facilities and hospitals are installing new machines, knowing how to operate the devices is an essential job skill.
Learn to operate every computer that you meet
In the modern world, the imaging equipment that you’ll operate will be totally computerized. Gaining experience and familiarity with a wide variety of systems helps ensure that you can make a quick transition from one model to the next. When you know how to work every monitor’s controls, you’ll also have the general knowledge about computers that lets you adapt to emerging technologies.
Working with older equipment
The chances are probably pretty high that you may wind up working with older imaging equipment. While you may not encounter the buttons and dials that are found on some obsolete machines, having a broad foundation ensures that you can react when you encounter a minor malfunction. You might think that I’m old-fashioned, but I’ve come to put my faith in my experience rather than the photo timers that are currently used with most machines.
Use the positioning aids
I know that they’ve developed some outstanding positioning aids in recent years. And you should definitely try them out and see if they work for you.
Work without the aids
I prefer to use my own techniques. While I do work with aids for difficult images, I really don’t like them. During my first job, I worked at a medical center that was interested in saving money. There I actually learned imaging without using any positioning aids.
Work Schedule
Try working during the days
Day shifts may be the time when the majority of work is required. This will give you the hands-on experience that actually makes you a better radiologic technician. Since most people visit the hospital during the day, you’ll also have access to lots of different procedures.
Work during the evenings
Evenings are a lot different from the days. You may notice that fewer people are around and that there’s a marked difference in supervision levels. While you may enjoy the quiet, repetitions are the only way you get better at your job.
Night shifts
Working during the evening usually means that you’ll be alone for extended periods of time. You may also need to operate a variety of equipment and will probably have x-rays and CT scans to do. My favorite thing about the night shift is the interesting patients that you’ll meet at three in the morning.
Weekends
Most facilities keep a bare minimum of employees during the weekend. You’ll be able to finish projects all on your own with little supervision or assistance from co-workers.
