Radiology Tech Programs in Florida
Also known as radiographers, radiologic technologists play a vital function in diagnostics. This article will help you with the requirements of becoming a radiology tech and show you radiology tech programs in Florida.
There is no one-stop way to becoming one and you can choose either of the 3 ways of becoming one:
- A certificate or diploma
- An associate’s degree
- A bachelor’s degree
The most important criteria is that you apply for programs that have been accredited by either the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. This ensures that the curriculum is up-to-date, has good faculty and has financial aid options.
Florida is a great place to build up a career as an MRI technician. Radiology technologists on average make $52,570, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Work experience and licensing are some factors that determine the salary. It is also a growing field with data showing a 17% growth in jobs between 2008 and 2018.
In This Article
How to Become a Radiologic Technologist in Florida
Step 1 – Complete your high school diploma or a GED
Nearly all post-secondary degrees require students to have achieved a high-school diploma or a GED before enrolling. Some colleges also require a background in math, biology, chemistry, and anatomy which will help them in radiology studies.
Step 2 – Earn a postsecondary certificate or degree
The most common path to becoming a radiology technician is by achieving an associate’s degree in radiologic technology. They usually take 2 years to complete and teaches students to produce images of the patient’s body parts to diagnose ailments. The program will also include practicals through internships or clinical visits. Be sure to enroll in an accredited program usually from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
If the above option does not fit your goals, you can choose to pursue certificate programs (20-24 months) or a 4-year bachelor’s degree program. The latter requires around 120 hours which is 4-years of full-time study. Some colleges offer accelerated degrees that can allow students to graduate in three years.
Step 3 – Get licensed to work in radiology in Florida
Almost all states require professionals to get licensed to practice- the requirements for which vary from state to state. Licenses must be renewed regularly, and typically have continuing education requirements that must be met to stay licensed.
The state of Florida requires all radiologic technicians to be certified by the Department of Health’s Bureau of Radiation Control. To do so, they must have graduated from an approved radiologic technology degree and pass the state’s exam. Radiologic technologists must get their license renewed every 2 years accompanied by completing 12 hours of education. If you have a legal record, felony, or misdemeanor charges, you will need to submit additional documentation.
If the technologists want to be nationally certified, they must clear the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam. To renew the ARRT certification, one must complete 24-hours of continuing education and pay applicable fees. Once done, you will receive a status report which will assign you the examination date.
If you have registered with the ARRT but have completed your education elsewhere, you will need to apply for licensure in Florida by endorsement.
In Florida, you can also obtain a license through endorsement which means you must prove that you have a license to practice in another state. You need to fill an application, pay $45, and provide a certificate or other proof. The catch is that the certificate must be equal in workload to what is currently required in Florida at the time of application.
Background screenings are also required. You can request an exemption if you have a valid reason. You need to provide a request form, a criminal history check, employment history, any rehabilitation history, reference letters, and probation notices plus anything that is pertinent.
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Schools in Florida with Radiologic Tech Programs
Eastern Florida State College
Located in Brevard County, Florida, the Eastern Florida State College is a public college in existence since 1960. This program is twenty-four months long with a combination of academic study and hospital experience. This radiology program aims to equip students to be employable radiography technicians. On completing this degree, graduates will be eligible to write the national certifying examination authorized by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the state licensing examination of the State of Florida. A highly competitive program, only about 20-25 students are admitted in June every year. Selections are merit-based and are necessary due to the limited clinical space in Brevard County.
To gain admission, students are required to give the TEAS Test and achieve a minimum grade of 58%. While it’s not necessary to have a radiology background prior to applying, preference is given to those students who have studied sciences and Algebra. A science background will make the content of the radiography course easy to understand.
Gulf Coast State College
A public college in Panama City, Florida, the Gulf Coast State offers several affordable associate degrees and certificate programs.
The duration of the program is approximately 23 months. In addition to classroom lectures and laboratory sessions, students will learn patient care, pathologies, radiation protection, safety, diagnostic examinations through clinical rotations in local and county medical facilities. Students will get to use state-of-the-art equipment to learn digital imaging, mobile fluoroscopy, and digital imaging.
To be eligible to apply, you should be a high school graduate or have earned credits from a regionally accredited college or university. This college has one of the most affordable tuition costs in the state but also ensures a small class size for greater personal attention.
Graduates from the Gulf State college will be eligible to take the radiography exam offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) which is the standard for entry-level employment in most hospitals in the United States.
This course also aims to enable students to develop good communication skills, be clinically competent, analyze peer-reviewed journals and be a model professional.
Marion Technical College
A public technical college in Ohi, Marion Technical was founded in 1970 and has awarded over 7,500 associate degrees. The radiology program is 22-month long and equips students to be entry-level radiologic technologists. Students are required to have an Associates’ Degree to apply with prior courses of anatomy, physiology, and Medical Terminology courses in their curriculum.
The Associate’s degree at the Marion Technical College is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). By the end of the course, students will be able to create x-ray images, position patients for error-free imaging, administer special chemicals to show a greater contrast while maintaining strict standards for safety and quality control.
Importance of choosing an accredited degree/program
The accreditation process has been developed to assure that radiologic programs follow education standards that ensure academic excellence. The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) accredits the Radiography Program in accordance with the Standards for an Accredited Educational Program in Radiologic Sciences (STANDARDS).
The STANDARDS require a program to
- Articulate its purposes and scope
- Demonstrate that it has adequate human, financial, and physical resources effectively organized for the accomplishment of its purposes
- Maintain records and its efforts in accomplishing the goals of the curriculum
- Assurance students and the agency that it can meet global standards
A JRCERT accreditation will mean that your education and experience is respected in all states of the country. Not only will this help obtain a great job but also provide you with the confidence of having obtained a gold standard in training.
Accredited Medical Imaging Programs In Florida
including X-Ray Tech, Nuclear Medicine, Sonography
- South Florida State College – Avon Park – JRCERT Accredited
- Bethesda College of Health Sciences – Boynton Beach – JRCERT Accredited
- State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota – Bradenton – JRCERT Accredited
- Broward College-North Campus – Coconut Creek – JRCERT, CAAHEP, JRCNMT Accredited
- Broward College-Central Campus – Davie – JRCERT Accredited
- Indian River State College – Fort Pierce – JRCERT Accredited
- Nova Southeastern University – Ft. Lauderdale – CAAHEP Accredited
- Florida SouthWestern State College – Ft. Meyers – JRCERT Accredited
- Santa Fe College – Gainesville – JRCERT, JRCNMT Accredited
- Polk State College – Lakeland – JRCERT, CAAHEP Accredited
- Eastern Florida State College – Melbourne – JRCERT, CAAHEP Accredited
- Miami Dade College – Miami – JRCERT, CAAHEP Accredited
- Southeastern College – Miami Lakes – CAAHEP Accredited
- Marion Technical College – Ocala – JRCERT Accredited
- Adventist University of Health Sciences – Orlando – JRCERT, CAAHEP, JRCNMT Accredited
- Valencia College – Orlando – JRCERT, CAAHEP Accredited
- Palm Beach State College-Palm Beach Gardens – Palm Beach Gardens – JRCERT, CAAHEP Accredited
- Gulf Coast State College – Panama City – JRCERT Accredited
- Pensacola State College – Pensacola – JRCERT Accredited
- St. Petersburg College – St. Petersburg – JRCERT Accredited
- Hillsborough Community College – Tampa – JRCERT, CAAHEP, JRCNMT Accredited
Source:
1 – https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
