Best Careers: Radiologic Technologist

The rundown:

Radiologic technologists or technicians take pictures of what goes on underneath a patient's skin. Part photographer and part scientific detective, a radiologic technician supplies doctors with the data they need to diagnose medical problems. You will work closely with patients to brief them on the procedure and position them for the best X-ray. Complex radiographic equipment must be carefully calibrated to collect the clearest possible image. Technicians often choose to go beyond identifying broken bones, specializing in a particular imaging area such as computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), sonography, and mammography. An added perk: Newer scans often provide higher-resolution images with less exposure to radiation for the technician and the patient.

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The outlook:

Demand for radiologic technologists or technicians is expected to grow as the massive baby boomer generation ages and demand for diagnostic imaging increases. Radiologic technologists and technicians held about 215,000 jobs in 2008, primarily in hospitals, and the Labor Department projects that number will shoot up more than 17 percent to 252,000 positions by 2018. Many of the new jobs will be in physician's offices and diagnostic imaging centers.

Money:

The median salary for radiologic technologists or technicians was $53,240 in 2009. The best-paid 10 percent of imaging specialists earn more than $75,000 annually.

Upward mobility:

Employees with multiple credentials and experience in more than one diagnostic imaging procedure will have the best employment opportunities. Technicians can be promoted to supervisor or department administrator positions within the hospital or move on to become radiologic technology instructors or sales representatives for imaging equipment manufacturers.

Activity level:

Pretty high. Most of the day will be spent on your feet positioning patients for their scan and operating diagnostic machines. Some technologists travel to patients' bedsides in various parts of the hospital or even to private homes in vans equipped with imaging devices.

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Stress level:

Varied. Radiologic technologists must follow a physician's orders, interact with patients who may be concerned about their health and apprehensive about the procedure, and operate complicated and sometimes dangerous equipment. Exposure to radiation, which can be toxic, must be minimized through the use of shielding devices such as lead aprons and gloves.

Education and preparation:

A two-year associate degree program is the most common way to become a radiologic technologist or technician, but a bachelor's or even a master's degree in radiologic technology is preferable if you hope to move up to a supervisory, administrative, or teaching position. Many states require operators of radiologic equipment to be certified and licensed, which generally involves at least 24 hours of continuing education every two years.

Real advice from real people about landing a job as a radiologic technologist:

Radiology is a multi-faceted field and employers expect techs to be familiar with several radiologic techniques and procedures. "The big thing is not to be one-dimensional," says Myke Kudlas, chief academic officer at the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. "We think of just taking X-rays, but radiologic technologists also do CT scans, MRI scans, and mammography." Employers also look for a winning combination of tech skills and people skills. "We call it high-tech, high-touch," Kudlas says. "It's a very hands-on profession and we work very close with the patients."

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