X-ray Technician

An X-ray technician uses radiography to capture images on film for physicians to diagnose and treat broken bones, disease and other health concerns—usually to hard body tissue.  The x-ray technician must be well-trained in the operation and handling of the x-ray machine as it uses radioactivity to capture the images.  Care must be taken to provide safety for the patient as well as to the technician. 

Career training is provided by x-ray technician schools, hospitals, colleges and universities.  Training can take as little as one year to complete and includes class work with emphasis on anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, patient positioning, radiation physics and patient care.  Medical ethics and principles of imaging are also taught.  Online training for an x-ray technician future is not only available, it is becoming more popular.

Job prospects in the x-ray technician field are expected to increase at least through the year 2012, especially if the worker continues to stay abreast of new procedures and diagnostic equipment operation such as magnetic resonance imagine (MRI) and Sonography.

Salary expectations for x-ray technicians were in the $58,000 to $60,000 range.  Some weekend or on call work could be expected.  Additional experience and education usually leads to increased salary expectations.

X-Ray technicians usually work in hospitals or large clinic or laboratory settings and must be able to stand for long periods as well as to move disabled patients to gain proper positioning during the x-ray procedure.

In order to find more information about a x-ray technician career you may contact one of the accredited schools or hospitals that offer training and certification.