Being a radiography assistant is a great entry point for anyone interested in a medical career, particularly for those who hope to one day become radiologists. Working in an environment where patient care is the top priority will provide you with invaluable experience communicating with patients and other medical professionals.
Radiology assistants help prepare patients for scans and ensure everything is set up correctly. These help doctors interpret images and might even instruct patients about upcoming procedures.
Employment prospects for radiography assistants are projected to expand by 6 between 2021 and 2031, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. Radiographers, who use imaging technologies to identify and treat cancer and other invasive diseases, are in high demand, increasing the sector.
A Guide to Establishing Your Career in Radiography
1. Look Into Accredited Programs
Radiography assistants are in high demand, and most companies want them to have a degree in the field. Courses that lead to certification usually take about two years to finish. Students with a high school diploma or a GED can participate in associate degree programs at several accredited schools. Most people take between two and four years to finish this course.
2. Earn Your Certification
Certification as a radiography assistant involves completing an approved educational program and an examination satisfactorily. The purpose of the certification method is to ensure that all technicians adhere to the same criteria.
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists gives certification tests. These tests check what you know about various topics, such as radiation safety and how clinical care works. If you take the ARRT practice test and get used to the kinds of questions, you can be more confident on the actual test. A certificate will be given to you after you pass an exam, pay any fees, and agree to follow the ARRT’s ethical standards.
3. Develop Your Skills
Before starting your career as a radiography assistant, you must develop the skills needed. This will give you an edge over applicants who want to get into this line of work but need more skills.
Radiologic technologists must have good eyesight, steady hands, and the ability to concentrate for long periods. They also need to be good communicators to talk to patients, doctors, and other healthcare team members.
There is a strong link between what a radiographer does and science and technology, so they need to be interested in both. They will be talking to patients, so they must be genuinely interested in people. Knowing how the human body works can help them understand radiographs better.
4. Attend Conferences and Workshops
Participate in diagnostic-related workshops and conferences hosted by organizations and specialty groups, such as radiology techs and radiologists. You can get insights into how they were trained and from their experience. The benefits of attending such events are the opportunity to network with other professionals who may share similar interests or career objectives and a forum for discussing urgent industry concerns.
5. Gain Hands-on Experience
You can get beneficial experience by watching a radiographer at work before or after your regular classes. This will let you get answers to your questions from someone with a lot of experience in the field. You can learn about a topic in a classroom setting, but job shadowing allows you to see what it’s like to work in that field.
6. Get Involved With Hospital-Based Programs
There are several beneficial hospital-based programs that you should join if there is one in your area. If you want to learn more about the field or donate your time, a hospital is a great place to do it because of the many free community programs. Enroll in one of these programs and maximize the resources available to develop your skills before looking elsewhere.
7. Build Your Network Among Radiologists
Join a club or organization in your community that shares your interests. It could be a group of individuals who share your passion for healthcare administration and related issues, or it could be an established organization in the field. Use these organizations to expand your professional network and meet individuals who could boost your career.
8. Take Continuing Education Courses
Ensure you meet the requirements for continuing education at all times. Several colleges offer these courses in partnership with local medical clinics and hospitals.
The professors of these courses are doctors and nurses who work in the medical field. Some schools may also offer these classes online, either through their platforms or those of a third party. These classes will help you keep up with how technology and the business world are always changing.
How Radiography Assistant Certification Can Benefit You
Technicians are essential to the success of this industry and are its backbone. They are in charge of caring for patients in every way, from taking x-rays to ensuring they meet the highest quality standards. Because of this, radiography assistants must have specific skills and qualifications to work in the field.
By getting certified as a Radiography Assistant, you can stand out and show potential employers that you can handle challenging situations safely. In today’s increasingly competitive job market, certification is a big differentiator between applicants. Getting a certification will therefore increase your chances of getting a job.
There are 230 questions on the ARRT exam but only 200 points count toward your final score; the other 30 do not. You will not be informed of which questions on the exam are not being evaluated, nor will you be able to locate them on the exam. Most of the questions are multiple-choice, with just one valid response for each pair of options.
The ARRT mock exam reflects the questions on the actual ARRT exam. The study guide contains all the information covered by ARRT exam example questions. Before taking the actual exam, reviewing the ARRT practice test is a practical approach to determine which parts of the ARRT program require more study.
Wrapping Up
Due to the growing popularity of medical imaging, radiography assistants are increasingly needed. As the demand for healthcare services continues to rise, radiography assistant roles are in high order.
Radiologists require radiography assistants, and it is their responsibility to provide any help needed. It is a specialized field that demands extensive study to master, but it could pay off well in the end.
Consider becoming a radiology assistant if you want a secure career with competitive compensation and promotion opportunities in the medical field.