Medical Imaging Overview: Education & Job Outlook

Imaging Technician Education: Degrees and Programs

A typical Diagnostic Medical Imaging school curriculum is 63 credit hours of school and have no less than C in each class. In 2019, there were 449 2-year colleges and 262 4-year colleges that offered a Medical Radiologic Technology program. the U.S. Department of Education recognizes the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) as the accreditation standard used by higher education. If choosing to go into the Medical Imaging field, make sure it is an accredited school. For MRI and other Imaging specialties, more classroom time will be required.

Tuition costs will vary at different universities depending on factors such as living in state or out of state, public or private school and how long it takes you to finish. One sample state college estimated taking 15 hours in one semester including tuition, books and supplies only (no room and board, transportation, and other miscellaneous fees) would be about $4,000 and a non-resident about $20,000 for the same semester.

A typical associates degree program would be similar to the following:

Prerequisites

(many high schools offer college equivalent)

• Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
• College Algebra
• English Composition I
• Interpersonal Communication

Semester I

• Introduction to Radiography and Patient Care
• Principles of Radiographic Imaging
• Basic Radiographic Procedures
• Introduction to Psychology

Semester II

• Advanced Radiographic Procedures
• Radiographic Imaging Equipment
• Principles of Radiographic Imaging
• Clinical Radiologic Technology Science Radiographer I

Semester III

• Sectional Anatomy for Medical Imaging
• Advanced Medical Imaging
• Clinical Radiologic Technology Science Radiographer II

Semester III

• Radiation Biology and Protection
• Clinical Radiologic Technology Science Radiographer III
• Ethics

Semester IV

• Clinical Radiologic Technology Science Radiographer IV
• Radiographic Pathology

Semester V

• Radiologic Technology
• Clinical Radiologic Technology Science Radiographer V

Medical Imaging Technician Salaries

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has detailed statistics on role which vary state by state but the median average salary for Medical Radiologic and MRI Imaging technician is $61,240 per year.

Several factors determine the final salary or wage of a Medical Imaging technician including specialization within a field, experience, and geography to name a few. The areas with a higher cost of living tend to pay above average.

The top five highest paying states according to the BLS are:

• California
• District of Columbia
• Hawaii
• Massachusetts
• Oregon

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Medical Imaging Technician Job Growth

The future is very bright for Medical Imaging technician job growth. According to BLS, they predict employment to grow 9% from now through 2028. This is a much faster than average growth occupation in the Allied Health industry in terms of jobs. The BLS predicts 23,300 Medical Imaging technician jobs will be added between 2018 and 2028.

Job growth for Imaging technician is growing as the aging Baby Boomers are have an increase in medical conditions that require imaging for physicians to make a diagnosis.

The need for Medical Imaging technician is in every state but some areas have more need and are willing to pay more to start.

The top five states with the most jobs according to BLS are:

1. California
2. Texas
3. Florida
4. New York
5. Pennsylvania

Medical Imaging technician Career and Job Duties

In addition to the hospitals and doctor offices across the world who have imaging technology, many specialty clinics in imaging are setting up shops in areas of need.

A typical job description for a Medical Imaging technician is:

Clinical Duties

• Identify patient requirements, ensure correct exam is performed on the correct patient, and establish rapport with patients
• Instructs patient regarding the test to be performed and assesses patients’ tolerance for procedure
• Prepares patient area for radiology procedure by positioning patient, adjusting devices, moving equipment into position and adjusting equipment controls to set exposure factors based on diagnosis
• Adheres to safety requirements, infection-control, drug and radiation policies to protect patients and others
• Uses proper sterile techniques when setting up and performing radiology procedures
• Analyzes equipment and works with engineers and physicists to ensure optimal operational capabilities
• Maintains all relevant documentation such as patient history, pregnancy status and shielding precautions taken, consent forms, etc.
• Maintains medical imaging records in appropriate system in a timely manner
• Assists leadership in maintaining all required policies, procedures, standards and records

What Are Some Personal Traits That Are helpful?

Medical Imaging technicians play a critical role in aiding the physician to diagnose injury or other health issues. The aging population is more dependent than ever on a Medical Imaging diagnosis to efficiently understand and maintain their health and reduce health related diseases. Here are some traits that can help you succeed:

• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Ability to read and interpret physician requirements
• Detail oriented
• Dependable
• Tech Savvy
• Strong ethics
• Friendly and patient with customers
• Empathy for the customer
• Able to operate complex machinery

If you love the challenges and are passionate about health, an Imaging Technicians maybe the career that will be fulfilling for you. Click the blue “Find Schools” button to view colleges and universities that may fit your needs.