"The Panic Button Was Pushed To Educate More Radiographers, Research Papers Example

But Where Are the Jobs Today?”

Introduction
What is a Radiologi Technologist?
A radiologic technologist performs diagnostic imaging examinations on patients. He/she specializes in x-ray, Cat scans, and computed tomography (CT) imaging. He/she also administers non-radioactive materials into a patient’s blood stream and interpret the resulting image/s. Some radiologic technologists make a medical mixture for the patient to drink that enables soft tissue to be seen and evaluated as clear images by the radiologist. Technologists may also be certified in multiple specialties, such as mammography. They may also specialize in geriatrics or pediatrics or they make work on ultrasound, magnetic resonance, or computed tomography. MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images. MRI technologists specialize in magnetic resonance imaging scanners. They inject patients with contrast dyes so that the images shall be seen on the scanner. The scanners utilize magnetic fields mixed with the contrasting solution to make images which a physician can use to diagnose medical problems.

Radiologic and MRI technologists usually perform the following:

Adjust and maintain imaging equipment;
Perfectly follow orders from physicians on what part of the body to take a picture of;
Ready the patients for procedures, which includes jotting down the medical profile and making formal inquiry on the procedure;
Protect the patient by protecting the exposed areas that do not need to be imaged;
Properly place the patient and the equipment to obtain the proper image;
Use the digital equipment to obtain images;
Work with physicians to assess the images and to know whether extra images need to be taken;
Keep specific records of the patient.
This career is very desirable as this will be in great demand in the near future, as many people are ageing. According to the Jobs for the Future, an individual can get a high-paying, entry-level job with two years or less of training in this profession. A radiologic technologist must have a high school diploma or HSE and an associate's degree from a radiologic technology program, community colleges, hospital-based programs, and others offer training. Students in radiologic technology programs study anatomy, radiographic equipment operation, patient positioning, radiation safety, and patient care through a combined classroom and clinical training. Clinical training provides the students the opportunity to practice skills by observing and working with radiology staff in a hospital or other facility. Most radiologic and MRI technologists work full time. This is because imaging is needed in emergency situations, hence, some technologists work evenings, weekends, or on call.
Basically, radiologists are divided into three specializations: diagnostic, radiation, and interventional radiologists. Radiologic technologists usually make themselves experts in a specific diagnostic imaging aspect: Bone Densitometry Technologists, Cardiovascular-Interventional Technologists, MR Technologists, Mammographers, Computed Tomography Technologists, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, QM Technologists, Radiographers , and Sonographers. Radiologic Technologists on the Radiation Oncology team include the following: Medical Dosimetrists and Radiation Therapists.
Radiologic technologists on the Medical Imaging Team perform imaging examinations and accurately positioning patients and ensure that an excellent diagnostic image is made. They work closely with radiologists, the doctors who read the medical images to either diagnose or rule out injuries or sickness. For the pictures to be read and interpreted properly by the radiologist, the imaging examination must be performed properly by a radiologic technologist.

Employment Prospects for Radiological Technologists

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the employment opportunity for radiologic technologists is projected to increase by 21% from 2012 to 2022. This growth is quicker than the average for all other professions. Specifically, the employment prospects for MRI technologists is projected to increaes by 24% from 2012 to 2022. Similarly, this is much faster than the average for all occupations.
As mentioned above, as the general population grows older, there will be a certain growth of medical conditions, i.e. breaks and fractures caused by osteoporosis, which need imaging to diagnose them. Radiologic and MRI technologists will be needed to use and maintain the diagnostic equipment. Likewise, the federal health legislation will expand the total patients who can avail of their health insurance privileges. Hence, this will increase patient access to medical care.
While hospitals will remain as the major employer of radiologic and MRI technologists, some new jobs will be in physicians' clinics and in outside clinics imaging centers. Jobs demand in these medical areas is expected to grow because of the natural shift toward outpatient care. Outpatient care is encouraged by third-party beneficiaries as a cost-effective way and is enabled by the advances in medical technologies, i.e. less expensive equipment which alow them to have the diagnostic procedure to be done even outside the medical centers.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 2015
Labor experts affirm that technologists with multiple certifications will have the best job prospects. Below is the employment prospects for radiological technologists across different classifications.

Employment projections data for Radiologic Technologists

and MRI Technologists, 2012-22
The U.S. states with the highest employment level in radiological technologist are as follows:

The metropolitan areas with the highest employment level are the following:

The non-metropolitan areas with the highest employment in radiological technologists are:
New York City Employment Prospects
In New York City, this job is expected to grow by 20% from 2010-2020. The state offers excellent pay and attractive benefits (as per 2013 figures). The average entry pay is $56,420 annually and the median pay is $70,390 annually. More experienced or specialized technologists can get $77,350 annually. The shared benefits for full-time work include medical insurance, a retirement plan, sick leave, and paid vacation. Some part-time radiologic technologists receive similar benefits.
The most popular employers in the New York City areas include the following: Montefiore Medical Center; Jacobi Medical Center; St. Barnabas Hospital; Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS); NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital; Mount Sinai Medical Center; and NYU Langone Medical Center. These employers require an associate's degree for an entry-level radiologic technologist work while some employers may only require a certificate from a hospital-based program.

Employment prospects for other states

According to the All Healthcare Website, the Top 10 Highest Paying States for Radiologic Technologists are the following:
1. Massachusetts $30.83
2. New Jersey $ 28.74
3. New York $ 28.66
4. Maryland $ 28.51
5. California $ 28.40
6. Hawaii $ 28.36
7. Nevada $ 27.88
8. Connecticut $ 27.84
9. Washington $ 27.81
10. Alaska $ 27.48

Pay Rates

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimated its 2014 mean wage as follows:
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:
The median annual wage for radiologic technologists was $54,620 in May, 2012. The median wage refers to the salary at which 50% of the workers in an occupation get paid by over this amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,060, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $77,160. Meanwhile, the median annual wage for MRI technologists was $65,360 in the same year. The lowest 10% get paid by less than $46,400, and the highest 10% get paid by more than $89,130.

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics report the following top paying metropolitan areas for this occupation:

Meanwhile, the top paying non-metropolitan areas for this occupation are the following:
Positive Trends and Projections
It is vital for new graduates to stand out as students and when they apply for work. If they lack the experience, they must be attractive to future employers. Different tactics include: 1) leaving a great impression on the people they interacted with during their clinical training (this entails being punctual, working hard, being polite and professional, getting to know as many people as possible at their clinical areas, sending a thank you note to their clinical instructor and the site's human resources department, among others); 2) staying in touch with the supervisor from their clinical center by calling periodically or paying a visit so they can hear about potential job openings before they are even posted; 3) taking courses in advanced modalities such as CT or MRI so that they can take advanced certification exams (employers will be more likely to hire radiological technologists if they have more than one specialty); 4) creating a solid and impressive résumé (no typo errors, good grammar, good format, easy to read, customized to the specific job and employer, among others); and 5) standing out in an interview (by researching on the employer beforehand, speaking well/formally, showing passion for the work, and being able to explain, for example, how they would handle challenging scenarios with a patient if they were to be hired).
The skills and abilities that employers usually look for are the following: professionalism and a pleasant attitude; dependability; strong communication and people skills; ability to lift/push heavy objects and to move quickly around the clinical site; problem solving skills and ability to “think outside of the box”; they must be able to get the patient to cooperate with them and to position him/her to get the best image possible; compassion and ability to make patients feel comfortable; ability to stay calm in stressful situations; motivation to develop an understanding of the needs of the radiology department and the individual people within it; ability to communicate and work well with all of them; being a team player.
Radiologic technologists may also pursue advanced certification(s) in areas such as: mammography; Computed Tomography (CT); Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI); Quality Management; and/or Interventional Radiology (common procedures include angiography, balloon angioplasty, gastronomy tube, and varicose vein treatment).
Eversince, the radiologic technology profession has been characterized as a relatively "flat" career path. Radiographers have always been involved in the majority of the labor force. Individuals who aim to advance while being in the clinical setting usually decide to branch out into specialty imaging sector like MR, CT or mammography. Getting into these specialty sectors makes a highly valuable multiskilled technologist.
However, becoming multi-skilled is not true career advancement, according to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. They reasoned that the multi skills only move an employee horizontally in the career direction but not upwards. An MR technologist may have a varied work description than a radiographer but he has not gone up to a greater level of professional practice and secured the utmost levels of accountability, power and independence which come with it. Being multiskilled or multi varied radiologic technologist is a notable pursuit and an important asset to the worker and the boss, but it is not equal to a promotion of a technologist.
Hence, to create an real upward mobility in this profession, there must be new career levels both above and below the present standing of registered radiologic technologists. The multi skilled practice level is popularly called as a radiologist assistant. Meanwhile, the pre-professional level is called R.T. aide. Taking extra career advancement opportunities in this profession shall lead to better job fulfillment, enhanced self-esteem and career confidence, greater employee self esteem in the radiology department, and greater acknowledgment of the functions of the radiologic technologist. Each of these sets of values shall enahnce the radiologic technologist’ initiatives to invite new candidates and to retain skilled radiologi technologists.
On the other hand, there are some negative outlooks for the new radiological technology graduates. There is some bad prediction that the radiology requirements will dwindle with more advanced equipment. This change can cause a contraction in the demand for the job at most centers while new ones are opening. Another factor is the regression of the economy and the lowering of interest rates. Because of these, the retiring radiological technologists are postponing their retirements and holding on to their jobs. Starting in 2008, the radiologic technology labor force did not retire. Radiologic technologists are mostly the majority of the Baby Boomers. There are varied reasons for this and a big factor under this is that radiological technology career is often taken as a second course/career by many. Things can change with the emergence of the Accountable Care Act. There should be an increased demand for services. The increased demand for services will mean that more patients will come in and it will create some movement and more jobs for radiological technologists.

Works Cited:

All Healthcare Monster Website. “Top 10 Best and Worst States to be a Radiologic Technologist.” 2015. Accessed on 28 March 2015 < http://allhealthcare.monster.com/careers/articles/2791-top-10-best-and-worst-states-to-be-a-radiologic-technologist>.
American Society of Radiologic Technologists. “Who Are Radiologic Technologists?” 2015. Accessed on 28 March 2015 < http://www.asrt.org/main/careers/careers-in-radiologic-technology/who-are-radiologic-technologists>.
Bureau of Labor and Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook,” 2014-2015 edition. 2015. Accessed on 28 March 2015 < http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292034.htm>.
Bureau of Labor and Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook,” 2014-2015 edition. 2015. Accessed on 28 March 2015 < http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292034.htm>.
Bureau of Labor and Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wages.” 2015. Accessed on 28 March 2015 < http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292034.htm>.
Bureau of Labor and Statistics. “Occupational Employment Statistics.” 2015. Accessed on 28 March 2015 < http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292034.htm>.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition. Radiologic and MRI Technologists. Accessed on 28 March 2015 <http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm.
Jobs for the Future. “Radiologic Technologist.” N.d. Accessed on 28 March 2015 < http://www.jff.org/sites/default/files/JFF%2520Bronx%2520CC%2520Radiologic%2520Technologist%2520Best%2520Bet%2520Profile_0_0.pdf>.