Mississippi In Demand Career Highlight: Radiologic Technologist

Summary

Jacob Clack introduces the profession of radiologic technologists, who utilize X-rays and other imaging tools to diagnose internal issues. He explains the various modalities like MRI and ultrasound, which offer different perspectives of the skeletal and soft tissues. To become a rad tech, one must complete a two-year program and pass a certification exam, with opportunities to specialize further. The job is hands-on, patient-focused, and can vary from a regular clinic to a hospital setting with different work schedules. The average salary is $49,880 per year, and the role requires strong math skills for technical computations in X-ray procedures.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jacob Cack is a radiologic technologist, also known as a rad tech, who uses X-rays and other imaging tools for diagnostics.
• 🔍 Rad techs are crucial in creating images of internal organs, bones, and tissues, which aid in diagnosing and treating various conditions.
• 🏥 The career is interesting due to the variety of modalities like General Radiology, MRI, CT, and ultrasound that provide different levels of diagnostic insight.
• 🎓 To become a rad tech, one must complete a two-year radiologic technology program and pass a national certification exam.
• 📈 Career advancement opportunities include specialization in areas such as CT, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, or radiation therapy.
• 📚 Jacob's education at a local community college connected him to local hospitals, leading to job opportunities.
• 💼 Common workplaces for rad techs include hospitals, outpatient care centers, and physicians' offices.
• 🕒 Work schedules can range from 36 to 40 hours a week, depending on the setting and role.
• 💰 The average annual salary for rad techs is $49,880, with variations based on the specific role and location.
• 🏥 Clinic rad techs typically work a Monday through Friday schedule, performing general X-rays like chest and extremities.
• 🏥 Hospital rad techs might work a seven-day shift followed by seven days off, offering a unique work-life balance.
• 🧳 Travel techs have the opportunity to work in different cities for a set period, providing flexibility and variety in their work experience.
• 🤝 Rad techs are hands-on with patients, dealing with diverse people and imaging procedures daily, making the job task-oriented and dynamic.
• 📈 Strong skills in science or math are beneficial for rad techs, as math plays a significant role in calculating technical factors and dosages for X-rays.

Q & A

What is the profession of Jacob Cack as mentioned in the script?

Jacob Cack is a radiologic technologist.

What is another term for radiologic technologists?

Radiologic technologists are also known as rad techs.

What tools do rad techs use to create images of internal structures?

Rad techs use X-rays and other diagnostic imaging tools to create images of internal organs, bones, and tissues.

What is the educational requirement to become a rad tech?

To become a rad tech, one must complete a two-year radiologic technology program at a community college.

What exam must be taken after completing the radiologic technology program?

After completing the program, one must take a national certification exam to become certified.

Can a rad tech specialize in certain areas of radiology?

Yes, rad techs can specialize in areas such as computer tomography, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, or radiation therapy.

How did Jacob connect with local hospitals and job opportunities?

Jacob connected with local hospitals and job opportunities through his degree program at a local community college.

What are the common work locations for radiology technicians?

The most common work locations for radiology technicians are hospitals, outpatient care centers, and physicians' offices.

What is the average weekly work hours for a radiology technician?

The average weekly work hours for a radiology technician can vary from 36 to 40 hours.

What is the average annual salary for a radiology technician across the state?

The average annual salary for a radiology technician is $49,880.

What are some of the different work schedules a radiology technician might have?

A radiology technician might work a typical Monday through Friday schedule in a clinic, a seven-day shift in a hospital, or as a travel tech moving between different hospitals for a set period.

Why is radiology an interesting field according to the script?

Radiology is interesting because it involves working with the full skeletal system and multiple modalities that allow for different levels of diagnostic imaging.

What skills are important for someone considering a career as a rad tech?

Skills in science, math, and technical computation are important for a career as a rad tech, as math plays a significant role in determining X-ray dosages and technical factors.