Mississippi In Demand Career Highlight: Radiologic Technologist

Get2College

1 Dec 202203:01

Summary

TLDRJacob 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.

Outlines

00:00

🏥 Introduction to Radiologic Technology

Jacob Clack introduces himself as a radiologic technologist, also known as rad tech, who uses X-rays and other diagnostic imaging tools to create images of internal organs, bones, and tissues. He explains the role of rad techs in diagnosing and treating patients, mentioning various modalities like General Radiology, MRI, CT, and ultrasound that help in seeing different levels of the skeletal and soft tissue systems. The video script outlines the educational path to become a rad tech, which involves completing a two-year program and a national certification exam, and the potential for specialization in areas like CT, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, or radiation therapy.

🎓 Career Path and Opportunities in Radiology

The script discusses the career opportunities available to radiologic technologists, including the connection to local hospitals through community college degrees and the variety of work settings such as hospitals, outpatient care centers, and physicians' offices. It also covers the typical work hours, which can range from 36 to 40 hours per week, and the average salary in the state. The different work schedules for clinic and hospital technicians are highlighted, including the possibility of a seven-day workweek followed by seven days off, as well as the option of becoming a travel tech, moving between cities for temporary assignments.

🕒 Work Schedule and Patient Interaction

This part of the script delves into the work schedule of radiologic technicians, emphasizing the hands-on nature of the job with patients and the daily variety of imaging procedures. It describes the common tasks performed by clinic technicians, such as general X-rays, and contrasts this with the potentially irregular schedules of hospital technicians. The script also touches on the benefits and downsides of different work schedules and the unique opportunity of travel tech positions, which involve moving to different cities for work.

🔢 The Importance of Math in Radiologic Technology

The final paragraph of the script highlights the importance of math and technical skills in the field of radiologic technology. It suggests that individuals with a strong aptitude for science and math would find the program suitable, as there are many technical factors involved in taking X-rays. The script emphasizes the need for accurate computation to ensure the correct dosage during imaging procedures, indicating the precision required in this healthcare profession.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Radiologic Technologist

A radiologic technologist, also known as a rad tech, is a healthcare professional who uses X-rays and other imaging techniques to create images of internal structures within the body. In the script, Jacob Clack introduces himself as a radiologic technologist and explains the role in diagnosing various medical conditions by using different imaging modalities.

💡Diagnostic Imaging

Diagnostic imaging refers to the process of capturing images of internal body parts for medical analysis. In the script, it is mentioned as a crucial tool in creating images of organs, bones, and tissues, which helps in identifying and diagnosing medical issues.

💡X-rays

X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation used in medical imaging to visualize bones and certain tissues. The script explains that radiologic technologists use X-rays to see the skeletal system and assist in diagnosing broken bones and other conditions.

💡MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of soft tissues and organs. The script mentions MRI as one of the modalities that allow technologists to see more than just the skeletal system, providing insights into soft tissues.

💡CT Scans

Computed Tomography (CT) scans are a type of medical imaging that combines X-rays with computer technology to produce cross-sectional images of the body. The script discusses CT scans as a tool for radiologic technologists to 'dig into' various diagnostic and prognostic aspects of patient care.

💡Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of structures within the body. It is highlighted in the script as another imaging modality that radiologic technologists use, particularly for visualizing soft tissues and organs in real-time.

💡Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine involves the use of small amounts of radioactive materials to diagnose and treat diseases. In the script, it is mentioned as one of the possible specializations for radiologic technologists, indicating its role in imaging physiological functions.

💡Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses ionizing radiation to treat cancer and other diseases. The script briefly mentions this as a potential area of specialization for radiologic technologists, showing its importance in the treatment aspect of healthcare.

💡Certification

Certification in the context of radiologic technology refers to the process of becoming officially recognized as qualified to perform specific duties. The script explains that after completing a two-year program, technologists must pass a national certification exam to practice.

💡Community College

A community college is an educational institution that offers two-year programs, including radiologic technology programs. The script mentions attending a local community college as the pathway to becoming a radiologic technologist.

💡Specialization

Specialization in radiologic technology refers to focusing on a specific area of imaging to gain advanced skills and knowledge. The script lists several areas of specialization such as CT, MRI, ultrasound, and more, emphasizing the diverse career paths available within the field.

💡Work Setting

The work setting refers to the physical location where radiologic technologists perform their duties. The script describes various settings such as hospitals, outpatient care centers, and physicians' offices, indicating the range of environments in which they may work.

💡Salary

Salary is the fixed compensation paid to radiologic technologists for their work. The script provides an average salary figure, giving an idea of the financial aspect of this career.

💡Travel Tech

A travel tech refers to a radiologic technologist who works in temporary positions in different locations. The script mentions this as an alternative career path, allowing technologists to experience various work environments and cities.

💡Hands-On

Being hands-on in the context of radiologic technology means directly interacting with patients and performing imaging procedures. The script highlights the hands-on nature of the job, emphasizing the importance of patient interaction and procedure execution.

💡Science and Math

Science and math are foundational subjects that are important for radiologic technologists. The script suggests that a strong background in these areas can be beneficial for understanding the technical aspects of imaging and computing dosages.

Highlights

Jacob Cack introduces himself as a radiologic technologist.

Radiologic technologists, also known as rad techs, use X-rays and diagnostic imagery to create images of internal organs, bones, and tissues.

Rad techs help diagnose conditions like broken bones and are involved in ultrasounds.

Radiology is interesting due to its involvement with the full skeletal system and multiple diagnostic modalities.

Different modalities like General Radiology, MRI, CT, and ultrasound allow for various levels of diagnostic imaging.

Becoming a rad tech requires completing a two-year radiologic technology program and passing a national certification exam.

Career advancement in radiology can be achieved by specializing in areas like CT, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, or radiation therapy.

Jacob attended a local community college which connected him to local hospitals and job opportunities.

The most common workplaces for rad techs are hospitals, outpatient care centers, and physicians' offices.

Work hours for rad techs can vary from 36 to 40 hours per week, depending on the setting.

The average salary for rad techs is $49,880 per year.

Clinic rad techs typically work Monday through Friday, performing general X-rays like chest and extremity scans.

Hospital rad techs may work a seven-day shift followed by seven days off, offering a unique work schedule.

Travel rad techs move from city to city, working for a set time in different hospitals.

Rad techs are hands-on with patients, dealing with various people, scenarios, and imaging procedures daily.

A task-oriented job, radiology keeps rad techs busy and engaged.

Radiology is a suitable career for those strong in science or math, as math plays a significant role in X-ray computations and dosage.