Demand for radiologic and MRI technologists as a field is expected to grow 7% a year. Not only is that faster than average compared to other fields but there are already a quarter-million radiologists in the USA.
How can continuing credits help you get into an advanced radiology position?
Keep reading to find out how to keep pushing the boundaries of your career.
Radiologic Technologists: The Workhorse of Radiology
Radiologic technologists provide high quality images for the radiologists. They work in multiple modalities including CT, X-ray, MRI, or Ultrasound, to name a few. A lot of people think that all they do is take x-rays, but technologists’ specializations in multiple modalities are as diverse as radiologists.
The radiologic technologists work in sync with a variety of medical professionals such as nurses and doctors.
You’ll be:
- Prepping patients for various types of imaging
- Maintaining imaging equipment
- Operating imaging equipment
- Capturing quality images on the imaging equipment
- Evaluating the images to see if more are needed, as well as in identifying anomalies
As you can see, it’s a lot of work. Everyone in radiology, though, needs to make sure they don’t stop learning.
In order to keep your license and certifications with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists® (ARRT®), you have to continue your education. That means radiology continuing education (CE) courses.
As a radiologic technologist, you need to get at least 24 CE credits during a two-year period.
What Skills Do You Need For a Career in Radiology?
There are many skills that you will need over and above your technical training.
For example:
- Teamwork skills
- Computer skills
- Physical dexterity
- Communication skills
- Relationship building
- Research skills
- Writing skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving
- Organizational skills
These additional skills can help you to advance to a different modality within radiology.
Using continuing education, you’ll continue to gather new knowledge. Knowledge is nothing unless you can put it to work in a practical way, which is where problem-solving and organizational skills come into play.
Many people have fear of imaging procedures, equipment, and radiation. To get over those fears, you’ll have to have good communication and relationship skills. Working with patients and doctors, nurses, and other technologists, teamwork skills are essential.
Different Specialties in Advanced Radiology
New specialties of radiology and imaging are becoming available as technology continues to develop. Within general x-ray, mammography, nuclear medicine, MRI, and ultrasound imaging there are subspecialties.
What are some of these radiology subspecialties?
- Cardiovascular (x-ray, CT, ultrasound, MRI)
- Chest (x-ray, CT, ultrasound, MRI)
- Breast imaging (x-ray,ultrasound, MRI)
- Emergency (x-ray, CT, ultrasound, MRI)
- Gastrointestinal (x-ray, CT, ultrasound, MRI)
- Genitourinary (x-ray, CT, ultrasound, MRI)
- Interventional (x-ray, fluoroscopy, CT, ultrasound, MRI)
- Neuroradiology (x-ray, CT, ultrasound, MRI)
- Pediatric (x-ray, fluoroscopy, CT, ultrasound, MRI)
- Musculoskeletal (x-ray, CT, ultrasound, MRI)
- Head and Neck (x-ray, CT, ultrasound, MRI)
- Nuclear Medicine (Gamma, PET, PET/CT)
- Radiation Oncology (x-ray treatments (internal or external sources))
Continuing education can lead to getting certified in these subspecialties.
What Do the Subspecialties Do?
Looking at the names of some of these. It’s fairly easy to determine what kind of subspecialty it is. Others, though, such as interventional, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine make our picture of the required tasks a bit fuzzy.
In nuclear medicine, you image and treat patients using targeted radioactive material and procedures. Most organs in the body must be imaged, including the skeleton. You’ll also be treating conditions like thyroid cancer and thyroid gland disorders.
In interventional radiology, you’ll be using minimally invasive techniques for intervention. These include, but are not limited to angiography, stent placement, and angioplasty. You’ll also need to perform or assist in biopsies, line and tube placements, fluid and abscess drainage, uterine fibroid removal, and more. It’s a very “hands-on” form of radiology.
In every subspecialty, patients’ lives and welfare are on the line. You’ll be assisting doctros and others to accurately diagnose and treat minor and major conditions. Your role actively affects patient outcomes and therapy.
Your Continued Education in Advanced Radiology
To stay current in your radiology career, you’ll need to get CEs. For that, you need an accredited and reliable source of educational tools and courses.
Look no further — SCRUBS CE is your continuing education partner. We strive our best to give a diverse, low-cost, high-quality continuing education environment. With courses at all levels of credit hours and subjects within radiology, you can expand your knowledge at your pace.
Place your order or contact us today and see how SCRUBS CE can help you transition into a new role in radiology!
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