Does the thought of having a regular work routine and being in an office from 9am until 5pm every Monday through Friday make you want to go back to school? If so, you’re not alone. Traditional jobs and conventional working hours aren’t for everybody.
If you’re a recent high school graduate or you’re already a member of the nation’s labor pool and you’re interested in a career that’s anything but predictable and static, you should consider becoming a radiology technician.
Radiologic Technologist: A Position Which Provides Lasting Benefits
Being a radiologic technologist provides many perks, the most enviable of which is the knowledge that you help people in need every shift you work. As a radiology technician, you fill a critical role in healthcare environments by facilitating healing, identifying maladies and injuries, and helping to save lives as a result. The biggest benefit of being a radiology technician is knowing that you make a difference in the lives of others every day you show up for work.
Because your work is so meaningful, you’ll develop a well-deserved sense of pride in what you do. No amount of money can rival the reward of knowing you contributed to the well-being of everyone you took images of and that, in some cases, you saved the life of someone’s loved one.
In addition to the great feelings of self-worth and accomplishment many radiologic technologists enjoy, you’ll also appreciate the following benefits if you become a radiology technician:
- Less Time in School: Whereas many professions in the healthcare industry require years and years of post-secondary education, you can learn to be a radiology technician in as little as two years. For many, this means you can get the education necessary to become a radiologic technologist without having to take on large sums of student debt or dedicate four years or more of your life to going back to school.
- Job Growth: Radiologic technologists are in demand, and that trend isn’t expected to slow down any time soon. According to national research, the demand for radiologic technologists is projected to increase by nine percent between 2014 and 2024, which means 20,700 new radiologic technologists positions are expected to be created by 2024.
- Specialty Opportunities: As a radiology technician, you’ll typically have the opportunity to hold positions other than the one you originally started out in. Many technicians get training in other kinds of imaging and develop specialties over time. If you start as an X-ray technician, for example, you can undergo cross-training to become an MRI, CT, or mammography technician.
- Every Day Is New: While you’ll be responsible for certain tasks every day, being a radiology technician will prevent you from falling into a dull and predictable daily routine. You’ll work with new patients every day and you’ll have to figure out how to take images of each patient individually. While you’ll use the same equipment, you’ll often have to overcome imaging challenges as you transition from one patient to another.
- Flexible Schedule: Radiologic technologists are employed by a variety of healthcare facilities, including outpatient care centers, clinics, hospitals, and laboratories. Depending on where you work and the facility’s hours, you may enjoy the benefit of having a flexible work schedule. If you work in a 24-hour setting, you may even be able to have long periods off every week if you can work 12-hour shifts on successive days.
- Autonomy: Another advantage to being a radiology technician is that the position is largely an autonomous one that still enables you to be a valuable part of a team. While you’ll often work alone, you’ll still interact with patients and consult with doctors, radiologists, and other technologists throughout each workday.
If radiology sounds like a field that interests you, reach out to StateCE today to learn how we can help you get started on this rewarding career path.