Kansas Radiology Tech Careers and Degrees

Receiving your Radiologic Technologist Training in Kansas

To work as a radiologic technologist in Kansas, you must complete a four-year course of study at an approved secondary school or you must have passed an approved secondary school in another state or pass an equivalency test. As of January 2015, all students must complete at least an associate degree or higher to become a radiologic technologist, according to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). To be state-approved, the program must be accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JCERT). Training programs include lectures, laboratory courses and clinical education.

As part of the curriculum, you will listen to lectures, and complete courses in human anatomy and physiology, venipuncture, radiologic procedures, medical imaging and human disease. During the clinical education, you obtain supervised, hands-on training performing various radiographic procedures. When you successfully complete the program requirements, you can sit for the ARRT certification exam. Once you have obtained certification, you can apply for licensure as a radiologic technologist in Kansas.

There are currently nine accredited schools in Kansas that offer radiologic technology programs. Radiology technology programs typically have program-specific requirements that must be met prior to admissions. Although it varies by school, requirements may include completion of prerequisite courses and proof of health requirements, criminal background checks, drug screenings and insurance.

Radiology Technician Licensing in Kansas

To work as radiologic tech in the state of Kansas, candidates must be licensed through the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts. Before you can become licensed, you must show proof of completion of the accredited radiologic technology program and certification through an approved agency such as the ARRT. You must also be at least 18 years of age. To meet the requirements set by the ARRT, you must demonstrate competency in 39 mandatory radiological procedures. You must perform 30 of the procedures on actual patients, and the rest may be simulations or may be performed on phantoms. Additionally, four general patient care competencies must be completed. To maintain Kansas licensure, the radiology tech must complete 12 credits of continuing education within the 12-month period prior to the license expiration date. Twelve credits is equivalent to 50 minutes of instruction.

Kansas Radiologic Technology Association

Kansas Society of Radiologic Technologists

Career Outlook for Radiology Tech Jobs in Kansas

The employment predications for radiologic technologists or technicians are very good. The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the 2010-2020 decade is expected to see employment growths of up to 28% for radiologic technicians. This expected growth, which is faster than average for all occupations, is most attributed to the increasing number of aging population who require radiologic procedures for their medical conditions. A BLS report indicates that the radiology technician salary is steadily growing. Radiologic technologists in Kansas earn a mean annual wage of $48,920, an amount slightly lower than the national average of $56,450, according to the BLS.

While hospitals still offer the most jobs for radiology techs, more opportunities are opening up at doctors’ offices, outpatient facilities, imaging centers and medical clinics. Radiologic technologists who have certifications in multiple areas generally have more career options. Radiologic technologists may advance their training and branch out into other areas of radiology, such as diagnostic medical sonography, nuclear medicine technology or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Students with a degree in radiologic technology may complete 1-year programs in advanced fields like nuclear medicine technology or MRI. They may also receive on-the-job training and become diagnostic medical sonographers. These careers also require certification. Some schools may offer internships for registered technologists to help students further their training.