Radiology Technician Schools in Nevada

Receiving your Radiologic Technologist Training in Nevada

Nevada residents considering a career as a radiologic technologist should plan on achieving a two-year Associates Degree that includes their radiology technician school training. The AA degree will be a requirement for radiologist technician certification and licensing for students who graduate after December 31, 2014. Current radiology technician schools take approximately six to twelve months to complete. Nevada students should choose a program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). This ensures their program meets the certification and testing requirements to become a radiologic technologist. Whether a student attends a stand-alone radiology technologist program or an AA degree program, classes will include anatomy, physiology, medical terms, patient care, and radiology procedures. Students then complete clinical hands-on training with real patients in hospitals or clinics. During clinicals, students practice and perfect their classroom knowledge as they learn to operate and maintain radiologic technology equipment. Students also learn to communicate effectively with patients before and during procedures. Accredited radiologic technologist training programs ensure students are well-prepared to take their certification examinations prior to graduation. Most certified graduates of radiology technician schools join the American Society of Radiology Technologists as part of their ongoing professional development.

Radiology Technician Licensing in Nevada

After graduation from an accredited Nevada radiology technician school, students take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam. This exam covers the knowledge and skills expected of entry-level radiology techs. The state of Nevada does not issue licenses to certified radiology technicians except those with specialties in mammography. A separate exam is required for this certification. Hospitals and clinics expect radiologic techs to be certified through ARRT and be able to operate the equipment in their programs. ARRT certified radiologic technologists have learned patient care skills, technical skills and professional ethics during their studies. Radiologic technicians in Nevada should hold both a certification and a registration through ARRT to have the best job prospects in the field. ARRT requires annual re-certification and ongoing professional education.

Career Outlook for Radiology Tech Jobs in Nevada

The career outlook for radiology tech jobs in Nevada is positive as the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates growth of 28 percent by 2020. Radiology technician salary outlooks are also quite positively. In 2012, the BLS reported the annual average salary for a Nevada radiologic tech was $62,590. Techs with multiple certifications, such as MRI or CT specialties or mammography, might earn significantly more per year. Radiology technicians usually work in hospitals and increasingly in free-standing outpatient imaging centers. Some doctors’ offices also employ radiology techs for in-house imaging needs. More radiological technician jobs will be in the outpatient settings in the future, as care shifts to those sites, according to the BLS. Radiologic technologists will work with cutting edge scientific and medical equipment as part of a vibrant and growing profession. Job growth and career advancement should be available to dedicated, talented and well-educated Nevada radiological technicians in the future.

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