Radiology Technician Careers and Degrees in DC
Receiving your Radiologic Technologist Training in Washington, DC
Because Washington, DC, is only a city, very few radiology technician schools are located within its boundaries. Most of the area’s medical imaging and radiology schools are outside of city limits in the states of Maryland and Virginia. However, Washington Adventist Hospital has a School of Radiography that works in conjunction with Montgomery College to offer students a program leading to an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in radiologic technology. Prospective radiology techs must complete 15 credit hours of general education courses before applying at the hospital. The program is 24 months in length and includes both classroom studies and clinical instruction. Graduates of the program meet the requirements for certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and can work in Washington, DC.
In addition to the program at Washington Adventist Hospital, a bachelor’s degree program is offered by the Howard University College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences. This program is four years in length, including two summer sessions in clinical radiation therapy. Georgetown University also offers a six-year Master of Science (M.S.) program in radiation science.
Radiology Technician Licensing in Washington, DC
The District of Columbia Department of Health does not require radiologic technologists to be licensed in order to practice in Washington, DC. Employers, however, maintain strict hiring standards, and most will require that radiology techs have taken the national examination administered by ARRT and maintain ARRT certification before being considered for a position. National certification also makes it easier for radiologist technicians to become licensed to work in the nearby states of Maryland and Virginia.
To become certified by ARRT, candidates must apply to take the national examination within three years of graduating with a degree from an approved radiology technician school. However, current students may apply in the last three months of their expected graduation date. Candidates are also required to be of good moral character and must be able to defend any felony or misdemeanor convictions and any disciplinary actions from an occupational licensing board. Applicants must pay a $200 registration fee, and continuing education credits must be earned every two years to maintain certification.
Washington D.C. Area Radiologic Technology Association
Maryland Society of Radiologic Technologists
Virginia Society of Radiologic Technologists
Career Outlook for Radiology Tech Jobs in Washington, DC
The career outlook and average salaries for radiologic technicians in Washington, DC, are some of the most favorable in the nation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a division of the U.S. Department of Labor, reports that jobs are increasing for radiologic technologists at the rate of 28 percent. This is double the rate for all occupations in the nation. Approximately 219,000 radiology techs were working in the U.S. in 2010, and this is expected to increase to 281,000 by 2020. Most of the radiology technologists in Washington, DC, work in hospitals, but 21 percent work in doctors’ offices, 9 percent work in diagnostic laboratories and 3 percent work in outpatient clinics.
According to a six-month survey completed in October 2013, the median radiology technician salary in Washington, DC, is $76,000 per year. This is nearly $22,000 higher than the national median of $54,340 and nearly $37,000 higher than the median salary for health technologists. In addition, the top tenth percentile of radiologist technicians can expect to earn a salary at least 29 percent higher than the median.
District Of Columbia
George Washington University (Washington, DC)
Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Science in Sonography
Sonography Certificate Program