Maryland Radiology Tech Careers and Degrees
Receiving Your Radiologic Technologist Training in Maryland
Maryland has quite a few radiologic technologist programs to offer. These programs teach the skills necessary to perform a variety of x-ray procedures. All of the schools in Maryland are accredited and will adequately prepare you for the registry exam.
Most schools offer bare minimum courses to qualify graduates to sit for the registry exam and take two to three years to complete. There are are a few programs that will offer a bachelors degree in radiology technology and this will give you a more in depth look at the field. If you chose this program, you will take additional classes in liberal arts, science, and mathematics and complete your degree in four to five years. Graduates from this program are more likely to move into managerial positions and have more options to further their education.
All programs require three semesters of hands on experience in local hospitals and radiology clinics. There are some programs that offer clinical rotations at Johns Hopkins Hospital only, and students must apply to this hospital for acceptance into their student clinical rotations.
Radiology Technician Licensing in Maryland
According to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, a Maryland state license must be obtained for any person to work as a radiographer. Applicants must complete the state application, pass the ARRT exam, and pass a criminal history review. The fee is $150 for the initial license. Licenses are renewed every two years, and the renewal fee is $171.
In order to sit for the ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) registry exam all applicants must complete an accredited program in the last three years and pass an ethics review that evaluates criminal history. Beginning in January 2015, all applicants must hold at least an Associate’s degree from an accredited school. Once certified, the ARRT requires all licensed radiologic technologists to complete 24 hours of continuing education credits every two years and continue to pass the ethics review. CE credits are made readily available through regional and national professional societies, medical vendors, and through local and online educational seminars.
Maryland Radiologic Technology Association
Maryland Society of Radiologic Technologists
Career Outlook for Radiology Tech Jobs in Maryland
The career outlook for radiologic technologists is gradually improving in the U.S. As the baby boomer generation ages the demand for medical care increases. The demand for radiologic technologists is expected to increase by more than 17%.
New radiologic technologists have plenty of opportunity for growth. Graduates may cross train to specialize in CT, MRI, special procedures, radiation therapy, or nuclear medicine. Graduates may also choose to specialize by practice and work in cardiovascular labs, orthopedics, neurology, and many others. Those graduates who carry an academic degree may eventually move into a leadership position or choose to further their education and become a medical physicist or physician assistant, among others. The mean annual wage for a radiologic technologist in Maryland, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $54,620 with a median hourly wage of $31.41. Working as a federal employee gives the highest salary, with outpatient care centers offering the next best wage.
The demand for radiologic technologists in Maryland is very high. In fact, in order to increase the number of available radiologic technologists in the state, the Maryland Higher Education Commission offers aid to community colleges for their radiologic technologist programs under the Health Manpower Shortage program. Under this program, radiologic technologist students seeking an applied science degree may receive financial aid.