Radiology Technician Schools in PA
Receiving your Radiologic Technologist Training in Pennsylvania
Radiologic technologist programs in Pennsylvania offer future professionals a number of options for getting the training and education needed to be successful in this career. From certificates in radiological technology to master’s and doctorate degrees in radiology technology, you can pursue the education that is best suited to your needs and career goals.
In most certificate programs, you are able to complete technical training in one year. Associate’s degrees for radiology technology can typically be completed in two years, and there are bachelor degree programs in various specializations that can be completed in four or more years. Master’s degree completion, on average, takes two years, and doctorate degrees can take up to seven years to complete.
In addition to any required general education requirements, you will complete a number of hands-on laboratory courses in which you will practice various types of medical imaging under the supervision of medical imaging professionals or qualified faculty. In addition, many schools offer opportunities for internships and externships. Some schools in Pennsylvania to consider are Penn State, the Community College of Philadelphia, Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences, and Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Radiology Technician Licensing in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the certifications and licensing that are required for radiology technicians is partially dependent on where a professional radiologists works. For example, to practice any type of radiological technology procedures in a physician’s office, technologists are required to hold a license. However, this license is not required in work settings outside of a physician’s office.
All radiologists in Pennsylvania, though, are required to complete the initial certification issued by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Currently, requirements for certification include completion of an accredited educational program. By 2015, radiology technicians will be required to have completed a degree program for certification. In addition to education, certified radiology technicians must hold pathway certification with a number of practical experience hours, pass an examination, and pass a conduct and ethics check that includes a review of felonies, misdemeanors, and criminal procedures. Currently, re-certification and continuing education are not required in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Radiologic Technology Association
Pennsylvania Society of Radiologic Technologists
Career Outlook for Radiology Tech Jobs in Pennsylvania
Radiology technologists have a number of options for specializations and workplace environments to choose from. Some of the possibilities for what specialization to pursue include mammography, sonography, breast sonography, vascular sonography, radiography, bone densitometry, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and cardiac-interventional sonography. Nuclear medical technologists, radiation therapists, and diagnostic medical sonographers are also specialties within this field. Technicians for any of these specializations include physician’s offices, hospitals, and medical clinics.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions in radiology technology are expected to grow by 28 percent, which is a faster rate than the average of all positions. In addition, professionals in this position earn an average salary of $54,340 per year around the country.
Radiology technicians in Pennsylvania earned an average annual salary of $52,970 in 2012 across a total of 9,600 positions. The areas with the highest percentages of those positions were located in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metropolitan areas of the state.