Identifying ulcers, fixing a broken bone, and diagnosing cancer may seem like entirely different medical tasks – which they, admittedly, are – but there is still a common thread uniting them all. Without the assistance of a radiology technician – also known as radiologic technologist, X-ray tech, or any other combination of the terms thereof – any of these operations becomes harder at best and impossible at worst. With this importance comes responsibility – both for protecting the patient and oneself from radiation and for operating complex state-of-the-art machinery. There is certainly something alluring about the idea of harnessing the power of radiation, which has only been recently subjected to human will, to help people and achieve healthcare goals. Yet such poetics are far from the only benefit offered by this career choice, and even the most pragmatic person would agree on its merits. The radiology technician career offers a well-rounded medical education, comes with a competitive salary, and – importantly in the age when AI makes many occupations obsolete – is in no danger of extinction in the foreseeable future.
First of all, a general overview of radiologic technology as a specialty is in order. As mentioned above, a radiology technician is responsible for using imaging equipment, primarily X-ray, to assist in diagnostics. Their role is to produce images of internal organs, bones, and soft tissues to assist in diagnosing the patient’s condition. Professionals in this field need to have a thorough understanding of X-ray radiation and its dangers and use protective equipment skillfully to shield patients, colleagues, and themselves (“Radiology Technician”). A proper understanding of patient positioning is also a required area of expertise. Like any healthcare professional, a radiologic technician needs a good command of medical knowledge to be properly oriented in the situation (“Radiology Technician”). Finally, a radiology technician is also responsible for explaining the procedures and safety measures to patients as well as interviewing them (Collins). Having this clarified, it is time to proceed to why this career is a sensible and rewarding choice.
As mentioned above, a radiology technician needs to be a capable specialist in several areas related to the chosen profession. As a consequence, learning to become one requires undergoing a considerable number of theoretic courses that combine to form a well-rounded education. To begin with, a radiologic technologist receives courses in general radiography, radiation biology, and radiation protection (Callaway 7-8). Apart from that, being a qualified medical professional, an X-ray tech also has to pass courses in human anatomy and pathology (“Collins”). Principles of patient care and positioning are also a vital component of education in this field. Naturally, a competent radiology technician should be capable of making a distinction between a good image and a non-diagnostic one, which is why image evaluation is yet another essential part of professional education (Callaway 8). Ethical and legal aspects of the profession are not excluded either, and, upon graduating, a competent radiologic technologist will have a good understanding of moral, legal, and professional responsibilities (Callaway 7). As such, education in radiologic technology offers a multifaceted curriculum – which is important since it can serve as a very solid foundation for personal and professional development.
Theoretical education is only one part of the equation – as with other medical specialties, learning to become a radiology tech also involves plentiful clinical practice. It is one thing to learn the principles of patient positioning in theory and another to apply them in practice. The same goes for radiation protection – given its paramount importance, a radiologic technologist needs to hone the corresponding skills to near-perfection by applying them in practice in a clinical setting. This clinical education takes several semesters, as the student works alongside licensed professionals and gradually assumes a greater role in their operations (Callaway 7). Apart from the purely educational benefits, most practice sites also evaluate the students for possible future employment. This dual nature of education in medicine and healthcare combining both theoretical subjects and clinical practice is why it has the reputation of being exceedingly difficult – and not without good reason either. There is no way around that: studying to become a radiology technician is hard. Yet, at the end of the day, most worthwhile things in life are, and medical education that provides knowledge in many relevant disciplines simultaneously certainly counts as one.
Benefits of the education aside, the radiology technician career is also rewarding in a more pecuniary sense. There is a rising demand for specialists in the field, which is expected to grow by 9 percent by 2030 (“Radiology Technician”). Growing demand provides for better employment opportunities and wages, and radiologic technologists fare reasonably well in this regard. In 2019, the average yearly earnings for a practicing professional in the field were around $63,000 (“Radiology Tech Salaries”). The top ten percent made approximately $90,000, and the annual income of the bottom ten percent was around $41,000 (“Radiology Tech Salaries”). Perhaps unsurprisingly, average salaries grow with the professional’s educational degree. The average annual salary for a radiology technician with an associate degree is slightly above $53,000, and the bachelor’s degree offers an increase to $56,000 (“Radiology Tech Salaries”). As for the master’s degree, it may earn the professional around $71,000 yearly (“Radiology Tech Salaries”). Bottom line, it is not the job to become rich quickly and easily, but it offers a competitive salary well above the national averages, and, given the market’s development, one can be sure of one’s future.
Speaking of the future, a career in radiologic technology is secure in a different sense as well, since it is secure from being replaced by technology. The rapid pace of technological innovation and digitalization has made many occupations obsolete during the last decades. The developments in the AI field seem particularly threatening in this respect, as they can replace human labor in purely technical operations. However, it is not a problem that radiology technicians are likely to encounter in the foreseeable future. A recent study reveals that almost two-thirds of radiology professionals think it unlikely that AI technology may threaten their employment even in the long-term perspective (Abuzaid et al. 3). For comparison, only sixteen percent think there is such a threat (Abuzaid et al. 3). With as many variables and factors to keep in mind – both technical and medical – it is unlikely that computer programs will be able to replace human professionalism in radiologic technology. Thus, radiology technicians are not likely to go extinct anytime soon.
Moreover, research suggests that this optimistic attitude is well-founded and rational rather than emotional. One could certainly think that radiologic technologists are simply in denial and, hence, their judgments are wrong. That could be true if they denied the application of AI with a sort of Luddite arrogance. However, evidence suggests this is not the case because radiologists heartily welcome the introduction of AI to their workplace. Abuzaid et al. point out that as much as 66 percent of radiology professionals, radiology technicians included, are excited about the prospect (3). In a similar vein, a connected publication notes that AI can be particularly important for image evaluation (Azevedo-Marques and Ferreira). Thus, the perception of the AI technology as unlikely to replace in medical radiology is not a psychological defense mechanism to cope with the impending threat. Rather, it is a reasonable assessment of the opportunities granted by the new technology based on the understanding of its use and limitations. To put it shortly, radiology technicians are ready to embrace technology – it is in the name, after all – but are in no danger of being overshadowed by it.
As one can see, a radiology technician career is a sound and most certainly worthwhile option. Apart from providing a well-rounded medical education that enables personal and professional growth, it also offers a decent salary and is in no danger of technology-prompted extinction. On top of all that, there is no denying the social importance of the profession. Radiography technicians are among those humble yet essentials professionals who ensure the functioning of the immensely complex system that is modern healthcare. Admittedly, the profession and the education for it may not be perfect, since very few things are. Yet, while there is room for improvement, such as a greater emphasis on new technological developments, including the aforementioned AI, discussing it would go well beyond the limits of this paper. That is a topic for another time – and the one that in no way diminishes the importance or viability of a radiology technician career.
Works Cited
Abuzaid, Mohammed M., et al. “Assessment of the Willingness of Radiologists and Radiographers to Accept the Integration of Artificial Intelligence into Radiology Practice.” Academic Radiology, online ahead of print, Web.
Azevedo-Marques, Paula M., and José Raniery Ferreira Jr. “Medical Image Analyst: A Radiology Career Focused on Comprehensive Quantitative Imaging Analytics to Improve Healthcare.” Academic Radiology, online ahead of print, Web.
Callaway, William J. Introduction to Radiologic Technology. 8th ed., Elsevier, 2020.
Collins. Emma. “How to Become a Radiology Tech.” Health Job, Web.
“Radiology Technician: Degrees, Careers, and Certification.” All Allied Health Schools, Web.
“Radiology Tech Salaries by State.” Radiology Schools 411, Web.