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Radiographers are medical personnel who perform diagnostic imaging examinations, accurately position patients, ensure quality diagnostic images are produced, follow physicians' orders precisely and conform to radiation protection regulations for themselves, their patients, and coworkers. They work closely with radiologists, the physicians who interpret medical images, to diagnose or rule out disease or injury.
Background Information
Radiographers must have an interest and aptitude in the sciences and a strong desire to help the ill. They are educated in anatomy, patient positioning, examination techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety, radiation protection and basic patient care. To become a registered radiologic technologist, RT(R), students must complete an accredited program and must pass a national certification examination. To remain registered, they must earn continuing education credits. Radiologic sciences offer a variety of specialty areas which include: computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, interventional radiography, mammography, nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography, quality management, sonography, medical dosimetry, radiation therapy, and bone densitometry.
Career Opportunities
Most radiographers or radiologic technologists work in hospitals or physicians' offices and clinics, including diagnostic imaging centers. Multi-skilled RT(R)s who are educated and credentialed in more than one type of imaging technique are the most marketable. With experience and additional education, staff radiographers may become specialists, performing CT scanning, angiography, and MRI, or advance into management or education. Radiation therapy, sonography, and nuclear medicine typically require an additional specialty training program. Currently there are job openings throughout the country. Salaries are competitive with other healthcare professions that require similar education. Mean annual earnings for radiographers is $47,010 (www.bls.gov, "National Occupational and Wage Estimates", May 2005)
The NDSU Bachelor of Science, RS Major
A bachelor of science degree with a major in radiologic sciences from NDSU includes two or more years of academic course work on campus and a 24-month internship in an accredited, affiliated radiography program. Transfer students need to successfully complete a minimum of 20 resident credits at NDSU prior to starting an internship. Academic course work focuses on the sciences and includes chemistry, physics, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, trigonometry and computer science. In addition, each student is required to complete a minimum of 12 credits of 300-400 level special elective courses on campus. Upon satisfactory completion of the educational and clinical experience, NDSU bestows the B.S. degree, major in Radiologic Sciences, and the graduate is eligible to take the national certification examination.
Internship Admission
Students may be eligible to apply for an internship in an accredited, affiliated radiography program as early on as the fall of their sophomore year, however, preference is given to applicants who will have completed all courses on campus prior to the start of an internship. Internship admission is competitive and based upon academic achievement, references, health-related work experience and an interview.
The 24-month full-time internship consists of classroom and clinical instruction in patient care procedures, radiation physics and protection, principles of imaging, positioning, radiobiology and pathology. In addition to routine diagnostic imaging, education is also provided in mammography, CT, and MRI. Affiliated radiography programs are accredited by the Joint Review Committee for Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
It is highly recommended that students interested in this major meet with the RS adviser for more information about internship sites and admission criteria at least one year prior to anticipated internship application.
For more information about Radiologic Technology, visit these sites:
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