2 answers
Kiarra
Student
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
3
Questions
Asked
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What does the typical Radiology tech life path look like?
Such as starting from the pre reqs to the course itself, and then finding a job and life after the schooling. I'm a junior about to be a senior in highschool (not to mention I am homeschooled) and I have zero clue on what I want to do. What I really want to know is how serious the math is for college. I'd like to be set up for success God willing- so should I take calculus in my senior year of high school for this career? I'm taking pre calculus and I have an A in it but I do not enjoy it, I'd rather take consumers math to be set up for life situations. If I were to take this career path I'd be taking the community college for pre reqs path and then apply for the Kapio'lani community college radiologic program. Thank you for your time and any info helps! Have a great day!
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2 answers
Shelley DeReu RN, BSN, CNMT
18
Answers
Updated
Shelley’s Answer
Hi Kiarra, A career as a radiographer is one that is always in demand, is an avenue to other modalities in medical imaging and per the type of institution you choose to work, can be very flexible.
Your concern about math is unwarranted. Your focus in your program will be physics. Your pre- reqs will focus on the classes you need to fulfill your college degree requirements and the radiographic program will concentrate on the specifics of radiology. These specifics primarily include, medical terminology, radiation exposure and safety, patient positioning, medical/scanner equipment basics.
To prepare now for the rad program, look up on youtube radiology physics and for now, just get used to the terminology so you can recognize and maybe have some idea of what the terms mean. Look up medical terminology and learn the categories of words so you can determine medical jargon when you encounter it. Youtube topics like: how xrays work, working life of radiographer/xray tech, how to take xrays, what are xray artifacts, math needed for radiographers/xray techs, how to position for xrays...to get an idea of what you will be learning.
When you are accepted into the radiology program, you will be prepared enough to step through the program. It is set up for your success but you need to be dedicated to it. If you can get a job in an imaging center before entering the rad program (such as front desk or patient care tech), do it because it will be advantageous to be comfortable in the medical setting and medical imaging environment.
When you enter the radiologic program, treat every day, every encounter as a job interview because the people who are training you, will be your professional references when you graduate. Every clinical day, be well rested, polite, helpful, curious, clothing clean, personally clean, clean up after yourself and do not give an opinion or get involved in the personal/professional lives of the techs who are training you. You are not one of them yet so be the student everyone wants to work with, even look forward to working with. The referrals from those techs and your instructors is how you will get your first job and then be the best tech you can be and you will have a long, interesting career.
For now and when you start college, enjoy making new friends, and having new experiences and then be ready to be a professional when you start your rad program. You will do great, Good Luck!
Your concern about math is unwarranted. Your focus in your program will be physics. Your pre- reqs will focus on the classes you need to fulfill your college degree requirements and the radiographic program will concentrate on the specifics of radiology. These specifics primarily include, medical terminology, radiation exposure and safety, patient positioning, medical/scanner equipment basics.
To prepare now for the rad program, look up on youtube radiology physics and for now, just get used to the terminology so you can recognize and maybe have some idea of what the terms mean. Look up medical terminology and learn the categories of words so you can determine medical jargon when you encounter it. Youtube topics like: how xrays work, working life of radiographer/xray tech, how to take xrays, what are xray artifacts, math needed for radiographers/xray techs, how to position for xrays...to get an idea of what you will be learning.
When you are accepted into the radiology program, you will be prepared enough to step through the program. It is set up for your success but you need to be dedicated to it. If you can get a job in an imaging center before entering the rad program (such as front desk or patient care tech), do it because it will be advantageous to be comfortable in the medical setting and medical imaging environment.
When you enter the radiologic program, treat every day, every encounter as a job interview because the people who are training you, will be your professional references when you graduate. Every clinical day, be well rested, polite, helpful, curious, clothing clean, personally clean, clean up after yourself and do not give an opinion or get involved in the personal/professional lives of the techs who are training you. You are not one of them yet so be the student everyone wants to work with, even look forward to working with. The referrals from those techs and your instructors is how you will get your first job and then be the best tech you can be and you will have a long, interesting career.
For now and when you start college, enjoy making new friends, and having new experiences and then be ready to be a professional when you start your rad program. You will do great, Good Luck!
Thank you, Shelley!
Kiarra
James Hernandez
Account Manager
29
Answers
Heredia, Heredia Province, Costa Rica
Updated
James’s Answer
Starting a career as a radiology tech can be exciting and rewarding. It begins with earning an associate or bachelor's degree from an accredited program, followed by getting certified by the ARRT. This path opens doors to a stable job in hospitals or clinics, where there's a high demand for your skills. As you gain experience, you can specialize in areas like CT, MRI, or mammography. There are also opportunities to move into leadership roles, teach others, or even travel with your job. The work is fast-paced, but it’s a great fit for those who enjoy working with people and staying active.
I appreciate your support, James
Kiarra