A radiologist interpreting digital images.
Medical radiography refers to the production of medical images with the use of X-radiation. The X-ray images that are produced can either use digital or film media. The images are required for complex investigations in health facilities. Radiologists are trained to interpret the images that are used to help in making a diagnosis.
Program Design
There are various institutions that offer medical radiography training. The programs are designed to combine the academic environment with a clinical setting. They are offered continuously for a period of 24 months, and the terms alternate between clinical practicum and didactic studies. The medical radiography programs are designed to allow students to learn, comprehend and apply the results in real-life situations. The schools also offer feedback and mentoring to the students once they have completed the programs. The courses include Relational Anatomy and Physiology, Radiographic Procedures, Medical Radiography, and Capstone and Clinical Education among many others.
Program Requirements
When you decide to get medical radiography training, there are various requirements. First, you should be a high school graduate. Some of the subjects that you should have taken in high school include Biology, Physics and English. You also need Pre-Calculus or Principles of Math. An applicant is also expected to be a CPR health provider and have about 40 volunteer hours in an environment that deals with patients.
Fees
The tuition fees vary from one institution to another. There are some supplies and books that are required for this course, and you have to consult the school you are enrolling in to get all the details. CPR recertification fees are also charged on an annual basis for students who enroll for these programs.
Training Program Objectives
Medical radiography programs provide a healthy environment that encourages learning and promotes skills that are integral to success in this industry; these skills include respect and care for patients as well as analytical and critical thinking. The training programs aim at providing a strong foundation for a lifetime of personal and professional growth. The program also ensures that the graduates are adequately prepared for the state and national licensure examinations.
Job Opportunities
There is a great demand for medical radiographers, and employment is expected to grow faster than average according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median annual income as of 2008 was $52,210. This is primarily because the current health system is going through a transition due to the new technologies that are being introduced.
When you decide to enroll for medical radiography training, you should be prepared for careers that require you to keep learning. Once you have graduated, you may choose to become a specialist in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). As a graduate, it is also possible for you to go into management positions, research, equipment sales, and even educational roles in various institutions.
Tags: medical radiography, radiography training, environment that, high school, images that, medical radiography training
