Become A CT Technologist

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Working As A CT Technologist

Assisting and Caring for Others
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Getting Information
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Deal with People
Unpleasant/Angry People
Unpleasant/Hazardous Environment
Repetitive
$56,670
Average Salary

What Does A CT Technologist Do

A CT Technologist's role involves the use of computerized tomography (CT) scanners to diagnose patients' medical issues. This process consists of producing cross-section images of internal organs and tissues.

How To Become A CT Technologist

Radiologic technologists and MRI technologists typically need an associate’s degree. Many MRI technologists start out as radiologic technologists and specialize later in their career. Radiologic technologists must be licensed or certified in most states. Few states license MRI technologists. Employers typically require or prefer prospective technologists to be certified even if the state does not require it.

Education

An associate’s degree is the most common educational requirement for radiologic and MRI technologists. There also are postsecondary education programs that lead to graduate certificates or bachelor’s degrees. Education programs typically include both classroom study and clinical work. Coursework includes anatomy, pathology, patient care, radiation physics and protection, and image evaluation.

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) accredits programs in radiography. Completing an accredited program is required for licensure in some states.

High school students who are interested in radiologic or MRI technology should take courses that focus on math and science, such as anatomy, biology, chemistry, physiology, and physics.

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

MRI technologists typically have less than 5 years of work experience as radiologic technologists.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Radiologic technologists must be licensed or certified in most states. Few states license MRI technologists. Requirements vary by state.

To become licensed, technologists must usually graduate from an accredited program, and pass a certification exam from the state or obtain a certification from a certifying body. Certifications for radiologic technologists are available from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Certifications for MRI technologists are available from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and from the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT). For specific licensure requirements for radiologic technologists and MRI technologists, contact the state’s health board.

Employers typically require or prefer prospective technologists to be certified even if the state does not require it.

Important Qualities

Detail oriented. Radiologic and MRI technologists must follow exact instructions to get the images needed for diagnoses.

Interpersonal skills. Radiologic and MRI technologists work closely with patients who may be in extreme pain or mentally stressed. Technologists must be able to put the patient at ease to get usable images.

Math skills. Radiologic and MRI technologists may need to calculate and mix the right doses of chemicals used in imaging procedures.

Physical stamina. Radiologic and MRI technologists often work on their feet for long periods during their shift and they must be able to lift and move patients who need assistance.

Technical skills. Radiologic and MRI technologists must understand how to operate complex machinery.

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CT Technologist jobs

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CT Technologist Career Paths

CT Technologist

MRI And CT Technologist MRI Technologist

Chief Technologist

7 Yearsyrs

Radiology Supervisor Radiology Manager

Director Of Radiology

11 Yearsyrs

Radiology Supervisor Director Of Radiology

Imaging Services Director

10 Yearsyrs

Lead CT Technologist

7 Yearsyrs

MRI Technologist

Lead MRI Technologist

8 Yearsyrs

MRI Technologist Staff Technologist Radiologic Technician

Lead Radiologic Technologist

5 Yearsyrs

Staff Technologist Mammography Technician MRI Technologist

MRI Supervisor

8 Yearsyrs

Registered Nurse Patient Care Coordinator Radiologic Technician

MRI, And Radiology Technologist

6 Yearsyrs

Staff Radiologic Technologist Staff Technologist Radiologic Technician

Manager Of Imaging

9 Yearsyrs

Staff Technologist Radiology Supervisor

Radiology Manager

9 Yearsyrs

Lead Technician Technical Supervisor MRI Technologist

Radiology Supervisor

6 Yearsyrs

Multi-Modality Technologist MRI Technologist Staff Technologist

Senior Staff Technologist

6 Yearsyrs

Registered Nurse PRN Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Supervisor Nuclear Medicine

6 Yearsyrs

Average Length of Employment

Cat Scan Technologist 6.9 years
Staff Radiologic Technologist 6.6 years
CT Scan Technologist 5.9 years
MRI Technologist 5.1 years
Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist 5.0 years
CT Technologist 5.0 years
Staff Technologist 4.9 years
Lead CT Technologist 4.8 years
Staff CT Technologist 4.6 years
MRI And CT Technologist 4.1 years
Lead Radiologic Technologist 4.1 years
Computed Tomography Technologist 3.9 years
Radiographer Technologist 3.6 years
Pet/Ct Technologist 3.0 years
Radiologic Technologist Assistant 3.0 years

Top Careers Before CT Technologist

Top Careers After CT Technologist

CT Technologist Demographics

Gender

Female
57.0%
Male
41.2%
Unknown
1.8%

Ethnicity

White
80.5%
Hispanic or Latino
9.9%
Asian
7.4%
Unknown
1.7%
Black or African American
0.6%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
55.4%
Chinese
8.1%
Mandarin
5.4%
Vietnamese
2.7%
German
2.7%
Hindi
2.7%
Serbian
2.7%
Korean
2.7%
Croatian
2.7%
Russian
1.4%
Hebrew
1.4%
Indonesian
1.4%
Portuguese
1.4%
Dutch
1.4%
Cantonese
1.4%
Gujarati
1.4%
Carrier
1.4%
Urdu
1.4%
Arabic
1.4%
Italian
1.4%

CT Technologist

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CT Technologist Education

Schools

Midwestern State University
12.0%
Weber State University
11.2%
University of Phoenix
8.7%
Loma Linda University
5.4%
Ferris State University
4.5%
Adventist University of Health Sciences
4.5%
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
4.5%
Oregon Institute of Technology
4.1%
Fort Hays State University
4.1%
Thomas Edison State University
4.1%
Community College of the Air Force
4.1%
Austin Community College
4.1%
Houston Community College
3.7%
University of South Alabama
3.7%
Emory University
3.7%
El Centro College
3.7%
Grand Canyon University
3.7%
University of Saint Francis
3.3%
Arkansas State University
3.3%
Forsyth Technical Community College
3.3%

Majors

Medical Technician 43.7%
Nuclear And Industrial Radiologic Technologies 15.4%
Military Technology 8.0%
Business 5.3%
Health Care Administration 4.2%
Computer Science 2.8%
Health Sciences And Services 2.3%
Management 2.1%
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology 2.0%
Clinical Psychology 1.9%
Medicine 1.8%
Education 1.7%
Military Applied Sciences 1.6%
General Studies 1.4%
Nursing 1.2%
Biology 1.2%
Public Health 1.0%
Liberal Arts 0.9%
Psychology 0.8%
Computer Information Systems 0.8%

Degrees

Associate
35.9%
Bachelors
23.7%
Other
19.0%
Certificate
12.2%
Masters
7.3%
Diploma
1.2%
Doctorate
0.5%
License
0.1%

CT Technologist

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Real CT Technologist Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Ct-Technologist	Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth	Plymouth, MA	Dec 31, 2014	$76,948
Ct-Technologist	Jordan Hlospital	Plymouth, MA	Jan 01, 2012	$73,045
CT (CAT Scan) Technologist	Thomas Jefferson University Hospital	Philadelphia, PA	Jun 09, 2010	$56,774
Cardio Vascular/Ct Technologist	Cardiovascular Clinic of Texas	Tomball, TX	Jan 03, 2008	$55,000
Cardio Vascular/Ct Technologist	Cardiovascular Clinic of Texas	Tomball, TX	Oct 01, 2007	$50,000
CT Technologist	Saint Luke's Northland Hospital	Kansas City, MO	Oct 22, 2009	$48,356

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Top Skills for A CT Technologist

Top CT Technologist Skills

Special Procedures
IV
Trauma Patients

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Performed CT Scans, special procedures and diagnostic radiography.
Developed and delivered education to community on identifying and preventative measures for stroke.
Experienced patient caregiver with pediatric, geriatric and trauma patients in both clinical and emergent settings.
Communicated exam procedures to patients and answered related questions to provide quality patient care.
Performed all routine exams from head to extremities and trauma 1 exams when needed.