What is a Mammography Technician?

To be a technician, you have to know your stuff. Some may refer to you as an expert in your field or maybe people will know you as skilled in an art or craft. Then again, you may just be needed to look after technical equipment.

Your workload as a technician will vary, depending on what you're trained in. You may be needed to set up a new computer system or maybe you'll need to fix an electricity problem. Either way, you'll probably only need to work 40 hours a week.

The degree of education required for this job depends on what you're specific skillset is. Some technicians only need a high school diploma, others may want to complete an associate's program or earn a certificate to help their employment opportunities. There's definitely something for everyone in the field of technicians.

As a Radiologic Technician, you will test and treat patients using radiology machines, working closely with radiologists. You will perform radiology procedures, monitor the safety of equipment, and detect and resolve malfunctions that may occur.

Of course, since you are dealing with lives here, you should always be careful. You need to possess technical skills and other special skills or traits in order for you to do your job well. For example, you need to be detail-oriented, have great interpersonal skills, and have good math skills.

You can earn an annual average salary of $47,629 as a Radiologic Technician. With a job growth rate of 9%, you know well that this is a good profession. You also have the chance to further your career after some time. You can be a Laboratory Technician, a Technician, a Registered Nurse, or a Registered Nurse Supervisor, depending on the career path you plan to take.

An x-ray technician is a professional who works in the hospital to perform imaging tests on patients by request from medical personnel for diagnostic purposes. They operate x-ray equipment to get images of different areas of the body. They adjust x-ray machines as needed to ensure clear and accurate imaging. They also evaluate, interpret and report x-ray imaging results, make treatment recommendations based on x-ray results and ensure the patient is comfortable and protected from radiation.

Some skills associated with an x-ray technician include; analytical skills to be able to interpret results and strong communication skills, both verbal and written. They also require organizational, time management, and mechanical skills. They should be willing to spend long periods of time on their feet, perform heavy lifting equipment, and be frequently exposed to radiation. They might also work long hours, with evenings and weekends sometimes required.

A minimum of an associate's degree is required and, in most cases, a bachelor's degree. They earn an average salary of $57,450 per year. Some certifications for this job might include; The American Registry of Radiologist's Technicians, Registered Radiology Assistant, Radiologic Technologists Mammography Certification, and Therapeutic Radiologic Technology Certification.