Individuals interested in joining the healthcare industry and considering radiology will be happy to hear there are several good jobs available with a Bachelor's in Radiology. Radiology is a field that is continually growing and one that offers several career options. Radiology careers can be had with an associate degree, but individuals with a Bachelor's in Radiology typically have better career options and generally earn higher wages. Here are some jobs that Bachelor's in Radiology graduates might find.
Resource: 10 Most Affordable Online Radiology Degree Programs (Bachelor's)
Radiologic Technologist
Radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, work in hospitals and healthcare facilities. They perform x-rays and other diagnostic imaging tests on patients to identify injuries or assist in treating patients with illnesses. Other duties include documenting patient records, positioning the patient for the exam, maintaining and adjusting diagnostic equipment, and answering patient's questions regarding the test. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a job growth of 12 percent for these workers from 2016-2026. Radiologic technologists earned an average annual wage of $60,320 as of a May 2017 BLS wage report.
Radiology Administrator
Radiologic administrator or director is another job available with a Bachelor's in Radiology. Radiology administrators direct, plan, and coordinate administrative duties for the imaging departments where they work, which might be medical centers, clinics, hospitals and imaging centers. Their duties include overseeing technologists, ensuring digital images and films are in accordance with laws, providing training programs for students, advising staff on departmental changes, conducting studies, implementing changes, project management, and overseeing the business side of radiology. Radiology directors can earn wages ranging from $91,000 to more than $101,000. The BLS predicts a job growth of 20 percent for these workers.
Pediatric Radiographer
A pediatric radiographer is a radiographer who is certified to do radiologic examinations on children. They have many of the same duties as a radiologic technologist but focus their work on children, infant, and adolescent patients in need of diagnostic imaging exams. Like most radiographers, pediatric radiographers can specialize in various areas of radiology, such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, sonography, nuclear medicine, and general radiography. Pediatric radiographers earned an average annual wage of $60,320 as of May 2017.
Cardiovascular Technologist
A cardiovascular technologist is a radiologic technologist who specializes in imaging and exams involving the heart and lungs. Cardiovascular technologists may also be referred to as cardiographic technicians, electrocardiogram technicians or technologists, cardiovascular invasive specialists, or pulmonary function technologists. The job duties of a cardiovascular technologist include assisting with cardiac catheterization, monitoring the patient's heart rate, checking blood pressure before and during surgery, and preparing the patient for open-heart surgery or pacemaker insertion. The BLS predicts a job growth of 17 percent for cardiovascular technologists and reports there are about 55,000 employed in the U.S. as of 2016.
MRI Technician or Technologist
An MRI technologist is a trained professional who works in a radiology department of a hospital but specializes in a procedure called magnetic resonance imaging. This procedure is used to create a high-definition, 3-D image of the interior tissues and organs. It's often used when a physician suspects a problem that does not show up on a regular x-ray. To work as an MRI technology, the individual should complete a few years of training, obtain certification, and have a good knowledge of magnetic resonance imaging technology. The individual must also have the capacity to work with patients in a compassionate manner. There were 36,600 MRI technologists employed in the U.S. in 2016, and they have a projected job growth of 14 percent.
According to a wage survey by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, radiology specialists with bachelor's degrees earn substantially higher wages than those with associate degrees. In addition to earning higher wages and having access to more jobs, those with a Bachelor's in Radiology are one step closer to earning a graduate degree and becoming a radiologist.