Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians typically start their careers earning approximately $24.00 per hour. With experience and advanced skills, professionals in this field can earn up to $43.66 per hour, reflecting their expertise and the critical role they play in medical imaging and diagnostics.
Sector: Healthcare
About the Job:
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians perform diagnostic imaging examinations, such as X-rays, on patients. They are responsible for preparing patients for procedures, operating imaging equipment, and ensuring high-quality diagnostic images are produced for physician interpretation. Their role is critical in the accurate diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
Training & Education Requirements:
- Education: Completion of an accredited Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Radiologic Technology.
- Certification: Graduates must pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam to become licensed practitioners
Where Are the Jobs in Mississippi:
These professionals are employed across various healthcare settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Diagnostic imaging centers
- Outpatient care centers
- Physicians' offices
Major employment hubs include Jackson, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, and Meridian.
Find Your Training Location
The Medical Radiologic Technology program is a two-year technical program designed to prepare graduates for employment as a radiologic technologist or radiographer. This program is located on the Wesson Campus. Radiographers use equipment that emits ionizing radiation to image internal structures of the body. Employment opportunities include various health care facilities such as hospitals, doctors’ offices, medical clinics, imaging centers and sports medicine clinics. The program provides a foundation for obtaining higher level degrees of study or placement into advanced specialty imaging or treatment modalities in the healthcare field. Examples of advanced areas for registered technologists include ultrasound, CT, MRI, cardiovascular-interventional radiography, mammography, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, administration, and education. The radiography curriculum includes technical and academic courses. Classroom and laboratory activities are conducted on Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Wesson Campus and clinical experience is gained at affiliating hospitals. Upon successful completion of the program the student is awarded an Associate in Applied Science degree in Medical Radiologic Technology, is eligible to apply for a state license and write the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) exam.
Radiologic Technology is a two-year (five-semester) program. Graduates will receive an Associate of Applied Science degree and will be eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) exam to become a Registered Radiologic Technologist. The program accepts one class each year beginning in the fall. This program requires prerequisite courses and a minimum ACT score of 18. The prerequisites are located under the Program Admission Information and Procedures document below under the resources tab.
This program consists of 5 consecutive semesters of training and is designed to prepare students for entry-level Radiography. General education and radiography courses are taught on campus with clinical instruction and experience provided in local and out of town affiliated radiology centers. Competency-based instruction is provided so that skills and proficiency are attained.
The Radiologic Technology Program provides a general education and clinical training program that prepares students for a career in radiography. The technical program combines theory through traditional classroom instruction and laboratory experiences on campus, and clinical experiences in affiliated hospitals to provide opportunities for students to develop skills needed to enter the Radiology profession.
Radiographers perform imaging examinations and accompanying responsibilities at the request of physicians qualified to prescribe and/or perform radiologic procedures.
Graduates of this program will be awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Radiologic Technology and are eligible to apply to the American Registry of Radiologic Technology in order to become a Registered Radiographer.
The Pearl River Community College Department of Radiologic Technology is affiliated with Forrest Health Systems, Merit Health- Wesley Medical Center, Hattiesburg Clinic Main / Orthopedics, Memorial Health Systems (Gulfport/ Stone County) Marion General Hospital (Columbia), Highland Community Hospital in (Picayune), and George Regional Health Systems (Lucedale). Each center serves as a clinical practice center where students are provided the opportunity to gain experience and develop skills necessary to qualify for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist Examination.
The Pearl River Community College Department of Radiologic Technology is anticipating offering two diverse pathways for students to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree. Both pathways offer a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree program and both begin in the summer semester of each year. The first semester consists of classroom studies and upon completion of this session, the clinical phase will begin with rotation through each assigned area.
We appreciate your interest in our program. We understand that it can be overwhelming if you are new to the college environment; even if you are currently enrolled or have been here before, it can still be a lot to navigate. We want to make your experience as positive as possible, so if you have any questions after reading through this information, please just contact us.The Radiologic Technology program is an Associate Degree program. There are 26 hours of pre-requisite courses that must be taken prior to being eligible for acceptance into the program. When a student begins the program in the fall, only radiology specific courses and clinical rotations will be completed. This is a full time training program and it is not recommended for those who cannot devote themselves as full time students. Because technologists are on their feet for long periods of time and may lift or turn disabled patients, physical stamina is important (US Dept. of Labor). The program is designed to prepare students for employment in hospitals or clinics as radiographers. Radiographers produce radiographs (x-rays) of bones and body structures as directed by supervising physicians. This program will focus on principles of general radiography in preparation for the ARRT registry exam (a national certifying board examination).
The radiography program will accept 12 new students for each fall semester. Applications may be obtained from the Admission Requirements/Application Packet menu. Hospitals that we utilize as clinical sites are: Magnolia Regional Health Center, Baptist Memorial-Booneville, Baptist Memorial-Union County, Hardin Medical Center, Iuka Hospital (affiliate of North Mississippi Medical Center), Tippah County Hospital, Mitias Orthopaedics (New Albany, MS), Magnolia Orthopaedics (Corinth, MS), Ortho-Express (Corinth/Tupelo), Iuka Medical Clinic, Baptist Memorial Hospital: North Mississippi (Oxford), Baptist Memorial Hospital: Golden Triangle (Columbus).
Radiological Science students can get their pre-requisites at Northwest for a number of area Radiological Sciences programs designed to help students reach their highest potential in technical knowledge and clinical competency in radiologic technology.
Education
Bachelor’s degrees in radiologic science can be earned in four years for high school graduates or 1-2 years for students with an associate degree in the field. Course topics cover principles of radiation oncology, radiation physics and pathology.
Radiologists have a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree with a specialty in radiology. Most medical school programs include four years of academic coursework; after graduation, students wishing to become radiologists apply to a residency program in radiology. Mandatory training for radiology consists of one clinical year after medical school (usually completed first) and four years of radiology residency. Then, about 90% of residents voluntarily go on to a fellowship year of sub-specialty training (4). Certification is by the American Board of Radiology (ABR). Certification is voluntary, but required by most employers. At least 97% of residency graduates now become Board-certified (3). A few years ago, the ABR, following other U.S. specialty boards, moved to 10-year certificates from lifetime certificates. Thus, new radiologists have to be re-certified every 10 years. In a few years, the final certifying examination will change from an examination that covers all of radiology to an examination that concentrates on three subspecialty fields. The trainee will choose the fields. A preliminary examination will continue to cover the whole of radiology.
Formal education and training requirements for physicians are among the most demanding of any occupation—4 years of undergraduate school, 4 years of medical school, and 3 to 8 years of internship and residency, depending on the specialty selected. A few medical schools offer combined undergraduate and medical school programs that last 6 or 7 years rather than the customary 8 years.
The Associate Degree Nursing program provides educational opportunities to qualified students utilizing a curriculum that is designed to prepare graduates who are competent to function as entry-level registered nurses. The program helps to meet the expanding and ever-changing health care needs of the community by providing graduates who are prepared to practice as a professional member of the interdisciplinary health care team providing safe client-centered care with critical thinking, innovation, and adaptability in a variety of health care settings. The curriculum includes a balance of general education, current nursing theory, clinical and laboratory experience.
The field of radiologic sciences is a dynamic profession that is ever-changing in terms of technology and professional expertise. Radiology is one of the fastest-growing, most exciting, and increasingly important fields in medicine today. As an integral part of the health care team, radiologic technologists work to provide outstanding patient care while limiting radiation exposure to patients, themselves, and others.
Radiologic technologists perform medical imaging procedures to help diagnose disease and injury. Technologists perform a variety of challenging and interesting examinations on a heterogeneous patient population. Those procedures include conventional radiography, fluoroscopy, and surgical studies. Although many graduates seek employment as diagnostic radiographers, some go on to specialize in advanced imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, sonography, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, mammography, vascular imaging, and quality management.
A career as a radiologic technologist offers a promising future, job stability, and competitive salaries with other health professionals with similar educational backgrounds. Excellent career opportunities exist in hospitals, diagnostic imaging centers, and private physicians' offices. The Radiologic Sciences degree also provides graduates opportunities for career advancement in administration, medical sales, education, quality management, and public health facilities.
The Department of Radiologic Sciences offers two types of Radiologic Sciences bachelor's degree programs to fit students' career needs.
- The traditional baccalaureate degree program is an opportunity to gain an entry-level radiologic sciences education and clinical experience necessary to become registered as a radiologic technologist.
- The advanced standing baccalaureate degree program offers additional education for those who are registered radiologic technologists.