Duties of a Radiology Technician

• In some cases, a radiology technician must inject the patient with a contrast agent.Needle & Syringe image by funkatronik from Fotolia.com
  
  Radiology technicians "take a picture" of the patient with medical imaging devices. While most radiology technicians can perform x-rays, many also perform Computerized Tomography, Magnetic Resonance, Positron Emission Tomography, or other types of imaging. Generally, each medical imaging procedure requires its own certification and license. With some procedures, the radiology technician may be required to inject the patient with an IV or perform other duties.
  
  

Education Requirements

• While some technologists have a bachelor's degree, many begin with an associate's degree or a one-year certification. Some radiology technicians may only perform one procedure while others are licensed for several. Those who begin their careers with basic certification often expand their certification with continuing education.
  
  

Working as a Radiology Technician

• As of 2010, the average radiology technician salary in the United States is $54,981. About half of radiology technicians are employed by hospitals while the remainder work at private clinics, specialized centers, or independent laboratories.
  
  Find out more about the demand for radiology technicians in your area by speaking with admissions advisors at a community college.