Welcome to Become an X-Ray Technician.com, where we will show you the steps to earn a degree from an accredited X-ray tech school. No matter what your final career goals or your location, the online colleges listed here will help you get your degree and X-ray technician's license in your state. Below are links to schools with related programs that can help you start your x-ray technician career.
![]() BS in Health Services Mgmt |
DeVry University — DeVry offers a bachelor's degree in health services management that prepares students to enter clinical radiology or X-ray programs upon graduation. DeVry has a reputation of working with the top healthcare industry leaders to build curricula that is geared toward students' success in the real world.
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![]() AAS in Medical Assisting |
Kaplan University — The AAS in medical assisting program provided by Kaplan University provides an entry-level education that concentrates on helping students acquire knowledge and develop skills in performing laboratory, clinical, and medical office procedures. In addition to the online A.S. or B.S. program in Health Information Technology, you complete an unpaid clinical instruction experience and an unpaid externship in an ambulatory setting to complete your course of study as an x-ray technician.
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![]() AS in Medical Assisting |
Keiser University — Keiser University's online AS degree in Medical Assisting prepares students with the x-ray training prerequisites needed to perform medical assisting duties under direction of a physician/practitioner. Medical assistants also learn to function in an administrative capacity, providing the skills you need to advance in your career as an x-ray technician.
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![]() AS in Allied Health |
South University — This Associate of Science in Allied Health Science degree program online exposes you to a broad education in general studies combined with an emphasis on life sciences. This program offers a fast and flexible solution for students who want to get their x-ray technician prerequisites, or to continue to earn an MBA in Healthcare Administration.
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![]() AOS in Radiography BS in Radiologic Science |
Pima Medical Institute — The AOS in Radiography program trains students in anatomy and physiology, methods of patient care, medical terminology, radiographic techniques and communication via online. The Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences is geared toward radiology and X-ray technicans seeking a bachelor degree completion program. The program prepares graduates for employment responsibilities where knowledge and skills beyond those typically attained at the associate degree level.
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![]() BS in Health Services Admin |
Baker College — Baker's bachelor's degree program in health services administration is well suited for those looking for a more managerial role in their healthcare career. This program goes above and beyond the training required of a typical x-ray technician.
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![]() BS in Radiologic Science |
Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences — The BS degree in radiological sciences from Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences is centered on the busy professional with easily accessible online courses. The course is split into sixty semester credit hours including radiological sciences and general education courses. For ease of completion, the program is split into seven 15-week semesters.
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![]() BS in Health Informatics |
Walden University — Walden University's BS in health studies with a specialization in health informatics helps students understand how to use information and data analysis technology in a variety of healthcare settings, including X-ray technology. Students learn to promote patient safety, information security, and maintain high data quality through the use of information technology. Courses include instruction on ethics and law, healthcare policy, epidemiology and healthcare delivery.
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Looking for an X-Ray Tech Degree?
Fill out this short form below, and we'll help match you to an accredited college program that suits your interests, whether online- or campus-based.
What is an x-ray technician?
X-ray technicians are often referred to as radiologic technologists or radiographer. There are many programs both online and at conventional colleges or trade schools to train to become an x-ray technician. X-ray technicians handle all types of x-rays. The majority of x-ray technicians work in a hospital setting, but they can also work at clinics or in private practices.
How do you become an x-ray technician?
Training to become an x-ray technician can be achieved in a few different ways. One of the most popular methods of training to become an x-ray technician is to a 2 year program that gives you an associates degree. There are also bachelor programs in radiology. There are also certification programs that last anywhere from a year to 18 months.
All of these degrees and certifications prepare you to work as an x-ray technician to some extent, but in different capacities. Someone with an associates degree may work taking x-rays, while someone with a bachelors degree will supervise this person or an entire department within a hospital. Those who have a certification will work delivering and documenting x-rays with limited experiences taking x-rays from patients. This all depends on the demand for x-ray technicians in your area. Some facilities will have promote someone with an associates degree to a supervising position if the person has the experience to handle responsibilities.
What are the different x-ray technician degrees?
Becoming an X-ray Technician usually requires students to obtain a background in healthcare — usually through an associate or bachelor degree — and then seek further certification with the specific equipment they will be using. Very few schools offer programs specific to x-ray tech or radiology, but other major can be used to start a career in this field:
- Health Information Technology Associate Programs
- Health Information Technology Bachelor Programs
- Healthcare Associate Programs
- Healthcare Bachelor Programs
- Medical Assisting Associate Programs
- Radiology Associate Programs
- Radiology Bachelor Programs
What kind of classes are common in an x-ray technician education?
Studying to become an x-ray technician you can expect to learn about pathology, patient procedures, how to protect patients from radiation and how to accurately take an image. There are many techniques learned to take an accurate image from a child, adult or elderly person. This is tweaked and modified from patient to patient, so it’s integral the x-ray technician understand how and when to adjust the x-ray machine or patient in order to get the best imaging results. Anatomy and physiology are also involved in an x-ray technicians curriculum.
You should research accredited radiography schools when seeking out a school. This is important so you’re able to begin working after receiving your license from the state. Licensing requirements vary from state to state, and working with an accredited school ensures you have all of the proper paperwork to begin working upon receiving your degree or certificate. You will also have to receive certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. This is optional, but it will work to your advantage when interviewing for x-ray technician positions. Some hospitals, clinics and doctors will only consider those with a ARRT certification for filling positions. This is especially the case in large cities.
X-ray technicians should be comfortable working in a team and in a hospital environment. An x-ray technician should be patient, helpful and able to explain the procedure to patients while helping the person feel at ease. X-ray technicians can go on to study MRIs or CT scans and make more money working in a similar environment. Training to specialize in MRIs or CT scans can be completed within a year of receiving a degree in radiography. Many x-ray technicians work at a range of places throughout the course of their career.
What is the job outlook for x-ray technicians?
X-ray technicians look to experience a 17% increase through 2018. This will be concentrated in mid-large cities where hospitals service a big population. Specialized x-ray technician such as those trained for MRIs or CT scans will experience the most job opportunities in the coming decade. Some regions are packed with x-ray technicians and may not see as much growth as other areas. X-ray technicians as a whole should be willing to move for job opportunities, as saturated areas will not have positions open. The population aging is the primary reason x-ray technicians are high in demand. As people age, they are more likely in need of visiting a medical facility and have x-rays taken to diagnose various problems. X-ray technicians can expect to regularly work with the elderly when working at a clinic or hospital.
About 61% of x-ray technicians work in a hospital. Many job openings are also available through diagnostic or imagine centers that have become popular in recent years. The average salary for a x-ray technician is $55,000 per year. This number can go up or down depending on the market you’re working in. Those working in a major hospital in a large city will average about $65,000 per year, while an x-ray tech working in a rural town in a clinic may garner about $38,000 per year. Radiography offers ample room for career and salary growth, but you may have to move regions to take advantage of this industry trend.
Looking for an X-Ray Tech Degree?
Fill out this short form below, and we'll help match you to an accredited college program that suits your interests, whether online- or campus-based.
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