How Do I Choose the Best X-Ray Tech Online Classes?

The best x-ray tech online classes will give you a high quality education from an accredited educational facility, include a hands-on interactive element, allowing you to practice skills, and meet your budget and schedule requirements. Many colleges, vocational schools, and universities offer x-ray tech online classes, usually listed under the radiology department. These classes usually lead to a degree or certification in radiology.

Before you begin looking for x-ray tech online classes, you need to determine your schedule requirements and budget limitations. Even online classes have deadlines and class meetings which require that you complete assignments at predetermined times. In order to find out how much time you can devote to x-ray tech online classes, make a daily schedule of Monday through Sunday from seven in the morning until ten o'clock at night.

Block out all the time that you spend working, taking care of yourself or family, eating, and performing any other unavoidable tasks. The time left is what you can potentially use to complete a class, which usually requires the number of credit hours times three. Therefore if a class is three credit hours, you can expect to spend nine hours a week studying and completing assignments.

Next, decide how much money you can afford to spend on tuition, fees, and books per semester. Don't forget that many educational facilities require payment in full at the beginning of the semester. In any case, contact the financial aid office of the schools which you might attend, and speak to a counselor about your eligibility for student loans, grants, and scholarships. There are many types of student funding, and it is worth your time to look into the possibilities.

After you have determined your schedule and your budget, begin searching for schools which offer programs and classes in radiology. Most education facilities do not use the term "x-ray tech" in course listings. The school you choose should be accredited by a nationally recognized professional organization, such as the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) in the US. It is important to choose an accredited school because many employers, institutions of higher education, and regional government licensing bureaus do not recognize coursework from unaccredited programs, which would render your education useless.

Once you have determined that an educational facility is accredited, find the course catalogue and view the course descriptions. Look for courses which not only cover basic topics through book work but also courses which have a lab or hands-on component. In some cases, the lab work and the coursework are listed as separate classes, but there should always be some type of opportunity given to practice radiology skills. Find out if the school has its own equipment or if it partners with a hospital or clinic for the lab component.

Look for courses on a variety of topics. Basic radiology terminology and skills application should be a major part of the coursework. You should also look for courses which delve into safety and health, ethical practices, and compliance with laws and standards.

If possible, contact the instructor for the course and request a syllabus. Typically, instructors are happy to share syllabi with prospective students. While you're talking to the instructor, ask him or her about his course and what is expected from the students. You can often get a feel for the instructor's educational methods, attitude towards students, and expectations through a short conversation. If an instructor seems to be rude or unhelpful, choose a different course.

How Do I Choose Between Being a Radiologist, X-Ray Technician and X-Ray Technologist?

Radiologist physicians, X-ray technologists and X-ray technicians are all careers involved in the radiology — or imaging — field of medicine. Despite these careers' common subject matter and shared work environment, the length and degree of required educational preparation for these positions can vary enormously. To qualify for certification as a radiology technician or a radiology technologist, the minimum amount of education generally required is an associate's degree, usually obtained through a community college or a vocational training facility. A radiologist, on the other hand, is a medical doctor who has completed a bachelor's degree, medical school and a three to four-year long residency study. Thus, a student must take many factors into consideration when choosing whether to become a radiologist, an X-ray technologist or an X-ray technician, including grades, the ability to be admitted to necessary degree programs, financial resources or the availability of financial aid, and the time he is willing to invest in obtaining one or more degrees. 


There are some experienced X-ray technicians and technologists without degrees who have received certification and are qualified to practice under state or national "grandfather clauses," which means they do not need to complete current degree requirements as they were already practicing in the field. New students, however, overwhelmingly begin their careers after completing a field-appropriate associate's degree and a certification examination sponsored by the national organization overseeing their specific practice. In the US, all states require licensure or certification based upon organizational or state-sponsored examinations. Radiology technicians are the most basic of the three radiology careers and require the least education, training and specialization. These healthcare workers position patients, protect themselves and patients against undue exposure to radiation and operate X-ray machines to obtain the clearest image possible.

X-ray technologists obtain associate's or bachelor's degrees in their field before beginning their careers. Like technicians, X-ray technologists position patients and operate imaging equipment per a written order of a radiologist. Technologists, however, have more training than technicians and have experience with — if not specialization and additional certification in — a much wider variety of imaging equipment. An X-ray technologist not only operates general X-ray machines, but also works with computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fluoroscopy, mammography and other types of specialized equipment. Technologists are eligible for certification by examination by the US national accreditation board, The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists®.

Of these three options, becoming a radiologist requires the greatest investment of time, money and effort. A radiologist is physician who has completed a bachelor's degree, medical school, and a residency program in radiology. These specialized and board-certified physicians are a well-paid group and enormous growth is expected in this field. In the US, radiologists must be licensed and board-certified by examinations specific to the state in which they practice.

What Does a CT Scan Technician Do?

A computed tomography (CT) scan technician works directly with patients to explain and orient their bodies for a radiology imaging test. CT scans generate a specialized X-ray of bones and tissue through cross-sectional images; these images help doctors understand patient ailments and the best course of treatment. This technician position usually requires long hours of positioning multiple patients on a testing bed while standing and running the scan machine.

A CT scan technician differs from a technologist since the technician normally has an associate's degree obtained from a trade school or community college. In contrast, a technologist must have a bachelor's degree that stresses both practical machine usage and managerial processes, such as supervising a laboratory setting. Technicians do not normally make any management decisions since they are constantly busy with patient care.

One main duty of the CT scan technician is explaining the imaging procedure to incoming patients. Some patients may be wary of X-ray machines and their affect on the human body. The technician should explain the purpose of the test and cover any questions or concerns that the patient may have before any imaging processes begin. As a result, the patient will be more comfortable orienting his or her body on the test bed for the best CT image.

Another key duty for the CT scan technician is helping the patient move into the needed scan position. The required body part must be directly under the scanning mechanism, as well as at the correct angle, for the best image resolution. Technicians help the patient find a comfortable position so that he or she can remain perfectly still during the scanning process.

The CT scan technician is the main operator of the CT machine. After positioning the patient, the technician must run the machine in an efficient manner to prevent physical strain to the person lying still. A machine that is not fully prepared before the patient is positioned can make the scanning process long and arduous; poorly prepared technicians can cause unhappy patient visits that may reflect negatively on the medical group as a whole.

CT scanning machines are large, expensive medical devices; the CT scan technician must be fully trained to operate and adjust the tool as needed during the work day. In fact, the technician should be able to apply simple troubleshooting techniques to the machine if it malfunctions during a patient visit. The ability to quickly ascertain an improperly turned knob or switch will help technicians have a long and successful career.

How Do I Become an X-Ray Machine Operator?

To become an x-ray machine operator, also known as a radiologic technician or entry-level radiology worker, an individual must complete a minimum of a certificate program in radiology, take a licensure examination if required by her jurisdiction and apply for open x-ray machine operator positions. A student may do this in 21 months to four years, depending on how specialized she wants to be. Individuals who start out as basic or limited operators may advance in the radiology field with more experience, training and education.
When a person wants to become an x-ray machine operator, the first task is to prepare for the position in high school. Courses that are applicable to radiologic technician work include physics, math, chemistry, biology and math. If offered, a person also should take courses such as health or health professions, as well as computers and communications.


Once a person has a high school diploma or graduate equivalency degree (GED), she must investigate radiology programs, which are available from some hospitals, as well as vocational and technical colleges, traditional colleges and universities. The absolute minimum amount of training yields a certificate, with certificate programs lasting 21 to 24 months. Individuals may choose to get an associate's degree, which is the most prevalent educational level for radiologic technicians. This makes sense for students because the amount of time can can be identical to a certificate program and because an associate's degree makes it easier to go back to earn a higher degree. If a person wants to be more competitive or become more specialized in radiology, she can earn a bachelor's degree.
When looking at radiology programs to become an x-ray machine operator, a student should check that the program is accredited. Accredited means that a larger agency or organization has reviewed the program and endorses it based on the fact the program meets specific industry requirements and standards. In the United States, the major accrediting agency for radiology programs is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Application to any accredited radiology program requires submission of high school transcripts, letters of recommendation preferably from those in radiology, a formal application form and an entrance or processing fee.

Once accepted into a radiology program, someone who wants to become an x-ray machine operator takes core or foundational courses such as anatomy and physiology. Radiology-specific classes such as radiation physics, patient positioning, radiobiology, principles of imaging and radiation protection also are within curricula. Additional study includes pathology, medical terminology and medical ethics. Although some coursework is available online, virtually all programs require students to complete clinical, hands-on study so students get practice physically doing x-ray-related tasks.
Following completion of a basic radiology program, a person who wants to become an x-ray machine operator must take a competency test for licensure if required by their jurisdiction. Testing and licensure ensures that the student understands not only the technical principals of x-ray machine operation, but also the applications of x-rays in the medical environment and what is necessary to keep both technicians and patients safe during x-ray procedures. If a person receives additional education, work experience and training, she may advance to higher level radiology positions, such as technologist or radiologist assistant.

What Does an X-Ray Technician Do?

An x-ray technician — more accurately known as a radiologic technician — is a trained health care worker, with specific skills in the area of manipulating x-ray and other medical imaging equipment to take "insider" pictures of the body so that diseases, conditions, or injury can be visualized and diagnosed. In this growing field, most x-ray techs train for a year or two prior to working in a variety of locations. Jobs in this field may take place in hospitals, doctor's offices, radiology clinics, dental offices, and convalescent homes. The field is not without risk, since long-term exposure to frequent x-rays is correlated to the development of certain cancers. Following safety protocols like blocking vulnerable body parts from radiation with lead sheets or walls while x-rays are taken minimizes this risk.



Training in this field most often occurs at trade schools. Most people at minimum learn how to operate fixed and portable x-ray equipment, how to develop pictures, and how to position people so the best pictures can be taken. Some people go on to learn other aspects of the radiology profession and may be able to do sonograms, magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), and computerized axial tomography scans (CAT scans or CT scans). The field requires ability to work well with people, who may sometimes be uncooperative or unable through illness or injury, to stand, sit, or lie down in certain positions. The x-ray technician must exude a calm and helpful demeanor, especially to those who are worried and in pain.

The one thing an x-ray technician cannot do under virtually all circumstances is to discuss findings of an x-ray with a patient. This is the work of a radiologist, doctor, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner. A skilled x-ray technician may be able to spot potential problems on x-ray images, but his or her role is not to interpret and discuss results with patients. Patients receiving x-rays should respect these health professionals by not asking them about results or treatment. Instead, ask the x-ray technician when a radiologist or doctor will read the films, and when they can expect to hear from a radiologist or doctor about the results.

Usually an x-ray technician is trained to spot problems that require emergency treatment and will notify a radiologist immediately if a serious problem exists. If the x-ray doesn't reveal immediate issues, a patient might wait several days before receiving results. X-rays that show problems become the first priority of the radiology lab or the x-ray technician.

Workers in this field can expect a variety of different working circumstances, sometimes must work under pressure, and sometimes endure stressful situations when people are seriously ill or in pain. It can help to not only train in your field but also to understand the goal of your job, to create pictures of problems, so that doctors or dentists can solve them. Though solving a problem is not always feasible, the x-ray technician plays a vital role in the diagnostic aspect of health care.

It is important to note that while the term x-ray tech is used to refer to an x-ray technician, it is also used to refer to an x-ray technologist. X-ray technologists generally have more education and training than an x-ray technician and may have supervisory responsibilities as well. Some people also refer to a person who fixes x-ray machines as an x-ray technician or an x-ray tech, but the correct title is an "x-ray repair technician".