What You Need To Know:
With an uncertain economy, making a good decision for college training must assure you that you will get a job after you finish. You also need to know what the salary will be when you finish and what course work you will be taking and for how long. At the end of this article you will also find a list that offer the training for the Magnetic Resonance Technician (also know as the Radiologic Technologist)in the state of Florida.
The Nature Of The Work:
A radiologic technologist must prepare patients and operating equipment. They will make sure necessary jewelry has been removed and positioning patients so that parts of the body will be appropriately imaged. While the radiologic technician takes his/her images with common xrays, the radiologic technician can specialize in magnetic resonance imaging, (MRI technician) which utilizes large magnets to take images of the body. The radiologic technologist may also specialize in CT scanning which uses the same principle as xrays, but takes images cross sectionally like an MRI.
Work Environment
Physical stamina will be needed with this job as you will be standing for long periods of time on cement. You may also have to lift and turn certain disabled patients. Most radiologic technologists work in hospitals in a specialized room for the procedures, however, some may go to patients bedsides for some procedures.
Education And Training
Formal training in radiography leads to a certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree. An associate degree is most prevalent. The certificate program typically lasts 21-24 months. In 2009 the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology accredits 213 programs in the US for certificate, 397 programs resulting in an associate degree, and 35 resulting in a bachelor’s degree. The programs have both classroom and clinical instruction in anatomy and physiology, patient care procedures, radiation physics, radiation protection, principles of imaging, medical terminology, positioning of patients, medical ethics, radiobiology, and pathology. Students interested in the program in high school should focus on courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology.
Pay/Earnings of an MRI Tech
The median annual wage in May 2008 was $52,210 with the middle 50 percent earning between $42,710 and $63,010. The lowest 10 percent earning less than $35,100, and the highest 10 percent earning more than $74,970.
I Am Not Sure I Want To Pursue This Yet
Perhaps you don’t want to invest the time or money into schooling right now. If you want to enter a health field you may consider the Florida Dental Hygienist program which allows for a very flexible schedule when you finish. If you need to start working quickly, perhaps you want to consider the highly needed postion of Florida CNA, also known as Florida Certified Nursing Assistant. The training takes only a few weeks and sometimes is FREE. The jobs are in abundance.
Florida Accredited Radiography Schools
South Florida Community College – Avon Park
West Boca Medical Center – Boca Raton
Bethesda Memorial Hospital – Boynton
State College of Florida – Bradenton
Brevard Community College – Cocoa
Halifax Health Medical Center – Daytona Beach
Keiser University – Daytona Beach
Institute of Allied Medical Professions – Delray Beach
Indian River State College – Fort Pierce
Keiser University – Ft. Lauderdale
Medvance Institute – Ft. Lauderdale
Edison State College – Ft. Myers
Santa Fe College – Gainesville
Mayo Clinic – Jacksonville
Shands – Jacksonville
St. Vincent’s Medical Center – Jacksonville
Keiser University – Lakeland
Lakeland Regional Medical Center – Lakeland
Keiser University – Melbourne
Dade Medical College – Miami
Medvance Institute – Miami
Miami Dade College – Miami
Professional Training Centers – Miami
University of Miami – Miami
Marion County School of Radiologic Technology – Ocala
Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences – Orlando
University of Central Florida – Orlando
Valencia Community College – Orlando
Palm Beach Community College – Palm Beach Gardens
Medvance Institute – Palm Springs
Gulf Coast Community College – Panama City
Pensacola Junior College – Pensacola
Keiser University – Sarasota
St. Petersburg College – St. Petersburg
Everest University – Tampa
Hillsborough Community College – Tampa
Polk State College – Winter Haven