The terms x-ray technician and x-ray technologist are usually mistaken as having the same definition. But it is not. X-ray technicians and X-ray technologist are actually layman`s terms. In the field of radiology, the proper term of labeling should be Radiologic technician and Radiologic technologist.
For anyone who is interested to have a career as an x-ray technician, there are universities who offer associate degrees both in their respective campuses and even through online. Associate degrees usually take about two years to complete. X-ray technicians should have an Associate Degree but for those who are interested to be an x-ray technologist, a Bachelor`s Degree is required. It is important though to choose very carefully on what school a person plans to enroll with. It is very necessary to check if the school is properly accredited. After earning the necessary degrees, most states require licensed x-ray technicians and x-ray technologists.
It should be noted that the tasks of an x-ray technician is much different from that of an x-ray technologist. Radiologic technicians have the necessary skills to correctly operate the equipment needed to take x-ray pictures. They are also responsible for the proper positioning of the patient to get the most accurate result of the x-ray test.
But one thing that x-ray technicians are not licensed to do, is to interpret the x-ray results to the patients. This job falls in the hands of the radiologist. Overall, being a Radiologic Technician has its limits.
An x-ray technologist career also does the same tasks as that a career in x-ray technician. But the biggest difference is that radiologic technologists have Bachelor`s degree. Thus, they are most likely to be hired for supervision jobs.
There is a high demand for x-ray technicians and x-ray technologists. The annual salaries of x-ray technicians are about less than $50,000. But for x-ray technologists their annual salaries are about less than $60,000. But in 2007, x-ray technologists in Massachusetts had annual salaries around $63,910.