What do you Have to Learn to be an X-Ray Technician?

X-ray technicians are responsible for examining patients with X-rays. In some organizations, X-ray techs are known as radiologists. The main purpose of radiologists is to diagnose diseases, health problems and broken bones with the use of X-ray machines. Then after the problem is found, a physician treats the problem. There is a lot that an X-ray technician will have to learn before entering into the field.

Educational Requirements

When becoming an X-ray tech, you will need to be able to comprehend radiology and the functionality of the human body. Many of the X-ray technician training programs available offer courses that involve physiology, pathology and human anatomy. Through these courses you will receive thorough teachings that will help you understand the details of the human body. Once you fully understand the anatomy, you will begin learning about radiology. Some topics you will go over include the principles of imaging and radiation physics.



As an X-ray technician, you will be required to understand how X-ray machines operate. This will be an important role in your work. On the job, you will be required to communicate with patients and their family about the diagnostic test you have conducted. This means that you will have to explain why you're doing the X-ray and how it works. By giving the detailed break-down, it will ensure that the patient will follow proper procedures while you're conducting the test. It will also help to comfort the patient during the procedure.

It is important that you know exactly how to properly X-ray patients. This includes knowing how to position the patient for the X-ray, machine operations and the commands that are given to the patient during the diagnostic test. Since you will be dealing with radioactive materials during the X-ray test, you will have to follow specific guidelines to protect yourself, co-workers and the patient from exposure to radiation. A lot of training programs out there today offer courses associated with radiation protection.

Since you'll be working directly with your patients, it is important that you learn the proper techniques for patient care. This means that you will need to learn patient response, proper procedures associated with patients, ethics of medical care and communication with patients.

Schools

The most common degree for the radiology field is an associate's degree. This takes two years to obtain, while a bachelor's degree in radiology would take four years. Others who don't want to endure many years in school choose to obtain a certificate in X-ray technician training. This is a shorter course, but covers less material. In many states, you are required to have a license before being able to work in the field.