Radiology School

Doctors and hospitals greatly depend on radiologic test results to help them correctly diagnose and treat their patients. Therefore, most health care employers seek out radiologic technologists who have graduated from rigorous training programs at accredited schools. But with so many radiology schools out there, how do you know which one is right for you?

The process of becoming a radiologist or radiologic technologist begins with education. Radiologists are medical doctors, with all of the education that entails. Technologists generally spend several years in radiology school studying how to operate radiographic machines, administer diagnostic tests and interpret digital images of the body.

Several different radiology programs and degrees are open to those who are interested in becoming a radiologist or radiologic technologist:

• Certificate – Some hospitals offer on-the-job training for existing medical professionals, such as nurses, who want to retrain as radiologic technologists. These certificate-level radiology programs usually last one year.

• Associate's / Bachelor's Degree – Most professional radiologic technologists have received at least a 2-year associate's or 4-year bachelor's degree from one of the many accredited radiology schools across the U.S. These degrees include an overview of basic radiology principles, and the opportunity for specialization in a specific radiology field. A bachelor's degree is generally required for advancement to supervisory positions.

• Master's Degree or MD – A master's degree is not a necessity to get a job as a radiologic technologist. Since radiologists are medical doctors responsible for interpreting diagnostic images, they must complete medical school and the subsequent years of internship and residency.

• Continuing Education – For licensed radiologic technologists, attendance at regular continuing education seminars or courses is required, as it helps technologists  stay current on developments and advancements in their field.

For most people, the last step in the process of becoming a radiology technologist is to be granted certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). All but a few states require certification of radiology technologists. Certification is granted once an applicant has successfully graduated from one of several approved radiology schools, met AART ethics standards and passed a certification exam.

Radiologists must pass a medical licensing exam to practice medicine, just like any other physician. Radiologists are also usually board certified in their field, which means they must pass an exam testing their competence in radiology before they are approved to practice by either the American Board of Radiology (for medical doctors) or the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology (for osteopathic doctors).

To satisfy the certification requirements set by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (AART), technologists must have graduated from an accredited radiology school.

Here is a list of accreditations that are accepted by the AART:

• Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
   
• Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT)
   
• Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in collaboration with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS)
   
• Regional Institutional Accrediting Agencies (such as the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities or Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges)
   
• Conjoint Accreditation Services of the Canadian Medical Association