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My Future
My Future
When deciding what degree I want to pursue, there is really only one I want to do: medical imaging. I have been set on this career since the end of my junior year of high school, and I am 100% certain on this degree. I feel that I fit the job description well, as far as characteristics and skills, and I am interested in the sciences behind radiography.
I believe radiography is the perfect fit for me because it requires someone who is a problem-solver and communicator. I have had a lot of experience and growth in these areas over the last several years in officer positions. I've always been creative, detail-oriented, and a hard worker, so I know I have what it takes. Throughout high school, I was always drawn to medical courses and sciences, and I want to continue this passion throughout my college career.
Career Plan - My Steps for Becoming a Medical Imaging Technologist
Career Plan - My Steps for Becoming a Medical Imaging Technologist
Courses Required & Experience
My first year of college focuses on the rest of my prerequisites needed to apply to the program, including human anatomy, human physiology, and intro to psychology. I will turn in my radiography application by January 1, 2025, and I will find out if I get admitted around March 2025. Upon admission, I need to get CPR certified, have a health screening, and a few more requirements; then I will start clinical and online courses on June 23, 2025. The program expects a full time schedule (8:00a-4:30p), Monday through Friday, with a combination of class, lab, and clinical courses. By the end of just the radiography program, I will have approximately 1,300 hours of clinical experience. A rule of thumb for this program is three hours for every one hour of lecture as well. The schedule throughout this 22-month program is shown below, with the medical imaging program following after.
Year One of X-Ray Program:
Summer 2025
Intro to Radiography (3cr)(online)
Patient Care I (3cr)
Fall 2025
Radiographic Procedures I (lecture & lab, 4cr)
Principles of Radiography I (lecture & lab, 5cr)
Basic Clinical Experience Course (3cr)
Spring 2026
Radiographic Procedures II (lecture & lab, 4cr)
Principles of Radiography II (lecture & lab, 5cr)
Basic Clinical Experience Course (3cr)
Year Two of X-Ray Program:
Summer 2026
Patient Care II Hybrid (1cr)
Clinical Competency Experience (4cr)
Medical Ethics and Law for Imaging Professionals (1cr)(online)
Fall 2026
Radiographic Procedures III (3cr)
Radiographic Pathology (2cr)(online)
Principles of Radiography III (4cr)
Clinical Competency Experience III (4cr)
Spring 2027
Radiation Biology and Protection in Diagnostic Radiology (1cr)(online)
Image Evaluation (3cr)
Clinical Experience Course (4cr)
Intro to Professional Life in Imaging Sciences (4cr)
Clinic Weekly Schedules:
2 days per week | 1st year
4 days per week | summer
3 days per week | 2nd year
2 Saturdays each semester | 1st year (fall & spring only)
1-3 weeks of evenings each semester
Fall Semester of Medical Imaging
Multiplanar Anatomy and Pathology I (3cr)
Medical Imaging Technology Project I (3cr)
X Principles and Procedures I (3cr)
Clinical Practicum I: X (6cr)
Spring Semester of Medical Imaging
Multiplanar Anatomy and Pathology II (3cr)
Medical Imaging Technology Project II (3cr)
X Principles and Procedures II (3cr)
Clinical Practicum II: X (6cr)
*X = modality, as I'm not sure which one I want to go into, but the courses follow the same plan
Program Contacts
Joanna Plew
Health Professions Program
Coordinator of Advising & Admissions
Lisa King
Radiologic & Imaging Sciences Programs
Student Services Coordinator
Confirming My Career
Throughout the first summer of being in a radiography course and experiencing hospital settings through the clinical rotations, I will be able to officially confirm my choice of career in medical imaging. By learning about imaging science and technology, applying skills in a real setting, and performing specialized examinations on patients, I'll be able to see if I have what it will takes to be successful in this career. This job takes responsibility, time commitment and management, and several skills, like critical thinking and communication skills. After doing a summer of the program, I think I will be able to understand what the career holds and if I am fit for the job.
Research on Radiography
Work Settings, Nature, & Skills for Rad Techs
Radiographers work in a variety of settings, like hospitals, labs, outpatient centers, travel, etc.., as well as flexible schedules of day/night, weekday/weekend, and 8/10/12 hour shift variability. This career allows numerous opportunities for higher education in other modalities (CT, MRI, sonography, etc.). Someone in this career needs to have great understanding of human anatomy, radiation safety, and how to communicate with others. With that being said, in order to be successful as a radiologic technologist, required skills and characteristics include the following:
high work ethic
high attention to detail
communication & interpersonal skills
problem-solver/critical thinker
tech savvy
& more!
Placement Outlooks and Employers
As the need for radiologic technologists increases, its job outlook does as well. According to IU School of Medicine, attending their radiography program at IUI allows a projected 100% national certification pass rate, a 100% job placement in Indiana within a year of graduating, and 1,300 hours of clinical experience. Healthcare facilities that have a radiography department in Indianapolis includes, but is surely not limited to the following:
IU Health
Franciscan Health
Ascension
Vivian Health
TLNT & Spin Hire
Eskenazi Health
Information from IU School of Medicine: Radiography Program
Salary & Benefits
As of November 2024, the average annual salary for Indiana radiographers was ~$65k, with the range being from $54k-$79k. Graduates from the IU Indianapolis radiography program reported to have a starting salary of $59k. A radiologic technologist program can also be completed in a short amount of time compared to other careers, excluding the advancement of completing a medical imaging technology degree afterwards. Completing at least one more certification, such as BD or CT, higher pay is almost always guaranteed. Along with a high annual salary, radiographers and medical imaging techs typically benefit from health and dental insurance, paid vacation and sick time, and retirement plans! As mentioned above, a radiographer's weekly schedule is highly flexible to fit in to one's personal life, as well as high job security with an increasing need of techs.
Education & Training
To become a Registered Radiologic Technologist R.T. (R), or an x-ray tech, students must complete the radiography program by an accredited institution, like IU School of Medicine. During the program, students can expect to enroll in courses covering anatomy, patient care, radiologic physics and safety, medical ethics, and image evaluation courses, learning and gaining the respective skills. Even before starting the program, students are required to become CPR certified. The radiographic program at IU Indianapolis requires students to attend an 8 hour clinical at several hospitals near or in Indy at least twice a week over the course of the 22-month program. After completing a two year radiographic program, graduates must obtain their license by taking a board certification exam, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Upon passing, graduates are officially licensed and registered as a radiologic technologist R.T. (R)!
Advancement Opportunities
After being registered, a rad tech is able to go into a variety of modalities, something that I am interested in pursuing. This can be completing a bachelor's degree in Medical Imaging Technology BS or by cross training in a current hospital, both requiring students to pass a board exam for the particular study to become registered. At IU Indianapolis, students have the option to apply to the medical imaging program after completion of radiography with many options to choose for advancement. The program is 10-16 months with modalities including the following:
Bone densitometry (BD)
Cardiac or vascular interventional radiography (CI/VI)
Computed tomography (CT)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Mammography (M)
Echocardiography (RDCS)
Vascular sonography (RVT)
Diagnostic medical sonography (RDMS)
Sources: Northwestern College: Benefits & Allied Health: Education & Certification
Pros
Pros
competitive pay
flexible schedule
continuous advancement opportunities
job security
financial benefits (insurance & more)
job satisfaction
choice of job setting
Cons
Cons
physical challenges (long duration of standing, walking, etc.)
on-call hours may be required
program is difficult
potential radiation exposure
high stress levels depending on job location
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