Industry Sector and Pathway

Sector Description

The standards in this sector represent the academic and technical skills and knowledge students need to pursue a full range of career opportunities in health science

and medical technology, from entry level to management as well as technical and

professional career specialties. The standards describe what workers need to know

and be able to do to contribute to the delivery of safe and effective health care.

The six career pathways are grouped into functions that have a common purpose

and require similar attributes. The pathways are Biotechnology, Patient Care, Health

Care Administrative Services, Health Care Operational Support Services, Public and

Community Health, and Mental and Behavioral Health. Standards for each career

path build on and continue the anchor standards with more complexity, rigor, and

career specificity

B. Patient Care Pathway

The standards for the Patient Care pathway apply to occupations or functions involved in the

prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of mental and physical

well-being through the services offered by the medical and allied health professions. The standards specify the knowledge and skills needed by professional and technical personnel pursuing careers in this pathway.

Sample occupations associated with this pathway:

Kinesiotherapist

Nurse Anesthetist

Respiratory Therapist

Radiologic Technician or Technologist (Technologist are allowed to inject contrast and Technicians are not)

Dental Hygienist

What Radiologic Technologists Do

There are different types of technologist and they have different ways to take different types of  images, to see different thing things.  For example some show bone better or soft tissue better or the function of body organs more accurately.

 Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations on patients, using x-rays. MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images (a really strong magnet). Ultrasound technologist use sound wave to acquire their images. Nuclear Medicine technologist use gamma-rays to take images, and Cat scan and Mammography use x-rays to take images.

Work Environment

Radiologic and all technologists work in healthcare facilities, and more than half work in hospitals.

How to Become a  Technologist 

Radiologic Technologists and all technologists typically need an associate’s degree. (Must see a counselor and research Radiology school for specifics instruction). However, generally the following classes must be taken before X-ray school exceptance.  High school students can start early taking college courses,if allowed by high school. 

Human Anatomy & Physiology with a lab

General Physics (topics must include sound

waves, heat, light, and motion)

 Medical Terminology

Written Communication

 Oral Communication (i.e., Speech)

 College Algebra (Intermediate Algebra) and must receive a C or higher GPA.

Many MRI technologists and other specialty technologist, start out as radiologic technologists and specialize later in their career. Radiologic technologists must be licensed or certified in most states. Employers typically require or prefer prospective technologists to be certified even if the state does not require a national ARRT license.