This post provides detailed information on the radiology assistant career, including how to become one, the various career opportunities you can explore, as well as the benefits you can enjoy from working as a radiology assistant.
How to Become a Radiology Assistant
Here are steps you can take to become a radiology assistant:
- Investigate Radiology Assistant Education
One of the first things to consider if you want to become a radiology assistant is how much education you’ll need.
A Bachelor’s degree is held by 36.3% of radiology assistants, according to our research.
In terms of higher education, 2.2% of radiology assistants hold a Master’s degree. Despite the fact that some radiology assistants have a college degree, it is feasible to become one with only a high school diploma or GED.
2. Improve your Radiology Assistant Skills
Before applying for a position, you should learn how to be a radiology assistant.
Here are some skills/talents that are frequently included in radiology assistant job descriptions that you need to have and improve on:
- Patient Care
- Medical Records
- Customer Service
- CPR
- Data Entry.
3. Finish Relevant Training/Internship
Radiology assistants undergo less than a month on-the-job training after they are hired.
New radiology assistants gain the skills and procedures required for their individual position and employer during this period.
4. Obtain Certification as a Radiology Assistant
By obtaining relevant certifications, you can prove to employers that you have the expertise required to be effective on the job of a radiology assistant.
They can also help you stand out as a candidate.
Even if a credential isn’t required by employers, having one can help you stand out in an application.
More tips on How to Become a Radiology Assistant
5. Responsibilities of a Radiology Assistant
When deciding to become a radiology assistant, it is critical to understand the tasks and obligations of this position. You can see them here: radiology assistant job description.
6. Create a Resume
Finally, once you’ve reviewed the required abilities and responsibilities for this position, you may begin developing your CV.
Everything that goes into building a beautiful resume might take hours, days, or even weeks to complete.
However, you can learn how to make a resume by yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.
Radiology Assistant Career Opportunities
Here are various career opportunities you can get into with a radiology assistant background:
- Lead Radiology Assistant
A lead radiology assistant is a clinical or non-clinical individual who is responsible for the direction of a department.
The lead may be responsible for managing all related work activities and determining the priority of tasks.
This role is also accountable for the supervising of staff members and providing leadership support.
2. Medical Assistant
A medical assistant (or nursing assistant) is responsible for providing support services in a medical clinic, which includes collecting patient information, taking vital signs, and performing minor exams.
The medical assistant is important to the success of the treatment plan by acting as a liaison between the physician and patient.
The role includes taking drug orders, dispensing medication, assisting with laboratory tests and more.
The medical assistant is one of the most important members of the clinical team.
3. Radiologic Technician
A radiologic technologist is responsible for performing imaging procedures, obtaining results and proper reporting.
The job description includes patient preparation, positioning of the patient, radiation protection, operation and performance of radiological equipment and performing quality assurance procedures.
4. Patient Care Coordinator
A patient care coordinator (or nurse coordinator) is responsible for directing medical personnel to ensure that the patients get the treatment they need and provide support services to healthcare providers.
They are responsible for maintaining the coordination of different healthcare professionals’ patient care teams.
More Radiology Assistant Career Opportunities
5. Assistant Manager
A radiology assistant can soon advance to become an assistant manager.
As an assistant manager, they are accountable for supervising and managing the radiology assistants in a facility.
They are responsible for leading and developing their staff members.
The role includes hiring, training, motivating and managing their employees. Another position taken by a radiology assistant is the center manager, which involves supervising other employees in the facility, including senior staff members, doctors and nurses.
6. Center Manager
A center manager is responsible for coordinating and supervising the activities of all radiology assistants in a facility.
The role also involves mentoring and training staff members.
Center managers are responsible for training and managing employees in the facility.
They also help schedule their staff members to insure that they have enough time to perform the tasks.
7. Laboratory Technician
A lab technician is an individual who performs routine and non-routine testing on blood, urine, body fluids, tissues or cancer cells.
The job description includes performing laboratory tests, drawing blood and other body fluids, prepping patients, maintaining a clean work environment and following emergency procedures.
The lab technician is a skilled professional whose main job is to ensure the proper delivery of quality care to patients.
Additional Radiology Assistant Career Opportunities
8. Registered Nurse
A registered nurse (RN) is an individual who has completed a formal education program in nursing at an accredited school.
The job description includes planning, implementing and evaluating patient care through the nursing process.
The registered nurse is in a leadership role and is accountable for supervising and training other people in their facility.
Some of the main responsibilities include providing health assessment, implementing a treatment plan and providing education to patients and their families.
9. Registered Nurse Supervisor
A nurse supervisor is an individual who is accountable for supervising the registered nurses in a facility.
The role includes providing education, planning and implementing quality care, directing and training other people and establishing relationships with health care providers.
The nurse supervisor ensures that their organization complies with established standards of practice, laws and regulations.
10. Team Leader
A team leader is accountable for managing staff members in a facility.
The job description includes training employees, planning work schedules, scheduling appointments and consulting with physicians about patient care needs for their facility.
Challenges Faced by Radiology Assistant on the Job
Some of the challenges faced by radiologic assistants are difficult communication with patients, limited understanding of medical terminology, and finding time to complete the job requirements:
- Difficult communication with patients
Often patients have to learn how to communicate in different ways about their diagnosis, results of tests, procedures and other health concerns.
The radiologic assistant has to adapt, and improvise to understand different ways of conversation especially with non-English speaking patients.
2. Limited understanding of medical terminology
Some words used in radiology can be difficult for the radiologic assistant to understand due to the lack of knowledge of radiology.
It is usually required they take a training course or attend classes which will help them improve their understanding of radiology.
3. Finding time to complete the job requirements
The radiologic assistant has to complete their work in the time frame they are provided with, especially involving other tasks, such as answering the phone while they are doing their job.
They have to manage their time effectively by being organized and staying focused.
Major Benefits of Radiology Assistant Career
There are several major benefits that you can enjoy once you become a radiology assistant, they include:
- Employee benefits
Radiology assistants get a wide range of benefits and perks from the job. Some of these benefits include:
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability
- Short-term disability
- Vacation/sick leave.
Most workers in this profession do not get paid vacation or sick leave, but some may be offered a small amount.
One of the most appealing aspects of owning a radiology assistant business is that you can offer your employees, who are often other medical personnel, all the employee benefits they desire.
2. Flexible schedule
Since radiology assistant jobs are often based on a contract or employment with a private practice, you can make your schedule as flexible as possible.
Most of the time, you will be able to choose when and how much time you will spend at work.
This can greatly benefit parents who wish to spend more time with their children and build their career later on.
3. Career advancement
Radiology assistants are among the most sought after professionals in this field.
After mastering a profession like this, many aspire to get more responsibilities and better jobs.
Therefore, they quickly become leaders of the organizations they are working with.
4. Work environment
Radiology assistants generally enjoy working in a clinical environment because they are working closely with patients and they will have the chance to develop vital skills.
This can create a positive work environment that promotes creative ideas and innovation.
More Benefits of Radiology Assistant Career
5. Quality of life
Working in this profession can provide its own form of personal satisfaction. This is linked to the fact that you will be able to get a steady stream of patients with medical needs, as well as helping them solve their problems.
6. Personal growth
Health care is constantly growing and advancing in the U.S. This will, in turn, attract more opportunities for radiology assistants to get jobs and to advance their careers in new and challenging ways.
7. Income security
As a radiology assistant you are likely to earn a median wage that is higher than both the average of those with all educational attainment levels as well as all other workers in the United States (approximately $30.00 per hour).
Conclusion
The radiology assistant career is a rewarding one, which you can get into even if you don’t have a college degree.
If you plan on becoming a radiology assistant, then we highly encourage you to follow the steps outlined above.