To become a CT technologist, one must complete a radiology program, gain clinical experience, and obtain CT certification. A high school diploma or GED is required, and a bachelor’s degree is ideal. Certification is obtained through an exam, and work experience is necessary for CT technologist certification. Additional medical certifications may be required by employers.
The path to becoming a CT technologist, also known as a CT technologist, requires a person to complete a radiology-related program, complete post-program clinical work, and become certified in CT. In some cases, employers have additional requirements for applicants. Certifying organizations and employers often require continuing education after computed tomography certification.
Those who wish to become a CT technologist must graduate from an accredited radiology program. Most programs stipulate that applicants must have a minimum of a high school diploma or a graduate equivalence diploma (GED). Courses such as chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology provide a good foundation for the work of the CT technologist.
When a person is ready to apply to a radiology program, they must decide which program is appropriate given their career goals in computed tomography. Certificate and associate degree programs are available, with an associate degree being pretty standard in the industry. Technologists are different from technicians in that they are a little more advanced, however, they supervise technicians. Thus, a bachelor’s degree program is ideal for an aspiring technologist, although it is acceptable to complete an associate degree program and advance over time with on-the-job experience.
During a radiology program, a person who wants to become a CT technologist takes courses such as patient safety, scanning methods and precautions, contrast agents, and software communication. Other classes include anatomy, physiology, and radiation physics. During the final phase of the program, students must complete clinical work, where they learn skills such as equipment care, patient positioning, and proper record acquisition and storage.
Upon completion of the radiology program, the next step is to obtain certification in radiography, nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy, MRI or sonography. Someone who wants to become a computed tomography technologist can do so through the leading certifying radiology organization in their jurisdiction. In the United States, the main agency is the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Certification requires passing an exam that tests radiology-related skills and knowledge.
Work experience is the next important stage in becoming a CT technologist. Not all jurisdictions require additional certification of their radiologists who focus on computed tomography work, but many do, with clinical experience serving as the basis for computed tomography technologist certification. ARRT, for example, considers initial registration as primary certification, with CT certification as post-primary certification. For this certification, CT technologists must take an additional exam and provide documentation verifying that they have completed a specified number of CT procedures, which must have taken place under a board-certified radiologist within the two years prior to application. Some hospitals have programs designed to provide this training to individuals who already have primary certification.
After computed tomography certification, an individual is free to pursue work as a computed tomography technician anywhere they wish. Hospitals and clinics are the most common areas, but some positions are also available in research institutions. Employers have varying requirements on the amount of work experience they require technologists to have to apply, and many require additional medical certifications such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
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