While the most common route to becoming a Radiologic Technologist is an associates degree, a bachelor’s degree can be a smart option for those who are looking for specific types of positions within the context of medical imaging. Specifically, if you want to be a competitive job candidate for a supervisory position or to become a trainer, a bachelors degree will be a more appropriate option. In addition, if you have been working in the field as a Radiologic Technologist and have decided you want to pursue a job as a Radiologist Assistant, a bachelors degree is the next step in your education.
A bachelors degree in radiology is a significantly more robust education than an associates degree and there are different types of programs available depending on your career goals. Some programs focus on managerial skills, while others focus on advanced imaging modalities or interventional radiology procedures. The following are samples of courses you might expect to take during a radiology bachelors degree program:
- Principles of Quality Management in Medical Imaging
- Advanced Patient Care Issues
- Issues & Trends In Healthcare
- Medical Imaging in the Digital Environment
- Case Studies in Medical Imaging
- Radiology Management Series
- Physics & Instrumentation in Computed Tomography
- Principles of Mammography & Case Studies
- Clinical Aspects of Magnetic Resonance
- Advanced Imaging Modalities (Choose your area of specialization)
Those who have completed a bachelors degree will be more competitive job applicants for positions such as Diagnostic Imaging Director, Lead Radiologic Technologist, or Radiology Training Specialist. Some vocational schools and colleges may also find a bachelors degree in conjunction with proven work experience to be a sufficient level of education for these instructional positions.
A relatively new career path in the radiology community is the Radiologist Assistant (R.A.). This is the most senior level position one can pursue short of being an actual Radiologist M.D. The position requires completion of a masters degree and also has its own certification standards through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Many of the bachelors and masters programs offer hybrid programs in which most of the course work can be completed online, with the clinical requirements being carried out at a local facility under the supervision of an appointed radiology professional. A bachelors degree is a necessary step on the path to becoming an R.A.
If you are thinking of taking your education to the next level, a bachelors degree is a smart option. Whether you want to become a supervisor or simply make yourself stand above the rest, a radiology bachelors degree could be a smart option.
