Mississippi Radiology Tech Careers and Degrees
Receiving your Radiologic Technologist Training in Mississippi
Becoming a radiologic technician in Mississippi requires completing at least an Associate’s Degree and becoming certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (AART). The degree and certification program includes classroom and hands on training in clinical settings. You will learn about anatomy and physiology, patient care, radiographic procedures, patient positioning for imaging, and medical terminology. During clinical training, you will have the opportunity to operate x-ray and radiology equipment and learn to obtain the best quality images. You will communicate with patients about procedures and ensure patient comfort during the imaging process. Radiologist technician programs teach students how to determine the correct amount of radiation to use based on standards and protocols in profession. After the educational portion of training, you can take a certification exam administered by the ARRT. Radiologist technician training programs in Mississippi will prepare you to pass this exam. Programs are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). If you are graduating from an accredited radiology technician program after December 31, 2014, you must have at least an Associate’s Degree to take the AART exam, according to the American Society of Radiology Technologists.
Radiology Technician Licensing in Mississippi
Entry into medical radiology technician programs in Mississippi is quite competitive. You will need good ACT scores and grade point averages. The RT training program lasts at least 24 months. Mississippi expects that license applicants complete their training at a program accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The programs prepare students to take the AART certification examination. After passing the certification test, radiology technicians in Mississippi are considered Certified Radiology Technicians. However, the Mississippi State Department of Health requires RTs to present proof of certification and education to obtain a Mississippi license to practice. Licensed technologists need at least 24 clock hours of continuing education every year to remain licensed.
Mississippi Radiologic Technology Association
Mississippi Society of Radiologic Technologists
Career Outlook for Radiology Tech Jobs in Mississippi
The profession of radiology technology is growing faster than the average for other occupations, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is in part due to an aging population that requires more diagnosis and treatment. Mississippi radiology techs earn an annual average salary of $45,080 according to the BLS. Pascagoula has the eighth highest employment for radiology techs of any city in the US. Diagnostic radiology technicians can further their education and specialize in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) or mammography scanning. Technologists can earn multiple certifications and expand their job prospects even further. Mississippi shows trends toward strong growth for radiology technology professionals. Most radiologic technologists work in hospitals, imaging clinics or doctor’s offices. They work on the cutting edge of medical care, using the latest scientific advances to care for patients. Radiologic technologists in Mississippi are vital members of the patient care team. People who are interested in a growing medical technology field may want to investigate becoming a radiology tech at one of the Mississippi radiology technician schools.