Career Options after ARRT

Taking the ARRT examination is a pathway chosen by candidates to earn specialized credentials within the field of radiology. They will be able to choose from 15 credentials in this field each of which will provide them with better opportunities in the work field along with better pay within the medical industry. Candidates will also be able to take ARRT-approved educational programs based on the disciplines available in which they wish to specialize in. These programs will be available based on the location of the candidate, as well.

Radiology Technologists generally only require an associate degree as educational qualification and years of field training. This is why an ARRT certification will provide them with the trust and additional qualification that proves their caliber in the profession. Some states do not require candidates to take the ARRT, instead, they will require a state license which is mostly conducted by the ARRT. In such cases, taking an additional ARRT qualification can still provide candidates with better opportunities.

ARRT Credential Options

Candidates will be able to specialize in 15 different professional disciplines within the field of radiology. While they only require an associate's degree to become a radiologic technologist, getting certified in one of the specializations or multiple specializations will ensure that they are good at what they do and prove their commitment toward their profession and patients. The different credential options that one can choose from include-

• Bone Densitometry
• Breast Sonography
• Cardiac Interventional Radiography
• Computed Tomography
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Mammography
• Nuclear Medicine Technology
• Radiation Therapy
• Radiography
• Registered Radiologist Assistant
• Sonography
• Vascular Interventional Radiography
• Vascular Sonography

The two credentials for Cardiovascular Interventional Radiography and Quality Management have been discontinued but the candidates holding these credentials will be able to maintain them indefinitely.

ARRT Credential Details

Each of the credentials that one chooses might overlap with another intricately and at the same time be distinct enough to be separate fields of study that one will have to additionally specialize in. Candidates generally choose to have a single credential in ARRT or a state license in the field and sometimes they take up multiple specializations that can aid their professional endeavors. These credentials and their details are as follows-

Job	Certification Pathway	Average Salary
Bone Densitometry Technologist	Post-Primary	$52,000 per year
Breast Sonographer	Post-Primary	$92,500 per year
Cardiac Interventional Radiographer	Post-Primary	$95,000 per year
Computed Tomography Technologist	Post-Primary	$77,500 per year
MRI Technician	Primary	$77,500 per year
Mammography Technician	Post-Primary	$78,500 per year
Nuclear Medicine Technologist	Primary	$89,000 per year
Radiation Therapist	Primary	$106,500 per year
Radiographer	Primary	$63,500 per year
Registered Radiologist Assistant	RRA Pathway	$126,500 per year
Sonographer	Primary/ Post-Primary	$78,000 per year
Vascular Interventional Radiographer	Post-Primary	$119,500 per year
Vascular Sonographer	Primary	$85,000 per year

Bone Densitometry Technologist

This is a post-primary credential and hence candidates will have to complete a primary pathway credential and maintain it before they can apply for this credential. This credential is taken by candidates who deal with bone health in general. They are required to use specialized X-ray equipment to figure out the density of the bones in question to aid the doctors in figuring out the problem.

Breast Sonographer

This is also a post-primary pathway in ARRT and candidates are required to have a valid primary pathway credential in a supporting discipline before they can apply for this. Candidates who specialize in this will have to use a transducer on breasts as an ultrasound. This is generally done after the patient has an evident abnormality in their breast during their mammogram or clinical exam. Candidates will also be required to explain the procedures involved to patients since the procedure is associated with different factors and risks. The images produced need to maintain a certain quality that can help doctors use them in diagnosis and interventional procedures.

Cardiac Interventional Radiographer

This is a post-primary pathway and hence candidates are required to have a credential in a primary eligibility pathway before they apply for the same. They will also need to meet additional qualifications to apply for this credential. The job role of candidates in this field will include assisting physicians in minimally invasive procedures that can diagnose or treat heart and blood vessel-related abnormalities. They will be able to do this since the procedures involved will be image-guided and avoidant of surgeries.

Candidates will be working with fluoroscopic equipment and the procedures they will have to assist with include angioplasty, stenting, thrombolysis, biopsies, alation, etc.

Computed Tomography Technologist

This discipline is included in the post-primary eligibility pathway and hence candidates will require a valid primary eligibility pathway credential in a supporting field to apply for the same. A CT technologist will be in charge of scanning different parts of a person’s body. This can either be for diagnosing ailments or as part of emergency scanning in the ER. Candidates will be in charge of deciding the radiation dose and balancing image quality. They will also have to ensure that the patients are informed of the procedures and the risks involved.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technician

MRI technologists do not often require state licensure but institutions often only hire people with certifications in the field. It is a primary eligibility pathway and hence can be applied for as soon as one meets the educational and professional requirements for the credential. The job role involves preparing patients for procedures and cross-checking their medical histories before performing the imaging. They will also have to take extra care in taking the best images that can be used for diagnosis and better treatment plans.

Mammographer

This is a post-primary eligibility pathway credential and hence candidates will require a primary pathway credential that is valid and in a supporting field of study. The job role for this credential involves routine screenings of patients who previously had breast cancer and performing mammograms on lumps and other signs of breast cancer. They will be in charge of using specialized equipment for the same and procuring the best images that can be used for diagnosis and treatment by physicians.

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

This is a primary eligibility pathway credential and completing it will make the candidate certified in performing the duties of a nuclear medicine technologist. The job roles here deal with finding conclusive proof for conditions like cancer and heart disease. Candidates will be creating diagnostic images by preparing and injecting radiopharmaceutical agents into patients and scanning to get the best images. Since radiopharmaceutical agents are involved, they will also have to inform the patients of the risks involved and help calm them down during the procedure.

Radiation Therapist

This is part of the primary eligibility pathway and they work with oncologists in identifying cancer and other similar diseased. Their job role will include using special equipment to administer therapeutic doses of radiation to patients. They work in association with doctors and will be a major part of the team treating the patient. They will also be in charge of monitoring the changes in the patient during and post-treatment. As part of the job, they will have to provide support to patients and help them mentally through the process.

Radiographer

This is part of the primary eligibility pathway. The job roles that one will have to take will include working together as a team in diagnosing and treating patients who have different kinds of diseases and injuries. They will have to be skilled and efficient in capturing the best images of internal organs, soft tissues, and bones by using X-ray equipment. They might also have to assist radiologists with different procedures if they can aid their patients.

Registered Radiologist Assistant

This credential has a separate pathway and candidates need to have a credential in radiography which has to be valid and maintained. They will also have to complete an advanced educational program in the field before applying for the credential. Their job role involves assisting radiologists in their duties and even taking over their duties from time to time. This can include performing clinical procedures, assessing patients, and providing patient care.

Sonographer

Candidates will be able to take this either as a primary eligibility pathway or as a post-primary eligibility pathway based on their qualifications. They will be using specialized equipment to make images of the internal organs and tissues of patients based on their injuries. They will be able to further take specializations in this field which can allow them to work in various settings.

Vascular Interventional Radiographer

This is a post-primary eligibility pathway credential and hence candidates will require a primary pathway credential that is valid and maintained along with additional requirements they have to meet for the same. In this profession, they will be assisting physicians to perform minimally invasive procedures that are done based on image processing of blood vessels. The tasks they assist in include angioplasty, stenting, thrombolysis, etc.

Vascular Sonographer

This is a primary eligibility pathway credential. The job role for this involves using ultrasound machines to capture images of veins and arteries for diagnosis. The best images that are created will help doctors find the structure and movement of internal organs or blood vessels thereby helping them diagnose different abnormalities associated with them.

Salary Scope after ARRT

The job outlook for radiologic technologists is projected to be around 6% between the years 2021 to 2031 with around 16,000 openings every year on average. The median wage that one earns is dependent on the institution they work in but is estimated to be around $61,500 per year. The highest pay that one can get in the field is around $95,000 per year. The median wages, according to bls.gov, that one receives as a radiologist technician are as follows-

Institution	Median Wage
Government Institutions	$71,500
Outpatient Care Centers	$67,000
Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories	$62,500
Hospitals	$61,600
Offices of Physicians	$59,500

Finding Opportunities in Radiologic Sciences

Candidates who are working in radiologic sciences will be able to enhance their knowledge in the field by networking, seeking out learning opportunities, etc. For better professional growth, one will be able to join professional membership societies that are mostly non-profit. A few of these include-

• American Association of Medical Dosimetrists/AAMD
• Association for Medical Imaging Management/AHRA
• American Society of Nuclear Cardiology/ASNC
• American Society of Radiologic Technologists/ASRT
• American Society for Radiation Oncology/ASTRO