Did you know that the national job
outlook for X-ray technologists will be very good for the next decade? Many senior citizens now need X-rays and diagnostic procedures to asses their health conditions. So, you can expect to find many employers who appreciate your radiology skills.
You already went through a certificate or degree program Tto become an X-ray technologist, but your education doesn’t end there. Continuing education is a requirement to stay in a radiology career.
So, why is continuing education important? You probably think of it as a means to maintain your licensure or learn something new. But its benefits go beyond these key purposes.
Read on to learn all about the importance of continuing education for X-ray technologists.
1. You’ll Need Continuing Education to Renew Your License or Certification
To keep your license or certification, you must complete radiology continuing education courses. You’ll also need to pursue continuing education to prepare for periodic evaluations.
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists® (ARRT®) has rules for keeping your certification. You’ll need to complete at least 24 continuing education credits every two years also known as a biennium.
If you don’t meet this requirement, you’ll find yourself on probation. You can even lose your license to practice as an X-ray technologist.
The ARRT® accepts a variety of continuing education options to meet this requirement. For example, you can take regular classes, attend approved professional seminars, attend lectures, or learn through self-study courses.
The ARRT® also has continuing qualifications requirements. If you can’t meet them, you risk losing certification. This process includes an assessment that happens every 10 years. The continuing qualifications process involves testing your current skills to find any gaps you may have. The assessment is not graded, but if your X-ray technology skills don’t meet the requirements, the ARRT® will require some specifically geared continuing education courses.
If you don’t take the assessment test, you will have to take 36 CE hours, selected by ARRT® in specific skills within your modality.
2. Continuing Education Can Help You Further Your Medical Career
The importance of CE for healthcare professionals goes beyond your current job. It can also prepare you for new career paths in medicine or allow for specialization within a medical imaging department.
After working a while as an X-ray
technologist, you might consider a leadership role such as a lead X-ray technologist or radiology manager. These are common career paths.
Continuing education also provides a path to expand your radiology skill set to another modality within the medical imaging department and more certifications from the ARRT® .
For example, you could take some continuing education courses to prepare for MRI technologist certification or mammography.
Having multiple specialties can help in the job market making it easier to find a new position. You’ll want to check on your state licensure and the ARRT® requirements to make sure your continuing education aligns with your future goals.
3. Continuing Education Helps You Keep Up With New Developments in Radiology
Your initial radiology education prepared you for the job at that time. But it didn’t teach you developments that would come after graduation.
New digital X-ray technologies have emerged. They reduce radiation which helps protect patients. Imaging tools can now provide an alternative to surgery in some cases. There are even systems that allow medical professionals to evaluate patients’ X-rays remotely.
By pursuing healthcare continuing education, you stay informed and up-to-date with new developments.
4. Continuing Education Helps You Do Better Work
The importance of continuing education can help you do a better job. This leads to better patient care and higher patient satisfaction.
You might have forgetten some of the stuff you learned while studying to become a radiologic technologist, but continuing education can refresh your memory and keep you current with advanced technologies.
Continuing education can also teach you the best practices in X-ray technology and patient care. For example, case studies of previously performed procedures can give you valuable insight and some new techniques to try.
Your employer will also take notice when they do your performance evaluations. Your dedication and improved skills can lead to pay increases, awards, or even a promotion.
5. Continuing Education Can Improve Your Image
Healthcare continuing education can also improve your reputation as an x-ray technologist.
You’ll find more confidence in working with patients and other medical professionals. You might even lead the way in newer and better techniques. Others will see you as more professional and trust in your work.
When you express professional confidence in your work, patients will feel more comfortable during procedures.
Meeting continuing education requirements can also help you join professional organizations in radiology. Joining these organizations can help further boost your image as a professional in X-ray technology.
Now You Understand the Importance of Continuing Education
As you’ve learned, the importance of continuing education goes beyond allowing you to keep your credentials.
It helps you care better for your patients and improve your professional skills. It also gives you better career prospects and keeps you informed of the latest X-ray technology trends.
So, get started looking for continuing education options. You might start by signing up for online radiology courses.
Feel free to reach out to us to learn more about our continuing education courses.
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