Imagine Your New Imaging Career in Phoenix

Date: April 6, 2023

Phoenix, the capital of Arizona, lies along the Salt River in the “Salt River Valley,” a.k.a. “Valley of the Sun.” It’s said by some to resemble Los Angeles in culture.¹ A red-earthen desert floor, “forests of cacti,” rich sunsets, and wildflowers sit against a backdrop of metropolitan shopping areas. Meanwhile, it’s home to southeastern food eateries, sports complexes, and contending industries.

Overall, the Greater Phoenix area encompasses rugged remoteness and cultured city life. 

Cities That Make Up the Greater Phoenix Area

Greater Phoenix is made up of satellite communities,¹ including:

• Scottsdale—An area boasting art galleries, equestrian lifestyles, and spacious estates. The area also comprises the largest urban wilderness area in the U.S.;²
• Fountain Hills—A semi-exclusive community, mostly all homeowners. Officially known for what was once the tallest fountain (hence its name);³ 
• Tempe—Home of Arizona State University and the consequential nightlife that comes with college residents;
• Mesa—Founded by the LDS in 1878.⁴  The city is predominately LDS or FLDs and often nicknamed the “Mormon capital of Arizona;”¹ 
• Chandler—“One of the fastest-growing technological centers in the U.S. Boasts a supportive business climate attracting global industry leaders, exciting startups.”⁵
• Glendale—Est. In 1910, it is home to attractions like Sahuaro Ranch Park and facilities like State Farm Stadium (home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals);⁶
• Goodyear—Known for sporting venues.⁷ Hosts spring training for the Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Indians teams. Named for Goodyear Tire Company;⁷
• Avondale—A fast-growing community providing open spaces, recreational amenities,⁸ and family-oriented neighborhoods. 
• Sun City—Famously known as a retirement community.¹

Eclectic Spaces

With a blend of south-of-the-border culture and new metropolitan flavor, one can always find something to do. From outdoor venues and a plethora of hiking trails to hot-air balloon rides—boredom isn’t an option. From the Desert Botanical Garden to the Musical Instrument and Heard museums, there’s a culture at one’s fingertips.

Moreover, there’s also Papago Park and Chase Field (home of the Arizona Diamondbacks), the Phoenix Zoo, OdySea Aquarium, and the Arizona Science Center.          

More Than Sporting Arenas and Happy Trails

However, despite the state’s happy trails and sporting arenas, “Arizona’s healthcare ranks among the nation’s worst,” say experts.⁹ Considering a six-part index, the state’s healthcare services comprise the bottom third of the nation.⁹ The index measured residents within several categories. Areas included healthcare insurance,⁹ spending per capita of healthcare and hospitals,⁹ individual health,⁹ available hospital beds,⁹ and employee premium contributions.⁹

What’s more, a special report by Wall Street 24/7 showed 18.6 percent of the state’s adults being in fair to poor health. This average is higher than the national share of 16.5 percent.¹⁰ Also, studies indicate residents are more likely to lack general access to healthcare overall.¹⁰ 

Greater Need in the Greater Phoenix Area 

Many feel the antidote to disparities resides in health education. While experts say the fight against subpar care ultimately begins with accessible medical care and a ready-trained workforce. With such a need, now is the time for suitable answers and solutions. 

If one is contemplating a healthcare profession, now may be the perfect time to enter the field. Whereby some key elements to consider pursuant to a healthcare goal include: 

1. The climate for trained healthcare professionals is currently high.
2. Many allied health and imaging programs don’t take years of schooling. Surprisingly, there are specific programs one might train in and complete quicker than one might realize.
3. Multiple options in modern healthcare training exist which don’t require high prerequisite thresholds for acceptance into specific programs.

Career Path in Imaging

One educational program meeting the above criteria is imaging. A student graduating from a diagnostic imaging course may become an X-ray or Radiologic Technologist. And the good news is one may train in as little as 23 months.* Upon program completion, future technologists undergo a national registry examination to be certified.

Gurnick Academy’s Associate of Occupational Science Radiologic Technology (A.O.S. in RT) Program prepares future professionals for diagnostic imaging procedures. This is for work within imaging departments, emergency rooms, doctors’ offices, and hospitals. Moreover, students learn techniques to diagnose better and treat disease and injury for overall patient well-being.

A Fortuitous Time

If you’ve been on the fence about a healthcare career, now may be the perfect time to enter the field. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, job openings in imaging will only continue to grow.¹¹ Further, overall employment in the field is projected to expand by nine percent between 2020–2030.¹¹  More than 20,800 openings for technologists are projected yearly over the next decade.¹¹                                    

Many also find imaging as a vocation to be a living wage. As of 2021, the median annual salary for Radiologic Technologists in Arizona was $61,940^† a year, with the top end of earners for the state making $94,420.^† 

‘Imagine Yourself in Imaging’

If you’re wondering about the satisfaction of technologists, reports seem favorable. U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Jobs” gave the profession a 5.3 score out of ten in job satisfaction. Likewise, the vocation rated No. 21 in “Best Healthcare Support Jobs,” with a reported unemployment rate of only 6.3 percent.¹³  Satisfaction was measured based on various factors, including wage, stress, work-life balance, growth predictions, etc.

Online Programs in Phoenix

Given the satisfaction of an imaging profession, area attractions, and the opportunity to do good in a city with so much to offer, our online course might be the best overall attraction in the Greater Phoenix area. Therefore, if you imagine yourself in imaging, check out Gurnick Academy’s new online A.O.S. in RT program with clinical locations in Phoenix today.~ 

Note:

*94 Approved Instructional Weeks
^†This may or may not be your experience. It’s important to remember that salaries can vary depending on many factors, including seniority, experience, geographic location, company policies, and culture. 

Citations:

¹ McNamee, Gregory Lewis. “Phoenix.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Mar. 15, 2023. (Accessed Mar. 28, 2023.)
² “About Scottsdale.” Www.scottsdaleaz.gov. The City of Scottsdale. (Accessed Mar. 28, 2023.)
³ Admin. “Living in Fountain Hills.” Niche.^© Niche.com Inc.^© 2023. (Accessed Mar. 28, 2023.)
⁴ Admin. “Mesa Heritage Wall|Arizona Museum of Natural History.” Arizona Museum of Natural History. 2023. (Accessed Mar. 28, 2023.)
⁵ “Explore Chandler, AZ|City of Chandler.” Chandleraz.gov. City of Chandler, Arizona, 2018. May 6, 2019. (Accessed Mar. 28, 2023.)
⁶ “About the City.” Www.glendaleaz.com. The City of Glendale. 2023. (Accessed Mar. 28, 2023.)
⁷ VacationIdea^© Staff. “15 Best Things to Do in Goodyear, Arizona.” VacationIdea.^© VacationIdea, LLC.^© Feb. 28, 2023. (Accessed Mar. 28, 2023.)
⁸ “Our City|City of Avondale.” Www.avondaleaz.gov. The City of Avondale. (Accessed Mar. 30, 2023.)
⁹ Contributor, Elizabeth Troutman|The Center Square.^© “Arizona Health Care System Ranked Among Nation’s Worst.” The Center Square,^© Franklin News Foundation. (Accessed Mar. 30, 2023.)
¹⁰ Brynes, Hristina, and Grant Suneson. “This Is Where Arizona’s Health Care System Ranks in the US–24/7 Wall St.”^© 24/7 Wall St.,^© 24/7 Wall St., LLC.^© (Accessed March 30, 2023.)
^{11^a, b, c, d} Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Radiologic and MRI Technologists. (Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.)
¹² “Radiologic Technologists and Technicians.” Www.bls.gov, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2021. (Accessed Mar. 30, 2023.)
^{13^a, b} Bratcher, Emily. “Radiologic Technologist Ranks among Best Jobs of 2020.” Money.usnews.com. U.S. News and World Report. June 3, 2020. (Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.)

Categories:

• healthcare
• Radiologic Technology