Should You Become an X-ray Tech With MA Training, and How?
Date: August 30, 2022
Do you see yourself in the healthcare industry yet don’t want to commit to long years of schooling? A profession as a Limited X-ray Technician with Medical Assistant Skills training may be just the fit. Gaining skills in this field can allow one to enter the medical world and begin working sooner rather than later. A specialized vocation and a vital contender in today’s complex healthcare community, an X-ray Technician is a professional role that can allow one to fulfill service within wellness environments, contribute to medical advancements, and garner gainful employment.
Shaving years off the time one spends in a classroom, Gurnick Academy offers a Limited License X-ray Technician with Medical Assistant Skills program, which can be completed in approximately 12 months.* A shorter training period means being work-ready sooner than other health or wellness programs.
What Do Limited License X-ray Technicians Do?
Limited License X-ray Technicians work with healthcare professionals preparing patients for examinations and producing radiographs of the human body for analysis by doctors using visual imaging. They also operate, adjust, and maintain equipment used to show portions. They train to perform radiographic and ancillary medical procedures commonly needed in healthcare settings such as urgent care facilities, imaging centers, physicians’ practices, and orthopedic offices.1
Vital to medical facilities, X-ray Technicians manage radiologic imaging processes, operate diagnostic testing equipment, use digital imaging, explain procedures, and prepare and position patients for imaging processes. They also conduct X-ray examinations of the upper and lower extremities, chest, skeletal, and torso skeletal areas. Additional duties may include taking patient assessments and recording vital signs. The places and uses of radiology are becoming more and more diverse.
Professional Roles with Additional Education
If one wishes to add to their education later, other levels of practice or vocational options within the modern radiologic technology profession are as follows:
- Radiologic Technologist. This person is referred to as an RT, Rad Tech, X-ray Tech, and sporadically a `radiographer.’ The vocation generally requires graduating from a two-year, accredited school of radiologic technology. They perform general radiographic examinations on any body part, organ, system, or structure.
- Extended Practice or Specialist. This RT has gained expertise and experience beyond the standard radiologic technologist and learned other scopes. Extended practice areas fall into these categories, Cardiovascular Interventional Technology, CT, MRI, Mammography, Bone Densitometry, Quality Management, or Nuclear Medicine.
- Registered Radiology Assistant. This person is an advanced-level radiologic technologist who enhances patient care by extending radiological capacities in diagnostic imaging environments. The role falls somewhere between the traditional areas of radiologist and radiographer.
Limited License X-ray Technician Scopes
A Limited Permit X-ray Technician may perform specific examinations of certain anatomical regions. Individuals demonstrating competency receive limited licensure, permitting, or certification as determined by training and state radiology boards. Varying by state, Limited License X-ray Technicians have certification within limited areas or `scopes.’ California licenses for limited scopes of practice in radiography are in these categories:
- Chest
- Extremities—arm, hand, leg, shoulder, knee, hip, or hand
- Skull and sinus
- Spine
- Podiatric—foot and ankle.2
Each state has its requirements. For specific information, contact your state radiology board.3
How to Become a Limited License X-ray Technician
Limited X-ray Technician graduates must pass the California State Examination for licensure. The three-step process for this is as follows.
Step One
Enroll in an accredited XT course.
Step Two
Upon completing training requirements, schedule an appointment to sit for an exam. The exam contains two parts:
A) A core section made up of 100 questions covering physics, radiation biology, safety, technical factors, film processing, patient positioning, and more;
B) A procedure section containing 20–25 questions, specifically in one’s interest scope. (Each testing scope represents 25 additional exam questions. It is possible to add scopes later.)2
Step Three
After completing and earning a passing score on the Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography Examination, you will be issued a California license to practice in the modules passed. License renewal varies by state. Many states require continuing education; others encourage it. Membership within the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) can provide continuing education courses within this industry. Certifications are indexed through a regulatory body.3 State licensing requirements vary between regions.
Limited X-ray Technician course with the Medical Assistant Skills
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts offers a Limited X-ray Technician with Medical Assistant Skills program. Finishing this affords one to pursue entry-level positions in physicians’ offices, chiropractic clinics, imaging centers, industrial health facilities, and governmental agencies. As one vocational option within the modern radiologic technology profession, a Limited Permit X-ray Technician education is also a bridge to other industry roles such as an A.O.S. in Radiologic Technology, an extended practice or specialization, or a role as a Registered Radiology Assistant.
Generally, students finish the program with a command of healthcare professionalism, technological knowledge, and best practices in radiation protection skills. Other skills include the ethical and legal aspects of radiation, physics, radiobiology, and biology—most who take the course report a tremendous and lasting sense of achievement.~
*52 Approved Instructional Weeks
Citations:
1^a, b “Detail Occupational Guide.” 2020. Ca.gov. State of California, Employment Development Department. (Accessed April 12, 2021.)
2^a, b, c n.d. “Get Limited X-Ray License.” Www.glaciermedicaled.com. Glacier Valley Medical Education. (Accessed April 12, 2021.)
3 American Registry of Radiologic Technologists® (ARRT®). 2019. Arrt.org.® The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.® 2019. (Accessed April 12, 2021.)
ARRT®, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists,® and R.T. (MR) (ARRT)® are registered trademarks owned by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Gurnick Academy of Medial Arts is not licensed by, endorsed by, or affiliated with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.®