Which Has A Better Job Outlook, Radiography Technologist Or Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?
Which of these careers would be more rewarding? Which is more interesting?
Posted on February 25, 2010 at 4:48 pm by radiology · Permalink
In: Radiology Technician Jobs · Tagged with: Better, Diagnostic, Medical, Outlook, Radiography, Sonographer, Technologist, Which
In: Radiology Technician Jobs · Tagged with: Better, Diagnostic, Medical, Outlook, Radiography, Sonographer, Technologist, Which
on February 25, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Permalink
I am a radiological technologist. The better job outlook as of right now is actually sonography. Both modalities are saturated though but sonography is slightly demanding. Considering sonography has fewer sonography programs in the country and let alone there are a very few accredited CAAHEP sonography programs in each state so beware of applying to unaccredited ultrasound schools especially to programs the promise you to become one in less than a year while it requires you to pay 30k! Which one is more interesting? Honestly, I like doing x ray especially trauma cases but it all depends on you. I don’t like ultrasound that much just because most of the procedures deal with reproductive procedures that women might feel uncomfortable if a man does it especially when it deals with the vaginal area or the breasts, but of course ultrasound is far more than that. To the men who does want to become sonographers also, don’t give up hospitals still will hire you regardless of your gender just not women’s centers. Two huge benefits of ultrasound is that it’s not ionizing radiation and it does pay a lot more than most modalities out there in the radiology field. Either way both modalities have a lot of opportunities, little bit more to the x ray side because radiological technologists can cross train definitely to MRI, cardiac cath or specials, CT scan, Mammography, and DEXA a lot easier than most modalities in the radiology field honestly while sonographers rarely can cross train really to MRI but they can’t be cross trained to CT, mammo, and DEXA. Yes, the more modalities you know and get registered, the more marketable you become and the more income you can get. Of course, both occupations require formal education in radiation therapy and nuclear medicine. FYI, it is very rare and it is quite marketable to see a radiological technologists who is also a sonographer and still knows how to do both! Either way, both fields are good.
on February 25, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Permalink
Both careers will be around for a while, and have decent pay. You can check http://www.cbsalary.com to get an idea of the pay scales. I think being a sonographer may be a little more interesting, especially if you were able to work with pregnant women.