Radiology

Radiology Schools in Massachusetts

Attending radiology school may be the start of a rewarding career in health care. In these programs, students interested in using technology to help doctors diagnose and treat patients can learn about fields such as radiography, radiation therapy and medical resonance imaging. Students may not only learn how to use such technology as MRI and X-ray machines, but also to perform sonograms, mammograms and other tests, and how to work with patients to ensure the best results and utmost safety for all involved.

Many prospective students may have heard of a radiologist, who is a medical doctor responsible for the actual diagnosis and treatment options, but be unfamiliar with the many opportunities that exist at the technologist or technician level within the field. These occupations include:

Massachusetts Schools with Radiology Programs

For a relatively small state, Massachusetts has quite a large number of colleges, universities and postsecondary schools, many of which offer radiology programs. Here is a list of some of those schools, according to the National Center for Education Statistics:

  • Boston University (Boston)
  • Bristol Community College (Fall River)
  • Bunker Hill Community College (Boston)
  • Holyoke Community College (Holyoke)
  • Laboure College (Milton)
  • Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of Nursing (Medford)
  • Massachusetts Bay Community College (Wellesley Hills)
  • Massasoit Community College (Brockton)
  • MCPHS University (Boston)
  • Middlesex Community College (Bedford)
  • North Shore Community College (Danvers)
  • Northern Essex Community College (Haverhill)
  • Quinsigamond Community College (Worcester)
  • Regis College (Weston)
  • Roxbury Community College (Roxbury Crossing)
  • Springfield Technical Community College (Springfield)
  • Suffolk University (Boston)
  • University of Massachusetts-Lowell (Lowell)

How to Become a Radiologic Technologist in Massachusetts

The core responsibility of a radiological technologist is to produce diagnostic images, but depending on the educational path that is chosen, that may just be the beginning. The steps to pursuing this career may include:

  1. Earn a high school diploma or GED. This is the typical first step for most health care careers, and that includes radiology. If possible, take college-level coursework in subjects like biology, anatomy and chemistry as part of your secondary education, as these are recommended by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
  2. Complete some level of postsecondary education. The level you need will ultimately depend on which type of radiology job you interests you. The BLS reports that the Associate of Applied Science degree is common among radiologic technologists, though some professions may require only a postsecondary certificate and others a bachelor’s degree. Whatever you choose, it’s important to ensure you attend a program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
  3. Find out whether you need any additional license or certificate to work in Massachusetts. Not all states require licensing, but many do. Search your state website for more details on requirements, or check out the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) to find out how to earn certification. Professional organizations such as the Massachusetts Society of Radiologic Technologists, a state chapter of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, can be helpful.

Radiology Salary in Massachusetts

The table below shows the average annual salaries for several different radiology jobs in Massachusetts, according to the BLS, as well as the number of people employed in each job.

CareerTotal EmploymentAnnual Mean Wage
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians1,36077,500
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers1,99082,450
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists1,10083,550
Nuclear Medicine Technologists68079,760
Radiologic Technologists4,21072,840

Source: 2016 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2016-26 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov.

Additional Massachusetts Radiology Resources

Massachusetts Radiological Society
P.O. Box 54-9132
Waltham, MA 02454-9132
[email protected]
781-434-7313
http://www.massrad.org/

Massachusetts State Department of Health
90 Washington St.
Dorchester, Massachusetts 02121
(617) 427-2944
http://www.mass.gov/

Sources