Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Radiologic Technology?
   
   

• Radiologic Technology is the science of using radiation or radioactive substances in a controlled manner for the diagnosis of illness or injury and the treatment of disease. The radiologic technology program at USI prepares individuals to function effectively as entry-level radiographers.
  
  
2. What is a radiographer?
   
   
   • A radiographer is a radiologic technologist who, under the direction of a physician, performs radiologic (x-ray) examinations of all parts of the human body.
     
     
3. How long is the radiology program?
   
   
• The radiology program at USI provides a curriculum which includes didactic courses in conjunction with laboratory and clinical experience. The curriculum consists of 1 1/2 years of pre-requisite general education courses and 2 1/2 years of professional education work once the student is accepted into the program.
  
  
4. What kind a degree will I receive when I am done with the curriculum for USI's Radiology Program?
   
   
   • After completion of the 4 years of required curriculum, students will receive a BS degree in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences. The student will then be eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
     
     
5. Is USI's Radiology program accredited?
   
   
• The Radiologic Technology Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
  
  
6. How many students are accepted into the program each year?
   
   
   • The radiology program is limited in the number of students that may be accepted each year. USI, in collaboration with the clinical affiliates, reserves the right to determine the number of students enrolled in each beginning class. Total admissions can not exceed the maximum number established by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Currently the program is accepting 20 students for each beginning class.
     
     
7. How many students apply to the program each year?
   
   
• Admission to the radiology program is very competitive. Over 200 students at any given time have declared pre-radiology as their major. This means that over 200 students are working on fulfilling their prerequisite courses to become eligible to apply. On average 50 students each year of those more than 200 students apply and are interviewed for positions in the program. Out of those 50 students, 20 students with the highest admissions scores are invited into the program.
  
  
8. What is the employment outlook in this field?

   Reply comes from US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics

   • "Job opportunities are expected to be favorable. Some employers report difficulty hiring sufficient numbers of radiologic technologists and technicians. Imbalances between the demand for, and supply of, radiologic technologists and technicians should spur efforts to attract and retain qualified workers, such as improved compensation and working conditions. Radiologic technologists who also are experienced in more complex diagnostic imaging procedures, such as CT and MRI, will have better employment opportunities, brought about as employers seek to control costs by using multi-skilled employees.
     
     
   • Employment of radiologic technologists and technicians is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2014, as the population grows and ages, increasing the demand for diagnostic imaging. Although healthcare providers are enthusiastic about the clinical benefits of new technologies, the extent to which they are adopted depends largely on cost and reimbursement considerations. For example, digital imaging technology can improve the quality of the images and the efficiency of the procedure, but remains expensive. Some promising new technologies may not come into widespread use because they are too expensive and third-party payers may not be willing to pay for their use.
     
     
   • Hospitals will remain the principal employer of radiologic technologists and technicians. However, a greater number of new jobs will be found in offices of physicians and diagnostic imaging centers. Health facilities such as these are expected to grow rapidly through 2014, due to the strong shift toward outpatient care, encouraged by third-party payers and made possible by technological advances that permit more procedures to be performed outside the hospital. Some job openings also will arise from the need to replace technologists and technicians who leave the occupation."
     
     
9. What are the potential earnings for this field?
   
   

   Reply comes from US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics

   • "Median annual earnings of radiologic technologists and technicians were $43,350 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $36,170 and $52,430. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,020, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $60,210. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of radiologic technologists and technicians in May 2004 were: "

     Medical and diagnostic laboratories	$46,620
     General medical and surgical hospitals	43,960
     Offices of physicians	40,290




10. Where can I receive more information?

More information can be received by calling 812/465-1181, writing to Martin A. Reed, PhD., RT (R), Radiology Program Director, University of Southern Indiana, College of Nursing and Health Professions, 8600 University Blvd., Evansville, IN 47712.

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