- Community colleges and technician schools offer associate’s degree programs in radiologic technology(1). An associate’s degree in radiologic technology is one of the minimum requirements to work in several hospitals and healthcare facilities as a diagnostic imaging team member.
- An associate’s degree in radiologic technology usually takes two years of full-time study to finish(2). Most students will be required to attend in-person sessions to get the essential hands-on experience to work in this industry.
- Applicants must secure a valid license to practice radiology in Delaware(3). The Office of Radiation Control (ORC) is in charge of granting these permits. In addition to completing the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) examination, candidates must fulfill other criteria to be considered for a license.
- Reports show that the cost of living in Delaware is higher than the national average. The average salary for a radiologic sciences professional working in the state is still lower than the state’s average salary(4). For new radiologic technologists, starting salaries can range from around $42,590 to $50,250.
List of X-ray Tech Schools
The table below provides information about the two Delaware campuses that offer the state’s sole non-profit radiologic technology and medical imaging program(5). Applicants should verify with the Office of Radiation Control (ORC) whether the particular program of study they are considering meets license standards.
School Name | Associate’s Imaging Program | Bachelor’s Degree Imaging Program | Graduate Imaging Program | National Accreditation | Completion Rate | Credential Exam Pass Rate | Job Placement Rate |
Delaware Technical Community College-George Campus | Yes | — | — | JRCERT, CAAHEP, JRCNMT | 85% | 98% | 100% |
Delaware Technical Community College-Jack F. Owens Campus | Yes | — | — | JRCERT, CAAHEP | 38% | 100% | 98% |
**Data retrieved on July 3, 2022. Changes can happen when new information or data comes in.
Many community colleges and technician schools offer radiologic technology associate’s degree programs(6). Most healthcare organizations and hospitals require at least an associate’s degree program in radiologic technology from applicants who want to work as a diagnostic imaging team member.
Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology, Associate of Science in Radiography, and Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography are typical names for an associate’s degree in radiologic technology. There are also associate’s degrees in nuclear medicine technology and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
In addition to regular coursework, students also participate in clinical rotations and lectures that introduce them to the world of medicine.
A full-time associate’s degree program in radiologic technology can be completed in about two years(7). Most students will have to attend in-person classes to gain the hands-on experience necessary to work in this field.
List of Radiology Programs in Delaware
Here are the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) accredited programs and comprehensive list of all schools in Delaware(8):
1. Delaware Technical & Community College (Jack F. Owens Campus) – Radiography
21179 College Drive, Georgetown, DE 19947
Tel: (302) 259-6680
Program Name: Radiologic technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 56 months
Tuition Fees: $3,354 Resident, $8,388 Non-resident
2. Delaware Technical & Community College (George Campus) – Radiography
700 West Lea Blvd., Suite 101, Wilmington, DE 19802
Tel: (302) 428-4571
Program Name: Radiologic technology
Program Type: Associate of Applied Science
Duration: 44 months
Tuition Fees: $4,527 Resident, $11,322 Non-resident
Radiologic technology is considered the art and science of delivering images of the human body’s organs, bones, tissues, and blood arteries using X-rays. This technology educates students using X-ray equipment and methods, correct patient positioning, radiation safety procedures, and excellent patient care.
Also, combined with relevant and technology-based didactic courses, students can apply their knowledge in radiology departments via integrated clinical experiences.
Students may ask school representatives if they offer any financial aid. However, this does not guarantee sure employment.
X-ray Technician Program vs. Radiology Technologist Program
Delaware is one of the smallest states. However, students can still obtain the training and education they need to practice radiology or pursue career opportunities in that field(9). Students may choose the following specializations:
- X-ray technician
- Radiologic technologist
- Ultrasound technician
- Nuclear medicine tech
- MRI technician
- Radiologist (M.D.)
Radiologic or X-ray technicians often work in hospitals, diagnostic imaging facilities, clinics, laboratories, nursing homes, and even the private sector(10).
Meanwhile, compared to a radiology technician, a radiologic technologist is a medical practitioner with a diverse skill set licensed and registered to do diagnostic imaging studies(11).
In most states, a licensed radiology tech must have at least an associate degree program to use medical imaging equipment(12). A bachelor’s degree in the radiologic technology program is another alternative that may lead to increased employment opportunities, notably in management and supervision.
What Is an X-ray Technician?
As part of the medical imaging team, the radiologic technician generates high-quality diagnostic images analyzed by radiologists — doctors specializing in medical imaging(13).
Trained X-ray technicians can diagnose medical issues requiring immediate treatment(14). They can also help physicians determine the cause of a patient’s condition.
X-ray technicians also oversee office work, such as preparing work schedules, setting up stations for doctors, and managing the records of radiologic departments.
Aside from taking X-rays, some technicians undergo additional training to improve their skills in various specialty areas.
This specialization may involve training in performing various types of medical scans, such as sonograms, magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), or computerized axial tomography scans, known as CAT scans or CT scans.
Before becoming an X-ray technician, individuals must be aware of the profession’s risks and working conditions(15).
Since radiation exposure can be harmful, technicians must follow proper safety procedures when handling and performing medical scans.
Physical conditioning is also essential to maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. Since X-ray technicians often spend much time on their feet, this line of work can be very challenging for people with mobility issues.
How to Become a Radiology Technologist in Georgia
Applicants must be licensed to practice radiology in Delaware(16). The Office of Radiation Control is responsible for issuing these licenses. Besides passing the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or ARRT test, applicants must also meet other requirements to be considered for the license.
To practice in Delaware, a licensed radiologic technologist must be certified by the ORC(17). These professionals can be divided into four certification types: nuclear medicine technologists, imaging technologists, radiation therapists, and cardiovascular technologists.
A technician must first obtain a professional credential from a recognized organization to become certified(18). Earning a degree program and certification in a particular field differs from profession to profession. However, the following steps are often required:
1. Individuals wishing to become registered radiologic technologists must complete a degree or certificate program in their chosen field. To meet the ARRT‘s requirements, candidates must also have an associate’s degree, a diploma, or a combination of these, in their chosen profession.
2. Individuals who wish to apply for certification must first schedule a credentialing exam. To do so, they must provide the necessary documents, such as a copy of their professional credentials and a licensing fee.
3. Individuals who want to earn a professional credential must pass a national exam administered by an organization such as the ARRT or Nuclear Medicine Certification Board (NMTCB).
Applicants need to note that to pass the ARRT exam, they must either graduate from an approved training facility or have a valid certification(19).
Besides a certificate, other documents such as a passport size photo and a signed application are also required to prove that applicants have passed.
4. Applicants wishing to continue practicing as registered rad techs in Delaware must renew their licensure every three years. To maintain their certification, candidates must also complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years.
Suppose applicants fail to renew their license within two years. In that case, they will automatically be removed from the eligible candidates’ list(20).
5. The ORC also provides a special permit to practice limited–scope medical radiography. Individuals may carry out certain types of imaging procedures under supervision.
To practice this specialization, candidates must first apply to the organization. Students need to pass the ARRT Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography exam and are required to receive a special permit.
To become a certified radiologist in Delaware, applicants must have a state license or a degree in the field(21). There are also several steps that applicants must take to become successful in this field.
A high school diploma is the first step in many individuals’ path toward a career in health care. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, students should take at least classes in math and science, such as trig, stats, chemistry, anatomy, biology, physiology, and physics.
Students can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in radiography from a community college or university. However, students must ensure that the program has been approved by the Joint Review Committee for Education in Radiologic Technology.
In Delaware, various requirements are required for a license or certification in a radiologic technology program. Applicants can find more details about these requirements by searching through agency resources.
Applicants need to get in touch with people who have already worked in the field to better understand what it is like to be a professional in Delaware.
Accreditation
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology accredits the school programs(22).
Address: 20 N. Wacker Dr., Suite 2850, Chicago, Illinois 60606-3182
Contact Information: (312) 704-5300
Email: mail@jrcert.org
Webpage: www.jrcert.org
Graduates from an authorized radiologic technology school qualify students to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists‘ (ARRT) certification test.
Career Opportunities
The United States radiologic technology industry is expected to grow at 13% from 2026(23). In Delaware, however, the growth rate is expected to be slower at 9%. This projection is slightly lower than the projected rate of increase for similar professions.
There are also some reports on the job projection for rad techs.
The job outlook for rad techs in Delaware is expected to increase by 16.2 % by 2028, with an average of 60 yearly vacancies owing to both growth and replacements(24). Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 9% increase in employment opportunities for radiologic technologists and technicians in 2028.
In 2020, the average annual earnings of Delaware’s rad tech workers were around $63,000(25). The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metro area had the fifth-highest employment opportunities for these professionals in the country, with 4,330 positions.
Although the BLS does not track the occupational data of limited-scope X-ray technicians, these individuals typically earn less than fully licensed technicians(26).
Most healthcare facilities and organizations in Delaware hire and retain these professionals, such as hospitals, imaging centers, and physicians’ offices. Some companies that employ these professionals include Bayhealth Medical Center, the Tidal Health System, and Beebe Healthcare.
Salaries
A professional in Delaware who works in the field of radiologic science can expect to earn a salary of about $59,310 per year(27). This projection is slightly lower than the average annual salary for technologists in the country.
The cost of living is relatively higher than the national average. However, the average salary is still lower than the national average salary(28). For new radiologic technologists, starting salaries can range from around $42,590 to $50,250.
Professionals training in ultrasounds, MRIs, and other medical procedures may earn over $80,000 annually in Delaware(29).
FAQs
1. How long will it take to complete an X-ray tech program?
A full-time associate’s degree program in radiologic technology can be completed in about two years(30). Most students will have to attend in-person classes in order to gain the hands-on experience necessary to work in this field.
2. What kind of schooling does an X-ray tech need?
In most states, a licensed radiologic technologist must have at least an associate’s degree to use medical imaging equipment(31). A bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology is one alternative that may lead to increased employment opportunities, notably in management and supervision.
3. Is it difficult to become an X-ray tech?
Before becoming an X-ray technician, individuals must be aware of the profession’s risks and working conditions(32).
Since radiation exposure can be harmful, technicians must follow proper safety procedures when handling and performing medical scans.
Physical conditioning is also essential to maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. X-ray technicians often spend much time on their feet, which can be very challenging for people with mobility issues.
4. How much does an X-ray tech make in Delaware?
A professional in Delaware who works in the field of radiologic science can expect to earn a salary of about $59,310 per year(33). This projection is slightly lower than the average annual salary for technologists in the country.
33 Sources
- Radiology Degrees
https://www.radiologyschools411.com/degrees/ - Ibid.
- Radiology Tech Programs in Delaware
https://www.radiology-technician.com/radiology-tech-programs-by-state/delaware/ - Your Career in Radiologic Technology in Delaware Starts Here
https://radiologyed.org/schools/delaware/ - Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in Delaware
https://www.radiologyschools411.com/delaware/ - Radiology Degrees
https://www.radiologyschools411.com/degrees/ - Ibid.
- Your Career in Radiologic Technology in Delaware Starts Here
https://radiologyed.org/schools/delaware/ - Radiology Schools in Delaware
https://www.radiology-schools.com/radiology-schools-state/delaware.html - What Does an X-Ray Technician Do?
https://www.fortis.edu/blog/healthcare/what-does-an-x-ray-technician-do.html - What to Know About X-ray Tech Programs and Radiography Degrees
https://www.cleveland.edu/blog-post/~post/what-to-know-about-x-ray-tech-programs-and-radiography-degrees-20180419/ - Radiology Degrees
https://www.radiologyschools411.com/degrees/ - Radiologic Technology
https://www.dtcc.edu/academics/programs-study/radiologic-technology - What Does an X-Ray Technician Do?
https://www.fortis.edu/blog/healthcare/what-does-an-x-ray-technician-do.html - Ibid.
- Radiology Tech Programs in Delaware
https://www.radiology-technician.com/radiology-tech-programs-by-state/delaware/ - Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in Delaware
https://www.radiologyschools411.com/delaware/ - Ibid.
- Radiology Tech Programs in Delaware
https://www.radiology-technician.com/radiology-tech-programs-by-state/delaware/ - Ibid.
- Radiology Schools in Delaware
https://www.radiology-schools.com/radiology-schools-state/delaware.html - Radiologic Technology
https://www.dtcc.edu/academics/programs-study/radiologic-technology - Your Career in Radiologic Technology in Delaware Starts Here
https://radiologyed.org/schools/delaware/ - Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in Delaware
https://www.radiologyschools411.com/delaware/ - Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Your Career in Radiologic Technology in Delaware Starts Here
https://radiologyed.org/schools/delaware/ - Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Radiology Degrees
https://www.radiologyschools411.com/degrees/ - Ibid.
- What Does an X-Ray Technician Do?
https://www.fortis.edu/blog/healthcare/what-does-an-x-ray-technician-do.html - Your Career in Radiologic Technology in Delaware Starts Here
https://radiologyed.org/schools/delaware/