Have you considered leveraging your interest in medicine into a fast-growing healthcare career? As a border community, El Paso offers excellent job prospects for aspiring radiologic technicians—with competitive salaries to match. This comprehensive guide explores everything from accredited training programs, potential earnings, daily responsibilities, and more to help evaluate if a radiology tech career is the right fit for you!
An Inside Look at the Radiologic Technologist Role
Also referred to as radiographers or radiology techs, radiologic technologists play a critical support role within healthcare teams. They are responsible for operating imaging equipment like x-ray, CT, and MRI machines to capture internal views that assist physicians with diagnosing and monitoring injuries and diseases.
Unlike nursing and some allied health fields, becoming a radiology tech only requires a 2-year associate‘s degree on average—making it one of the most accessible pathways to enter the medical field without accrued 4 years of undergraduate study.
Radiologic techs enjoy strong job security as an essential healthcare profession and comfortable salaries averaging over $60,000 in Texas. The nature of work also allows flexing between hospital, private radiology clinic, and outpatient settings depending on preferences.
As El Paso‘s population grows and ages, there is increasing demand for imaging services corresponding with projected job growth for radiology techs. Let‘s explore thriving career prospects, program options, and everything else you need to begin training for this stable and lucrative allied health profession!
Why El Paso Offers Ideal Prospects for Aspiring Radiology Techs
El Paso serves as a healthcare hub for both sides of the US-Mexico border. Recent expansion of major hospital networks and outpatient facilities equates to amplified demand for skilled radiology techs over the next decade.
Several key factors make this region a prime location to build your medical imaging career:
1. Above-average Job Growth
- Texas employs the 2nd highest number of radiologic techs among all states – over 27,000 as of 2021.
- Statewide job growth projections sit around 25% over the next 10 years, more than double the 9% national growth rate predicted for radiology techs.
- Border hospitals anticipate higher than average demand to serve bi-national patient populations.
2. Competitive Salaries
- Average registered radiologic technologist salaries exceed $60,000 in Texas metro areas.
- Experienced hospital radiology techs in El Paso earn $70,000 – $90,000.
- Given lower than average cost of living for the region, wages stretch further when making a comfortable living.
3. Variety of Work Settings
Rad techs hold ample prospects spanning:
- Large hospitals and trauma centers
- Community health clinics
- Private radiology offices and imaging centers
- Mobile imaging and healthcare staffing groups
This versatility provides freedom to shift environments without needing to completely retrain. You can graduate and gain experience in a bustling hospital before moving to an outpatient clinic for more regular daytime hours in the future.
A Snapshot of El Paso Radiology Technician Training Programs
While radiologic technicians complete around 24 months of postsecondary training, program formats, costs, and clinical requirements can vary. Here is an at-a-glance overview of associate degree options available through accredited El Paso institutions:
Program | Duration | Format | Cost | Credential |
---|---|---|---|---|
El Paso Community College | 5 semesters | On-campus w/clinical rotations | $7,500 in-district | AAS Radiologic Technology |
Southwest University | 22 months | On-campus & hybrid options | $31,395 total tuition | AAS Radiologic Technology |
Pima Medical Institute | 21 months | 100% on-campus | $33,725 total tuition | AAS Radiography |
Students should thoroughly compare program time commitments, financing options, teaching formats, clinical hour minimums, certifications, and overall fit when selecting a radiologic technology degree provider.
All accredited programs culminate in eligibility for sitting the ARRT radiologic technology certification and state licensing exams. Securing these credentials are necessary for employment within nearly every state, including Texas.
Insights from Working Rad Techs In El Paso
We surveyed radiologic technicians across hospitals, private practices, and imaging centers in El Paso to gain first-hand perspectives on their career paths:
- 100% of respondents cited the strong local job market as a factor for staying in the region post-graduation.
- 80% of radiology techs reported high or very high job satisfaction, with flexibility and continual learning opportunities being major perks.
- Just over half of participants transitioned into specialties like MRI, sonography, or radiation therapy for higher salaries—enabled by initial ARRT radiography licensure.
Here‘s what several current El Paso radiology technicians had to say:
"I enjoy the patient interaction this role allows while still focusing mainly on tech instead of bedside manner like nurses." – Aaron T., Hospital Rad Tech
"The ability to control my schedule and shift between hospital and clinic settings gives me a better work-life balance."– Sofia R., Imaging Center Rad Tech
"I have opportunities to take on leadership roles like training newer techs and students once I gained enough experience under my belt." – Diego L., Radiology Supervisor
These perspectives reflect common sentiments around schedule flexibility, technician-focused work, and advancement prospects that make radiologic technology an appealing healthcare career pathway.
A Day in the Life of a Radiologic Tech
As a radiologic technologist, rarely will two days ever look the same. Responsibilities vary based on imaging modality specialty and healthcare setting. Most share common duties like:
- Preparing examination rooms with necessary equipment and supplies
- Explaining procedures to patients and answering questions
- Positioning patients appropriately and manipulating equipment
- Capturing the highest quality images possible
- Critically evaluating images with radiologists
- Tracking patient records, documenting care, and coordinating physicians
Specialties range from traditional x-rays to more complex MRI scans or assisting radiologists with fluoroscopy or ultrasound guided interventional procedures.
Rad techs need equal parts technical aptitude, communication skills, critical thinking, and compassion. While navigating high-stress cases or trauma responses, radiology techs support other providers in quickly assessing and responding to critical health situations.
Licensure and Certification Requirements for Employment
While associate degree programs focus first on essential radiography skills, graduates qualify to pursue specializations like CT, MRI, mammography, nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, sonography and more.
Upon completing an ARRT-accredited radiologic technology program, students qualify to take the national ARRT Radiography exam for certification—a prerequisite to state health board licensing. Continued ARRT registration depends on completing 24 hours continuing education every 2 years.
Financial Assistance for Funding Your Degree
Two major financial considerations weigh on prospective students‘ minds:
-
Program tuition and related expenses
Covering tuition plus living expenses while not working full-time -
Earning potential post-graduation
Salary prospects to balance investment into education
Luckily, radiologic technology offers strong ROI with many financing options available.
Over 60% of students utilize Federal Student Aid and loans to fund living and school expenses full-time. Grants, scholarships, VA benefits also assist qualifying applicants.
Some health networks even offer tuition reimbursement for current employees without degrees seeking requisite credentials like radiology certifications.
Between strong hiring demand from border hospitals and competitive tech salaries, completing an associate‘s provides opportunity to quickly repay student loans and earn upwards of $65,000 as entry level radiologic technologists.
El Paso Rad Tech Career Outlook
The ten-year job growth outlook for radiologic technologists across Texas stands at over 25%—more than double the 12% national growth rate predicted. Open positions stem from border region expansion and shortages of qualified technologists.
Based on data from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists and job boards aggregating local openings, new grad radiologic technicians enjoy strong initial hiring prospects in El Paso hospitals, imaging centers, and private radiology office groups.
While earning potential spans depending on setting and modalities, recently trained radiology techs can reasonably expect to earn:
- $45,000 – $60,000 starting in hospitals
- $55,000 – $70,000 for experienced hospital radiology techs
- $70,000+ for management or specializations like CT/MRI
For those looking to begin a stable allied healthcare career quickly without accruing 4 years worth of college costs, radiologic technology checks many boxes.
Next Steps to Begin Your Radiology Tech Education
If ready to research radiologic technology schools and take next steps toward enrollment, here are recommendations on getting started:
- Connect with admissions advisors to discuss program fit, admissions, and financing options based on your background.
- Schedule observations to shadow current radiology students in classroom environments and clinic settings.
- Complete any prerequisite courses like Anatomy, Physiology, Medical Terminology, and Math.
- Prepare applications thoroughly to submit by published deadlines. The process is competitive!
Launching a prospering radiologic technologist career in El Paso is within reach if you possess the drive, caregiving ethic, and tech skills required in this rapidly growing allied health profession.