Tracking industry developments is a good way to keep up with radiology education and training news and trends. Another way to stay informed is to read industry publications and newsletters. A third way to keep abreast of news affecting the radiology field is to participate in forums or community groups where you can interact with other professionals.

Updates about imaging technology, scientific developments, patient care and other issues often arise at radiology seminars and other forms of radiology education and training. Make it a point to stay connected by regularly attending radiology classes, whether in-person or through online radiology training programs.

1. Read journal articles and newsletters.

2. Interact with others through community forums.

3. Attend radiology continuing education courses.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Acquire radiology education and training news and trends through medical articles

Studying peer-reviewed articles and medical information is an excellent way to stay informed with industry developments. Subscribe to medical journals or online newsletters to receive routine updates. Write articles that are relevant to your particular sub-specialty or to the medical imaging field at large.

I recommend: Invest in a subscription to Applied Radiology, the Journal of Practical Medical Imaging and Management, a peer-reviewed journal that includes articles that stress practical applications. Subscribe to the American Journal of Roentgenology, a peer-reviewed publication specifically for the radiology field and its allied sciences. Receive industry newsletters at RadiologyNewsletters.com by entering your email address and selecting the type of publication you want.

Join social networks to heighten your awareness of radiology training and industry trends

Forums provide a platform to gain information and express your opinion about radiology programs, job news, radiology schools and other radiology-related issues. Search for networks that offer topics that interest you, moderators to facilitate dialogue or radiology sub-specialty-group discussions.

I recommend: Contact RadiologyForums.com to talk about your career or ask questions about radiology schools. Communicate with radRounds, a professional and social network for individuals in the radiology field.

Take radiology courses to keep up with educational news and trends

Radiology continuing education provides an opportunity to stay current with medical updates in the field of imaging technology. Find training accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, which provides continuing medical education for physicians. Radiology technician schools offer credentialing by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.

I recommend: Contact Medscape Radiology, an affiliate of WebMD, a health professional network to access medical information and educational resources such as continuing medical education programs. Call CE Essentials, LLC for radiology technician classes online.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use social networks and community forums for professional networking only. Enhance your career, collaborate with others in the medical imaging profession and gain the latest news on radiology continuing education through such groups. Avoid joining professional forums for personal networking.

Radiology technician schools offer radiology education for technicians including training in fluoroscopy, MRI’s, nuclear medicine and ultrasound. The career outlook for radiology technicians is bright. Most healthcare facilities have at least one radiology department.

Radiology education was traditionally offered only at brick and mortar radiology technician schools. Many radiology schools now offer online radiology education. If you decide to take radiology technician classes online, make sure the school is fully accredited. Fully accredited online radiology courses will open many doors for your career. Radiology courses that are not from an accredited school are basically a waste of time and money; it will be difficult to find a job if your radiology classes aren’t from an accredited institution.

To become a radiology technician, you’ll need to investigate:

1. Accredited radiology classes online or at brick and mortar radiology schools;
2. Courses that are necessary for radiology training and degree programs; and
3. Continuing education requirements to maintain your certification.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose the education that suits you best

If you live close to a brick and mortar radiology school, sometimes a 'hands on' education is superior to an online education. Many brick and mortar schools are affiliated with local medical centers and hospitals where real time experience counts. If you're already in a medical field, online courses in radiology can be a great time saver. If you're not in a medical field, online courses will help with the education but not the training for radiology technicians.

I recommend: Check for brick and mortar schools located close to you or in your state and/or get a Bachelor's degree online in radiology sciences if you work in the medical field.

Get the required courses for your career choice

Required courses for a radiology career vary, depending on which career you choose. Courses for radiology technicians aren't as extensive as courses for a bachelors degree in radiology sciences. Whichever career you choose, make sure the courses are correct.

I recommend: Choose the courses required for radiology technicians and looking at online courses for a degree in radiology sciences.

Continue your education yearly as required

Most medical careers require continuing education to maintain your certification. Continuing education assures that you will keep up with the constantly changing field of medicine and advancements. Continuing education requirements can be met at your place of work, seminars or online, as long as the provider of the continuing education is an approved provider. Many busy radiology technicians find that online continuing education is the way to save time.

I recommend: Sign up for online continuing education requirements and study when it’s convenient for you.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Talk to your employer to see if they offer tuition reimbursements. If this is the case, then your employer may pay for your higher education or advanced training.

Train to be the best radiologist in town by building a firm foundation in your radiology education. Start with a clear idea of what radiology training entails. Radiologists are physicians who use imaging technology to diagnose and treat a wide variety of health ailments. They specialize in several areas, including ultrasound, radiation oncology, breast imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (also known as CT scans).

Radiologist schooling begins with training in medical school, prior to continuing advanced training in radiology programs. Radiology sub-specialties require additional years of radiology courses beyond residency and medical school. In order to become a certified radiologist, physicians are required to be board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine or Surgery. Additionally, to maintain a license, radiologists must complete radiology continuing education classes.

1. Discover the benefits of radiology technician schools.

2. Explore online radiology education.

3. Complement your radiologist schooling by joining radiology associations.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Try radiology technician training as a first step in radiologist schooling

Team up with radiologists to provide support to patients without the extensive education required to become a physician. Gain a rewarding career as a radiology technician after completing its rigorous training requirements.

I recommend: Contact All Allied Health Schools, an organization that provides information about allied health education and careers. Enter your zip code to begin the process of landing a career as a radiology technician. Communicate with the College Bound Network, a guide to health care education, and start your journey through radiology school.

Attend radiology classes conveniently with online radiology training

Choose online radiology courses if you want to minimize travel and maximize flexibility in your education. Radiology training programs are just a mouse-click away when you train online.

I recommend: Contact TheEducationEdge.com to train at respected universities that you can select to complete your online degree program from home. Get in touch with HealthCare-TrainingCenter.com, an organization that offers training and education to health care professionals, including online and self-study programs.

Fortify your training with memberships in radiology associations

Making the most of radiology education and training as a radiologist means networking and being involved in the radiology community. Professional affiliations that foster radiology continuing education host regularly scheduled radiology seminars and advocate for the industry. Membership may also entail career and sub-specialty networking opportunities.

I recommend: Join the ranks of more than 30,000 members of the American College of Radiology, the nation’s leading organization of radiologists, clinical medical physicists and radiation oncologists. Membership includes support from a government relations team, practice guidelines, technical standards, and an economics and health policy department. Study the comprehensive listing of state and national radiology societies at RTStudents.com, an organization that provides in-depth information and radiology resources.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When attending one of the many radiology schools, work with an allied health staffing company. These companies place qualified technologists in temporary to permanent positions at high-level facilities nationwide. The hands-on experience will boost your learning curve.

With proper education and training, radiologists and radiology technicians enjoy good job prospects in the present and future. While training programs provide a basis for education, continuing education opportunities and attendance at annual meetings and workshops provide additional opportunities to enhance skills. Various professional organizations and agencies offer opportunities for education and training. Some of the key terms to keep in mind when seeking out radiology education opportunities include AEIRS, ACR and RSNA.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Association of Educators in Imaging and Radiologic Sciences (AEIRS)

The Association of Educators in Imaging and Radiologic Sciences (AEIRS) is an association of people who strive to encourage interest in radiologic technology using radiologic education and communication about their respective expertise. The association offers educational opportunities through its annual meetings and workshops. In addition, members can keep up to date on trends in radiology education by reading AEIRS publications.

I recommend: The AEIRS website offers an in-depth glimpse of the organization, including links to educational opportunities.

American College of Radiology (ACR)

The American College of Radiology, or ACR, is a professional organization consisting of radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians. The organization strives to enhance service to patients and society through various methods, including the provision of educational opportunities for radiology professionals.

I recommend: You can learn more about the ACR and its mission at the website.

Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)

The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) is a professional society comprised of medical imaging professionals, including radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and allied scientists. The society publishes peer-reviewed journals, offers continuing education and hosts the annual radiology meeting.

I recommend: For more information visit the RSNA website, which provides details about membership, meetings, education, publications and more.

Radiographer training

Radiographer training varies depending on the nature of the radiographers job. In general, radiographers receive training on the skills necessary to perform diagnostic tests with x-ray technology. In their training programs, prospective radiographers learn how to prepare the patient for medical imaging, which includes proper positioning, protection against radiation exposure and use of equipment.

I recommend: See a list of radiographer training opportunities at Trade-School.net.

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, or JRCERT, is an agency that accredits traditional and distance learning programs in radiography, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance and medical dosimetry. Programs seeking accreditation must go through an accreditation process, which includes an application, self-study and site visit. Programs accredited by the JRCERT have demonstrated an ability to provide the requisite skills necessary for students to successfully acquire and maintain employment in their field.

I recommend: Visit the website for the JRCERT to learn more.

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is an organization that tests and certifies radiologic technologists. In addition, this organization offers continuing education including ethics requirements.

I recommend: The website for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists provides more information about ARRT's mission.