The Cincinnati area offers a lot of options in higher education to become a radiologic technologist. Programs in the area feature training for X-ray, computed tomography, ultrasound, MRI, and nuclear medicine. The day-to-day of a radiology technologist, or “rad tech,” consists of lots of patient and family interactions, expertise in performing specialized exams, all while keeping the patient safe and comfortable.
A little more information about local radiologic technologist programs:
- University of Cincinnati Main Campus has the Advanced Medical Imaging Technology program. This program is four years: The first two years is spent in general classes that prepare students for a job in the medical field, and then two years is spent in the clinical portion, consisting of clinicals and modality specific classes. Graduates earn a Baccalaureate of Science in Advanced Medical Imaging Technology. With this, they get one year of specialized training in Nuclear Medicine and one year of specialized training in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). They can sit for each modality’s board exam at the end of each year. With the passing of these exams, they become a certified nuclear medicine technologist (CNMT) and radiologic technologist in Magnetic Resonance Imaging RT (MR).
- Cincinnati State offers Diagnostic Medical Sonography in two specialty areas: general imaging and cardiovascular imaging as an associate degree program. In their first year of school, students take general classes that prepare them for a career in the medical field, while their second and third year are based around specialized ultrasound imaging training and classes. At the end of schooling, students are awarded an Associate of Applied Science degree as well as the opportunity to sit for the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonography (RDMS) exam/Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography (RDCS) exam. With the passing of said exams, they are certified in that area of sonography.
- Northern Kentucky University offers a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science program. For the first year of schooling, students take general education studies. The final three years are specialized schooling teaching about radiologic imaging and clinical rotations. Fluoroscopy, X-ray, and mammography are all modalities students experience at clinicals as well as potential CT rotations. At the end of the program, students are able to take the radiography exam through the ARRT and earn the credentials of RT(R) with the passing of the exam.
- University of Cincinnati Blue Ash offers a Radiologic Technology program and, starting in Fall of 2023, will be a bachelor’s degree that can be completed in as little as three years. In the past, the program was a two-year associate’s degree. This program is a mix of general studies in medicine and X-ray-specific classes and clinicals. Upon program completion, students are able to take the radiography exam through the ARRT and earn the credentials of RT(R) with the pass on the exam!
Every program has a secondary admissions process to be accepted into the “radiologic technologist” specialized portion. Based on school, a certain GPA and specific classes are required to be able to continue. Each website has more information on what is required before beginning each program, and it varies from school to school.
Erin McNamara is an MRI Technologist at Cincinnati Children’s Burnet Campus. She’s also certified in nuclear medicine! Erin loves the pace of radiology here at Cincinnati Children’s, and how their job is always advancing and changing! 2023 she’s coming up on her two years at the hospital. It has been her dream job since middle school to work here, and it has not disappointed her. She likes adventuring around the tri-state area in her free time, watching sports, skiing, and hanging out with her cats and boyfriend.
Erin McNamara, RT(R)(MR), author; Glenn Miñano, BFA, editor; Meredith Towbin, copy editor
