What are the risks for being an x-ray tech?

Question

i would like to major in x-ray technology, but my sister told me that i could get cancer and to major in phlebotomy. Is there a big difference in pay in CA?

Answer 1

Many, many years ago, there were higher cancer rates in radiation workers. But, the equipment was cruder and the doses to staff was much higher. We also didn't know how dangerous excessive radiation exposure actually is.

Today, working as a radiologic technologist (the proper term for an x-ray tech) is actually no more dangerous than anything else in life. In fact, the cancer rates of RTs are no higher than the general public. The first thing we learn in RT school is radiation protection. We learn right off the bat how to protect ourselves, and we are very diligent about that. If we are in the room during radiation exposure, we not only wear lead aprons, but we use distance as our friend. We stand away from the x-ray beam, and even use the radiologist as a shield.

"There is a general rule of thumb that says if you're about a foot away from where the beam enters the patient, you receive about 1% of the dose the patient receives; if you're three feet away, it decreases to about 0.1%."

http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q11...

Also, we wear radiation badges, which record our radiation exposure. My badge routinely measures NOTHING. Granted, this device does not protect us from radiation, but it reports our exposure. I have never seen a RT receive an excessive or dangerous amount of radiation.

Honestly, the biggest risk to a RT is injuring your back. In today's America, we are moving larger and larger patients, and you would need to worry more about your back than cancer. If your sister is worried about radiation and cancer, why isn't she worried about phlebotomy and getting an accidental needle stick after using the needle on a patient who is carrying the Hep C or HIV virus? That is the same type of improbable situation.

I am unsure what a phlebotomist makes in any state.  But, The American Society of Radiologic Technologists just did a large salary survey, in 2007. The salary varies, depending on your experience, specialties and geographical area. To view, the survey, and see the average salary in your state, you can go to this link:

https://www.asrt.org/media/pdf/research/...

In California, the average mean yearly salary for a RT was $71,063.  You can divide this by 2080 (40 hours per week X 52 weeks) to get an average hourly salary of over $36 per hour.  I would feel very confident that this is more than a phlebotomist's salary.

Answer 2

Your sister is wrong.  Most of the time during an x-ray, you aren't even in the room.  Granted, there are fluoroscopy and OR cases, but you are shielded.  To make it simple, no, being an x-ray tech will not give you cancer.  Thats ridiculous.

Answer 3

someone might see through you

There is no great risk providing you follow the safety procedures.  If there was more risk then there would be x-ray techs dying all over the place and lots of vacant jobs in the x-ray dept.