X-ray tech question?

Question

In the terms Limited scope x-ray tech. What does Limited and scope mean? And how long is schooloing for this?

Answer 1

A limited scope tech means you are LIMITED.  I wouldn't waste my time or money on a limited permit tech program.  You will not be able to do many of the imaging studies required by most facilities.  Most limited techs work for orthopedic offices, and finding a job will be difficult.  Most employers want a fully licensed radiological technologist who can do ANY imaging study involving radiation.

RTs do more than just x-rays of bones. We do fluoroscopy studies (involving the intestinal tract and barium), arthrograms (assisting the radiologist with injecting contrast or dye into joints for evaluation) and myelograms (assisting the radiologist with injecting contrast into the spinal canal). If you work in a hospital setting, you will do portable exams in ICU, CCU, the ER and even surgery.  Some RTs take x-rays in the morgue.  A limited permit holder would be unable to do most, if any, of these procedures.

Most RTs will also become proficient and licensed in other modalities, such as mammography, CT and/or MRI.  This training does not require any additional formal training, and is usually learned on the job.  The more licenses you have, the more money you can make, as you will be in higher demand. With additional schooling, you can also do ultrasound.  A limited permit tech would be unable to branch out and do these other modalities.