X-Ray Technician Schools in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Aspiring students can find x-ray technician schools in Port Saint Lucie, FL, and the surrounding area. Schools that offer campus-based and online degree programs in radiology include Keiser University and Indian River State College.
Training programs typically lead to associate or bachelor's degrees. Education includes classroom and clinical instruction, but continuing education credits may be required every few years. X-ray technicians work with physicians and produce films for use in diagnosing medical conditions in patients. Types of x-rays include, but are not limited to, mammograms, MRIs, CT scans, computed tomography and fluoroscopies.
X-ray tech licensing and employment in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Licensure laws for x-ray technicians vary by state and range from stringent to lax, although the American Society of Radiologic Technologists has indicated support for a federal law that would require all states to set educational and certification standards for such personnel. Florida regulates those who perform radiology, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, limited x-ray machine operation and fusion imaging, according to ASRT data.
Most jobs are in hospitals, physician offices and diagnostic imaging centers. Some x-ray technicians work standard 40-hour weeks, but others have evening or weekend shifts or remain on-call.
For those who graduate from x-ray technician schools in Port Saint Lucie, FL, and the environs, potential employers include St. Lucie Medical Center, Lawnwood Regional Medical Center, Radiology Imaging Associates and Martin Memorial MRI at St. Lucie West.
Outlook for x-ray technicians in Port Saint Lucie, FL
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the statewide mean annual salary for radiologic technicians and technologists was $51,190 in 2010. The mean annual salary for x-ray technicians in Port Saint Lucie was $50,610 the same year.
The BLS expects demand for x-ray technicians to grow faster than the average growth rate for all occupations, between 2008 and 2018. As Americans age, so do increased episodes of injury, which can require diagnostic imaging. U.S. Census data from 2009 indicates 17.2 percent of Floridians and 20.4 percent of St. Lucie County residents are 65 or older, compared to the nationwide average of 12.9 percent of Americans.
