The two-year program is extremely competitive and there is usually a waiting list. After one quarter of core courses, students jump right into the technical subjects, including clinical work in a hospital. Students study subjects like physics and electricity so they understand how the equipment works and learn to detect problems. They should possess a desire to learn, an inner feeling that they care for people and an ability to learn from others. And they must be motivated and need to be able to problem solve.
Clinical experience is an important aspect of the training.
In the second quarter, students spend one or two days a week in a clinical setting, but by the seventh quarter, four days a week are in the clinic. This is a field that offers a lot of variety. There are many specialty areas and room for further training. You can expand, do different things, and don't have to stay in general radiology. With an additional year of training, radiologic technologists can provide radiation therapy for cancer patients.