Published February 29, 2012 | 
Students considering a career in the healthcare field as a radiologic technician will find that the occupation is projected to continue its strong growth and employment prospects are favorable. Educational programs leading to a career as a radiologic technician include certificate programs and associate and bachelor’s degree options. Schools offering this program are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and prospective students need to research schools they are considering to ensure they possess this accreditation. Graduation from an accredited program is necessary to be eligible to take a national licensing examination which leads to certification, often required by states for licensure.
Coursework in radiologic technology will discuss anatomy and physiology, radiation physics, medical terminology and pathology. Given the substantial amount of patient contact a technician has they are also trained in areas related to ethics and patient care to make sure they are sensitive to each patient’s unique needs, uphold confidentiality and treat each individual they see with respect and dignity. Academic programs combine academic coursework with clinical field experiences designed to provide the opportunity to practice what they have learned in classes and labs, experience the responsibilities a technician has in physician offices or outpatient care centers and expand their overall knowledge of the field.
Radiologic technicians competently perform diagnostic imaging procedures ordered by a physician such as x-rays, CT scans, MMRIs and mammograms. These examinations provide the physician with critical information regarding a patient’s condition or symptoms and help to diagnose a patient or view their progress. Licensure regulations vary according to the state a technician is employed in and the state board can provide interested individuals with this information. Federal guidelines also govern the safe use of radiation devices by radiologic technicians and patients through the training process. Most employers only consider certified technicians for employment opportunities and prefer those who are adept at a variety of imaging procedures.
Following completion of an accredited radiologic training program graduates are eligible to sit for the national examination offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technicians. Successful completion of this exam leads to the designation as a certified radiologic technician. Hospitals have traditionally been a major employer of technicians but the increased use and effectiveness of diagnostic imaging has created additional opportunities in outpatient centers and private physician offices. Salaries for radiologic technicians vary depending on years of experience, location of employment and level of specialization. Median salary ranges for technicians are from $48,000 to $55,000 with numerous opportunities for career advancement and mobility.
Published February 26, 2012 | A sonogram technician, also referred to as a diagnostic medical sonographer, is an imaging specialist who is trained to operate sophisticated ultrasound equipment to obtain images of the patient’s interior body parts. These images are then interpreted by a trained physician who uses them to make diagnoses and to recommend treatment.
Some sonogram technicians specialize in specific areas of medicine such as obstetrics and gynecology, abdominal, mammography or neurosonography. Specialization typically requires increased levels of experience and training, but may also result in higher wages.
A student can typically complete the training required to become a sonogram technician in two to four years, although some institutions offer a compressed one-year program that leads to a certificate, which may be acceptable to some employers. Most employers require candidates to hold at least an associate degree from an accredited two-year program. Certification is not required by any state, but employers may prefer to work with candidates who hold credentials from an independent, non-governmental organization.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates strong continued demand for sonogram technicians through at least 2018, although availability of new employment opportunities may vary significantly by region. Those who have the ability and willingness to relocate may have a better chance at landing a job in the field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also notes that sonogram technicians who hold credentials in a variety of specialties should have increased employment opportunities and may command higher salaries. Sonogram technicians with additional education may advance into supervisory or managerial roles, which can also result in higher wages.
The median annual income for sonogram technicians across the United States was just over $64,000 as of May 2011, but the top 10 percent earned more than $88,000 per year. More than half of all sonogram technicians worked in general medical hospitals or surgical hospitals, where they earned average wages of approximately $65,000 per year. Those who worked for employment services earned the highest average wages for their employment category at just over $73,000.
Close to 10 percent of the nation’s sonogram technicians worked in the state of California where they earned average annual wages of $77,260, according the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Only two percent of the nation’s sonogram technicians worked in Massachusetts, but those who worked in the state earned the highest average wages in the country at $80,000 per year.
Published November 19, 2011 | Finding employment as an aviation mechanic can be fiercely competitive. It is important for the individual wanting to enter this field to obtain as much education as they can prior to applying for their first job. An aviation mechanic with a higher degree of education, more certifications and licenses and more experience can achieve a much higher salary level than can mechanics with fewer credentials.
Most aviation mechanics are employed on a full time basis, meaning that they work an average of at least 40 hours every week. Their shifts are typically eight hours long and they may be required to work any shift occurring in a twenty-four hour period. Overtime is commonly available from most employers and can significantly increase the aviation mechanic’s pay on a regular basis.
The potential salaries earned by an aviation mechanic will vary depending upon the size of the company by which they are employed. Smaller companies tend not to pay as much as larger aviation companies, but there are exceptions to this rule. The geographic location of the job may also affect the pay scale with workers in remote areas generally earning less than those in urban areas. Salaries can also vary depending upon the type of aircraft on which the mechanic works. As an example, helicopter mechanics tend to be more highly paid than those who work on fixed-wing aircraft.
An aviation mechanic with an airframe and powerplant certificate who has at least a decade of experience can easily earn more than $70,000 per year when working for salary. On average such a person would be compensated with $45 per hour should they be working on an hourly basis. Mechanics who specialize in large aircraft will typically be paid more than those mechanics who work in general aviation. An aviation mechanic without a license or certificate may be able to find employment, but it will generally be difficult to obtain and will not pay nearly as well as jobs that require licenses or certifications.
It is not unusual for an aviation technician to earn well over $100,000 per year in certain jobs. Because of the high level of responsibility for the safety of travelers that the mechanic must accept they are generally well compensated for their work. Aviation mechanics are in demand at air fields around the world. Those who have achieved the necessary training and have experience will easily find attractive employment opportunities.
Published November 13, 2011 | When identifying the salary range for an automobile technician, the specific range boils down to a person’s experience, title, location, and even their skill/potential. In some cases, an automobile technician is paid based on what they know and can offer the company they work for. However, there are pretty general ranges and rates that various types of automobile technicians are paid.
In May of 2008, the median salary for an automobile technician turned out to be $16.88 which would equate out to roughly $32,409.60 for a yearly salary on a full time work schedule. Although the salary ranges for an automobile technician tend to be quite similar, it’s interesting to take a look at what a person can earn in this field depending on their employer. For example, an auto technician that works for the government can earn around $38,534.40, while a person that works in an automotive parts, accessories, and tire store can expect a figure around $28,608 a year. This equates out to around $14.90 per hour.
Of course, the employer has a lot to do with what an auto technician can expect to earn, but the specific title that the technician holds can also dictate the salary range. For example, an automobile technician might specialize in school bus repair which can yield a whopping $37,000 a year. Another good example of auto technician job -specific salaries is a person’s particular level in the company. For instance, a master automobile technician can expect to earn around $55,000 and even more. Senior technicians and those in management can also expect to learn more than someone who is just starting out at entry level.
Location is also a big factor in determining what an automobile technician will yield in earnings at the end of the year. Generally, states with higher employment rates in the automobile technician category tend to yield higher annual wages for workers. For example, California remains to be the state with the highest employment rate for automobile technician, and the mean wage for these types of workers averages out to around $42,690. On the other hand, Pennsylvania is the fifth state in line for the highest employment rate in this field, and its annual mean wage currently stands at roughly $35,810.
There are many different factors to consider when trying to determine the wage/salary of an automobile technician. However, identifying skill level, location and experience can easily provide an educated estimate of what a person can expect to make.
Published November 10, 2011 | A pharmacy technician, or pharmacy technologist, works in a pharmacy. The job of a pharmacy technician is different than that of a pharmacist. They work under the supervision of a pharmacist and do technical work in a pharmacy. You will find a lot of pharmacy technologists in small pharmacies, hospitals and other places that provide medication. Since there will always be a need for medical supplies, there are a lot of jobs available for pharmacy technicians. Aside from pharmacies and hospitals, pharmacy technicians can also work at insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and nursing facilities.
Salaries for a pharmacy technician vary by geographical location. For instance, a bigger salary awaits those who work in big cities. The type of facility where a technician works is also a contributing factor that affects the salary of a pharmacy technologist. Working in a pharmacy often means a lower salary when compared to working in a bigger hospital. Educational attainment is another factor affecting the job and salary of a pharmacy technician. If you have attained a higher level of education, you will likely get a higher salary. Rewarding compensation awaits those with a number of years of experience. This means that the more experience a technologist has, the higher their pay will be.
For new technicians, the average expected salary is around $25,000. That figure is sure to increase after a number of years of experience. After working for a few years, this can reach up to $30,000 and can increase even more after 10 to 15 years of work experience. The average salary of a pharmacy technician who has worked for more than 10 years can be over $40,000 per year. Working on an hourly basis differs according to the scope of work that the pharmacy technologist performs. It also varies according to the number of years of work experience that a person has and if they have attended pharmacy technician school.
The average starting salary for those who have less experience is about $9.00 per hour at a pharmacy while other locations, such as bigger hospitals and pharmacies, can offer $11.00 per hour. For those with many years of experience, an hourly rate of $17.00 is about average for technicians who are competent in the field. Depending on their rank, a pharmacy technician supervisor may receive a salary of between $40,000 and $50,000 a year. In addition, training and certifications can also be an additional factor in getting higher pay.
Published November 8, 2011 | Working as a medical transcriptionist can be both challenging and rewarding. Some will find employment that allows them to work entirely from home. Others will work in an in-house capacity at a hospital or other health care facility. Potential salaries for medical transcriptionists vary greatly depending upon a number of factors.
As with most professions the salary earned by a medical transcriptionist will typically be higher in large, urban centers than they are in smaller, suburban settings. Additionally, the salary a medical transcriptionist commands will also depend upon the level of education and experience they have achieved. The transcriptionist who has years of experience and plenty of education will find that they have many options for maximizing their earning potential.
Salaries for medical transcriptionists may be paid on an hourly basis or on a line by line basis. It depends on the medical transcription job. In the first scenario the transcriptionist is paid for the number of hours they work. This may include extra pay for holidays, evenings, weekends and overtime. In the second scenario the transcriptionist is paid by the number of lines of transcription they complete. The opportunity to earn extra money based on when the transcription is completed, such as on a holiday, is usually not available when the transcriptionist is being paid by the line.
Many transcriptionists are able to work entirely from home. The most common arrangement for these workers is to be paid on a per line basis. Being paid by the number of lines completed allows the worker to earn as much or as little as necessary. This can be an advantageous position for the transcriptionist as they are free to be relatively flexible with their hours and are available to the members of their household when necessary. However, some find that working from home can be distracting and complicate their responsibilities. This can lead to fewer completed lines and consequently smaller paychecks.
The average medical transcriptionist will earn between $30,000 and $40,000 per year. It is possible to earn as much as $60,000 or $70,000 per year if the transcriptionist is diligent and ambitious. Such salaries at the higher end are more likely to be achieved when the transcriptionist is working in-house as opposed to working in their own home. In general medical transcriptionists earn a salary that is adequate for paying the monthly bills and ensuring their family’s security. Workers for this challenging profession are much in demand.