Moving up the radiology ladder usually comes with experience and dedication. Over time, you learn more skills and become more valuable.
Most hospital systems have a career ladder, although they may call it by another name.
The most common that I have seen is a tiered system that rewards technologists for staying loyal to the company through the years.
What is the Difference between a Rad Tech I, Tech II & Tech III?
Here are some examples to show you the differences between different Tech levels. It doesn’t mean your employer has the exact same requirements.
These job descriptions, from 2017, show the different requirements at one particular hospital system.
Nevertheless, it should give you a good idea of what your employer might come to expect from you before moving you “up the ladder.”
The following are typical Rad Tech and MRi Tech Job Descriptions. I have included page 2 on the first few but omitted them thereafter as they are very similar for all job descriptions.
Rad Tech I, II, and III followed by MRI Tech I, II, and II
Radiologic Technologist I
Radiologic Technologist II
Radiologic Technologist III
MRI Technologist I
MRI Technologist II
MRI Technologist III
An interesting call-out in these descriptions is the insertion of “Leads and Mentors Others.”
This is how the employer gets OUT of paying extra for Clinical Instructors. If you Job Description says you have to teach others, then you don’t get any extra pay for being the Clinical Instructor for the Xray students.
Tech I’s do not usually have this designation since you don’t want new employees (typically) teaching students. The new hires need time to get on their own feet and start gaining experience.
Tech IIs and IIIs are the ones who began to share their knowledge. If you are lucky, your employers will reward you for doing so.
Also of note, “Other Duties as Assigned” is how employers cover their bases when they want to give employees new job duties that are NOT outlined in the Job Description.
“Assist Providers during Procedures” are a hidden way that you get sent into the Interventional lab with no extra pay. Yes, you need special training for IR procedures.
But should you be in a smaller facility, where all techs are crosstrained in multi-modalities, you could be trained in IR and sent in under the Radiologic Technologist II or III Job Description.
Caveat Emptor
Ask for Job Descriptions in Your Interview
It is not bad juju to ask for written Job Descriptions in your interview. It is so RARE though that you might need to make the request AHEAD of your interview to make sure the employees interviewing you bring them to the table.
You can look for the features discussed by requesting them for the interview. Do you want to work somewhere that doesn’t pay extra for Clinical Instructors?
