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Arkansas State Requirements:

CS 1043 Introduction to Computers OR CIT 1503 Microcomputer Applications	3 hours
ENG 1003 Composition I	3 hours
ENG 1013 Composition II	3 hours
HIST 2763 United States History To 1876 OR HIST 2773 United States History From1876 OR POSC 2103 Introduction To American Government	3 hours
MATH 1023 College Algebra OR Higher Level Math Course	3 hours
PSY 2013 Introduction To Psychology	3 hours
ZOOL 2003 Human Anatomy & Physiology I AND ZOOL 2001 Lab For Human Anatomy & Physiology	4 hours
Total AAS General Education Courses Gen. Ed. Requirements	22 hours

How is Chemistry Involved in being an X-ray Technician?

An X-ray tech involves a lot of chemistry that you would never expect . When you are giving

someone an X-ray you need to know the frequency and how often they have had x-rays.

This is because of radiation's half life. The type of radiation used in x-rays is electromagnetic

radiation. Its half life is relatively long and large amounts can cause cancer. This is because

when it enters your body it interacts with some of the body cells and breaks them down, in the

process forming free radicals. Free radicals in turn break down other molecules in a continual

cycle until they reach the termination stage. Chemistry is also involved in the fact that the way

the actual x-rays reflect in and through bones. X-rays are used to display bones, which is made

of calcium or Ca. You have to know the chemical properties of any substance you have to

x-ray.

For information about application to the department you can follow this link: Arkansas State Application Process

Interview with Jodi Carter X-ray Technician 10-16-2007:

What do you like about your Job? Being able to help people

Where do you work? Waco, Texas in the Family Health Center

A lot of people think x-ray tech's are just "button pushers" what is really involved? You actually have physical patients that you have to place in the proper position when a lot of people cannot bend the "required way" you have to be able to adapt. You have to have different techniques, knowing how to deal with infants and for example people who are extremely overweight, and also different heights are taken into effect.

What are some opportunities for advancement? in your department you have lead supervisor there is also an advancement opportunity to advance to a interventional technician. You also have to be an x-ray tech to do CAT scans.

What is the stability of your job? the stability is great, i work in a family clinic and we are always looking for new x-ray techs, and also i know that hospitals are always in great need of x-ray techs

What are some dislikes? When you first start off in your career, after you complete radiological school, you are at the bottom of the totem pole per say. When I first started off I had to work the worst hours. I worked every weekend and was always on call. I also prefer working at a family clinic because hospitals are in my opinion a lot more "germy."

Finally how is chemistry involved in your job? Chemistry is actually involved in places people would never expect. You have to take into account the amount of radiation which a person can have in their lifetime. Large amounts of radiation can cause cancer. Since radiation has a relatively long half-life in comparison with other substances on earth, you are pretty much stuck with it your entire life.