If you’re a radiologic technologist who wishes to transition into an indirect patient role, a bachelor’s degree in medical or diagnostic imaging can help expand your career into other healthcare jobs, including leadership.
With the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Diagnostic Imaging through UW Flexible Option, you can take that next step. You’ll develop and strengthen your skills in leadership, communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and ethics, all of which are necessary to succeed in a variety of healthcare settings.
What Jobs Can I Get With a Diagnostic Imaging Degree?
Current healthcare shortages due to an aging workforce and increased demand for healthcare professionals offer the perfect opportunity for radiologic technologists to transition to a new role.
Here are some examples of jobs that are a natural career progression for those with experience in radiology and x-ray:
1. PACS Administrator. In this role, administrators manage picture archiving and communication systems (PACS). Average salaries range from $95,068 nationally and $93,518 in Wisconsin.
2. Imaging Informatics Specialist, which focuses on optimizing imaging workflows, integrating imaging systems with Electronic Health Records (EHR), and ensuring data interoperability. Average salaries can top $117,282 nationally.
3. Radiologic Technologist Instructor, which involves preparing the next generation of technologists by helping them learn how to use imaging equipment, interact with patients and adhere to safety protocol. Some instructors may also be involved with curriculum development and attend faculty meetings. Average salaries are about $31 per hour.
4. Clinical applications specialist (CAS), which involves training healthcare professionals how to use new software and imaging equipment, according to Ziprecruiter. The average salary for a CAS is $46 per hour.
5. Medical or Diagnostic Imaging Manager, who oversees an organization’s diagnostic imaging policies and procedures. These managers may oversee departments within a clinic or medical facility, and have some business responsibilities such as processing payroll, negotiating with outside vendors, preparing cost estimates and training staff. Average salaries are about $53 per hour.
With a bachelor’s degree and relevant experience, radiologic technologists have a way to move forward in today’s job market if scanning full-time is no longer desirable.
Student Perspectives
Kara Winzenreid, a graduate of the UW-Milwaukee BS in Biomedical Sciences: Diagnostic Imaging leveraged her degree into a new role as a Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACs) administrator – a job she started even before finishing the program.
In Kara’s words, a PACs administrator “is the marriage of being in x-ray technology and the IT aspect.” After working in direct patient care for years, she was in need of a change – and liked the idea of working on the backend of the x-ray process. Kara had worked in diagnostic imaging for 15 years (two years in x-ray, 13 in ultrasound), and wanted a bachelor’s degree so she could transition smoothly into the PACs administrator role.
“People who have a background in x-ray are usually the best candidates to maintain that system because of that radiology background,” she adds.
Stacy Tauke, a student in the Diagnostic Imaging program, is hoping to continue scanning part-time while pursuing another career. Stacy has been working as a sonographer for the past 14 years, and while she loves it, she has been experiencing pain in her arm.
“A lot of people get hurt in our job,” she says. “Some of them are career-ending. You’re doing tiny, small movements constantly. It’s a lot of fine movements, and a lot of pushing. It’s all on your arm to your hand. The musculoskeletal injury risk is very, very high.”
Given the potential for further injury, Stacy wanted to get her bachelor’s degree to open up more opportunities.
“My plan, when I’m done, is to do something with the degree part time and scan part time. So that way, I keep my skills up with ultrasound. But I can start to develop other skills that would make me more marketable for a job outside of just doing ultrasound,” she says.
How Can I Get My Diagnostic Imaging Degree?
If you have an active registry with the following credentialing organizations, you can take the next step in your healthcare career with the Diagnostic Imaging degree, offered online through the UW Flexible Option:
- ARDMS (American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography)
- ARMRIT (American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists)
- ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists)
- CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing International) registry
The Diagnostic Imaging degree will prepare you for the next step of your career by improving your communication, problem-solving, analytical and critical thinking skills.
You can also pursue the Interprofessional Leadership in Healthcare Microcredential, available upon completion of two courses in the degree program plus one elective, or the Healthcare Informatics certificate by completing three required Diagnostic Imaging courses and three Information Studies courses that make up the certificate.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Contact us to learn more at flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu.