Career Advice for 68P Radiologist Technician

My advice for your wife would be to first seek the ARRT Accreditation. The Army does not require this of her to graduate AIT, but will reimburse her for the registry fees once she successfully completes the registry process. Second, she needs to progress through the "ranks" of radiology to make herself more marketable; earning qualifications in CT, MRI, or even as a Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT). The more modalities that she is qualified to work on the more marketable she will be and the higher the salary that she can demand. As a Radiology practice Director in the private sector, I always look for cross-functional technologists to add to my team. Third, with the permission from the chain of command, she needs to try and "moon-light" when available at local facilities. Learning civilian practice standards and being familiar with as many varying systems as possible will also help her be more marketable (the extra cash isn't too bad either). Finally, she needs to network, network, and then network some more! Having a wide net to cast when her time in the service comes to a close will allow her the best opportunity at a successful transition! I hope this helps!

I did 22.5 years as first a 91P, then a 68P, it was the best job I ever had. Working towards earning multiple modalities is the way to go. Unless training in CT and MRI can be learned on the job at a MEDDAC or MEDCEN, she will need to attend a course of study on her own time. Then she will need to find a location (hospital) to complete the required number procedures to be eligible for another modality exam. Modalities in US or Nuclear Medicine also require a school, hopefully she can access the an Army taught course. As I moved in my career from a MEDCEN, to a ARMY CLINIC, to the Field Combat Support Hospitals; I saw little opportunities to advance into modalities internally (that's why I recommend a civilian school, start early, don't wait). I couldn't get any of those schools, so I used TA to complete my Bachelors in Business Administration while on active duty, which helped me land my current job as a Access Center Manger. Best Wishes.....

I can say as a medical professional (albeit a veterinary surgical nurse) and having dated a radiologist for a couple years, civilian radiologists are in demand. I have experienced the radiology department in an Army hospital, and the quality of the equipment and personnel is on par with what I have observed with my prior girlfriend. I think your wife's experience will be an asset in a job search. Prior military may also give her an edge if she looks for government jobs (such as VA hospital). If she does not remain in the military, she really would do well with a government hospital job because government service time is additive and can combine with her military time for retirement purposes.