Career Advice for 68P Radiologist Technician

Cpl Joseph Herring — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 14:17:34 -0500

My wife is currently in 68P Radiology Specialist AIT at Fort Sam Houston. Obviously being anew soldier, she does not know if she will reenlist after her first enlistment is up or not. My question is to all personnel who started out as a radiology specialist in the Army or comparable Rate/AFSC/MOS in another branch. What did you think about the training and job experience you obtained in the service? Were you able to find good civilian employment in the same field after leaving the service or do you wish you had stayed in? I have heard that it is possible to receive specialty training such as nuclear medicine after completing AIT and I would love to hear from those people as well. Thank you all for taking the time to read this and/or respond.

Response by SFC Dave Joslin made Nov 17 at 2014 7:33 PM

SFC Dave Joslin — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 19:33:47 -0500

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!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2014 4:37 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 16:37:27 -0500

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.

Response by SSG William Zopff III made Oct 21 at 2015 5:44 PM

SSG William Zopff III — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 17:44:33 -0400

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.....

Response by PO3 Maria Flasher made Oct 29 at 2015 9:32 AM

PO3 Maria Flasher — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 09:32:55 -0400

Having served in the Navy as a cook and transitioned into the medical field as a civilian I can certainly say that the civilian world has an exceptionally high rate of demand for anything medical field related at this time with projected job growth into the next 20 or 30 years. If she is looking to get out, it would be in her best interest to look into getting accredited/certified or even to expand into sonography using her MGIB. Depending on her category preferences she might even have the ability to specialize in her field to help a specific demographic. I would definitely tell her to look into first finding a position working within the military sector as a civilian. The pay add benefits tend to be better and, assuming that you are still active duty, if you get stationed somewhere else they are more likely to help her find a position at your next duty station in a similar situation (i.e. cardiology, L&D, ER/ET, etc.).

Response by PFC L. Richard Beard made Feb 12 at 2018 4:25 PM

PFC L. Richard Beard — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 16:25:05 -0500

The military’s Tri-Service Radiography Program is presented in two phases. Phase 1 for all services is conducted at the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Phase 2 is conducted at various locations throughout the United States.

Graduates of the JRCERT-accredited program will earn their respective military occupation code (AF=4ROX1, Navy=8452, and Army=68P) and are eligible to apply for ARRT certification and registration. The METC Program Director requires official copies of college transcripts demonstrating an associate or higher degree obtained from an academic institution accredited by an agency recognized by ARRT.
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is the organization that provide the natioanl exams for civilians to be Registered Radiolocal Technoabout militarylogist. Go to this web site to see about requirements. Also send them an email or call them to ask questions. Most military medical training does not let us do much with our training. You are in luck with this specialty.

Former Army Medic