Jumpstart a New Career in Medical Imaging in Iowa

Iowa is following a national trend toward a rapid expansion of health care jobs as its population grows older. With a rising medical need, the demand for health technologists is expanding, making the next few years a prime time to pursue a career in radiological technology.

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In the next decade alone, these jobs are predicted to increase by 11%, and the state of Iowa, like the rest of the nation, is expected to have more job opportunities with competitive pay to qualified professionals.

Salaries for Radiologists

According to the US Bureau of Labor, the mean annual salary for a radiologic technologist in the state of Iowa is currently about $49,600, with a mean hourly wage of $23.85.

While this is significantly lower than the current national mean annual salary, which is about $58,520, Iowa’s lower-than-average cost of living, especially in its rural areas, helps keep expenses down. Like in other states, salaries of qualified technologists can vary, with current low ranges around $35,140 and high ranges around $66,070.

Influences on salaries include factors such as job title, employer and level of experience. More information on Rad Tech salaries in Iowa.

State Licensure Requirements

Radiological technology professionals are required to have an official license in order work. Each license covers a 1-year term and includes mandatory continuing education classes, which vary from 6 hours in 24 months to 12 hours every 12 months, depending on the type of radiological practice.

To fulfill state licensing requirements, Iowa joins 36 other US states in using the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exams.

Well-Known Colleges and Universities

The state of Iowa is currently home to 13 radiography programs that are accredited by the ARRT. These radiology programs may offer a Certificate, an Associate’s, a Bachelor’s in Radiology Technology, or a combination of the three.

  • Allen College, Waterloo
  • Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa
  • Iowa Central Community College (Fort Dodge Center), Fort Dodge
  • Mercy College of Health Sciences, Des Moines
  • Northeast Iowa Community College, Peosta
  • Scott Community College, Bettendorf
  • St. Luke’s College, Sioux City
  • University of Iowa, Iowa City

      • Some major hospitals in Iowa offer accredited radiography technology programs as well. All of these hospital programs currently only provide certificates to their graduates. However, many also partner with local college programs to offer dual credit and supervised clinical experience:

      • Covenant Medical Center, Waterloo
      • Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City
      • Mercy/St. Luke’s Hospitals, Cedar Rapids

          • Other Colleges to Consider

          Iowa is also home to the programs listed below, which are not currently accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiology Technology (JRCERT). Instead, most are accredited by other entities or have not yet received JRCERT-accredited status. These schools do, however, offer quality instruction in their programs:

          • Briar Cliff University, Sioux City
          • Eastern Iowa Community College District, Davenport
          • Northwest Iowa Community Center, Sheldon

              • Other options ou-of-state for future X-Ray technicians are Chicago, Illinois, Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska, Kansas City, MO and Minneapolis. Community colleges and public universities will charge higher tuition fees for non-resident students.

              Large Employers in Radiology

              There are about 120 hospitals in the state of Iowa, and all need to employ professional technologists. Many small healthcare facilities, such as clinics and urgent care centers, employ Rad Techs as well. Many of Iowa’s major hospitals are listed below:

              University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City
              200 Hawkins Drive
              Iowa City, IA 52242-1009
              (319) 356-1616

              St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids
              1026 ‘A’ Avenue NE
              Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-3026
              (319) 369-7211

              Mercy Medical Center, Des Moines
              1111 6th Avenue
              Des Moines, IA 50314-2611
              (515) 247-3121

              Alegent Health Mercy Hospital, Council Bluffs
              800 Mercy Drive
              Council Bluffs, IA 51503-3128
              (712) 328-5000

              Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, Bettendorf
              1227 East Rusholme Street
              Davenport, IA 52803-2498
              (563) 421-1000

              Allen Hospital, Waterloo
              1825 Logan Avenue
              Waterloo, IA 50703
              (319) 235-3629

              Blank Children’s Hospital, Des Moines

              1200 Pleasant Street

              Des Moines, IA 50309

              (515) 241-5437

              Professional Organizations

              For additional information, resources and networking, both professional radiologic technologists and students alike should consider joining the Iowa Society of Radiologic Technologists (ISRT). The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) provides additional information on education in the radiology field.

              Popular Programs

              JRCERT Accredited Radiography Programs in Iowa

              Allen College
              1825 Logan Avenue, Waterloo IA 50703
              Tel: (319) 226-2031
              Program Name: Radiography
              Program Type: Associate of Science
              Duration: 24 months
              Program Effectiveness:  Completion Rate: 100% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 95% Job Placement Rate: 98%
              Tuition Fees: $16,732 Resident and Non-resident
              Description: This 2 year program in Waterloo, IA provides many hands-on clinical experiences allowing practical application of knowledge. Credits from the associates degree in radiography can transfer to a Bachelors degree in Health Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography or Nuclear Medicine Technology.
              http://www.allencollege.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=68&Itemid=74

              Covenant Medical Center
              3421 West Ninth Street, Waterloo IA 50702
              Tel:
              Program Name: Radiography
              Program Type: Certificate
              Duration: 24 months
              Program Effectiveness:  Completion Rate: 91.7% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 89% Job Placement Rate: 100%
              Tuition Fees: $3,600 Resident and Non-resident
              http://www.wheatoniowa.org/services/school-of-radiography/default.aspx

              Indian Hills Community College
              525 Grandview Ave., Ottumwa IA 52501
              Tel: (641) 683-5316
              Program Name: Radiologic Technology
              Program Type: Associate of Science
              Duration: 24 months
              Program Effectiveness:  Completion Rate: 73% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 95% Job Placement Rate: 86%
              Tuition Fees: $7,486 Resident, $10,561 Non-resident
              Description: The program consists of general studies, radiologic courses, and clinical experiences that prepare students to become technologists.
              http://www.indianhills.edu/courses/health/radiologictech.html

              Iowa Central Community College (Fort Dodge Center)
              One Triton Circle, Fort Dodge IA 50501
              Tel:
              Program Name: Radiologic Technology
              Program Type: Associate of Science
              Duration: 22 months
              Program Effectiveness:  Completion Rate: 53% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 80% Job Placement Rate: 80%
              Tuition Fees: $5,670 Resident, $7,950 Non-resident
              http://www.iowacentral.edu/health_science/radiologic_technology/index.asp

              Mercy College of Health Sciences
              928 6th Avenue, Des Moines IA 50309-1239
              Tel: (515) 643-6616
              Program Name: Radiologic Technology
              Program Type: Associate of Science
              Duration: 23 months
              Program Effectiveness:  Completion Rate: 93% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 93.4% Job Placement Rate: 100%
              Tuition Fees: $21,690 Resident and Non-resident
              Description: Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines offers a six-semester associate degree program which includes classroom instruction, practice in skills lab and clinical experience in medical imaging.
              http://www.mchs.edu/acad_as_rad_tech.cfm

              Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa
              1000 4th Street, S.W., Mason City IA 50401
              Tel: (641) 428-6079
              Program Name: Radiologic Technology
              Program Type: Certificate
              Duration: 22.5 months
              Program Effectiveness:  Completion Rate: 80% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 100% Job Placement Rate: 100%
              Tuition Fees: $3,000 Resident and Non-resident
              Description: Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa has been offering a clinical training program for future X-ray technicians since 1947. There is also the option of completing an AS degree through North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) in Mason City. The 5 year average ARRT pass rate is 96%.
              http://www.mercynorthiowa.com/radiologictechnologyprogram

              Mercy/St. Luke’s Hospitals
              810 1st Avenue NE, 2nd Floor Rear, Cedar Rapids IA 52402
              Tel: (319) 369-7077
              Program Name: Radiologic Technology
              Program Type: Certificate
              Duration: 24 months
              Program Effectiveness:  Completion Rate: 91.6% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 98% Job Placement Rate: 100%
              Tuition Fees: $3,500 Resident and Non-resident
              Description: This is a 24-month full-time certificate program that provides instruction both in the classroom and the clinic.
              http://www.mercycare.org/services/imaging-services/school-of-radiologic-technology/

              Northeast Iowa Community College (Peosta Campus)
              8342 NICC Drive, Peosta IA 52068
              Tel: (563) 556-5110
              Program Name: Radiologic Technology
              Program Type: Associate of Science
              Duration: 24 months
              Program Effectiveness:  Completion Rate: 56% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 92% Job Placement Rate: 89%
              Tuition Fees: $6,077 Resident and Non-resident
              Description: Based in Peosta, Ia, NICC offers a 24 month continuous program leading to an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Radiologic Technology.
              https://www.nicc.edu/radtech/

              Scott Community College
              500 Belmont Road, Bettendorf IA 52722-5649
              Tel: (563) 441-4265
              Program Name: Radiology Technology
              Program Type: Associate of Science
              Duration: 24 months
              Program Effectiveness:  Completion Rate: 82% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 98.5% Job Placement Rate: 85%
              Tuition Fees: $5,600 Resident, $8,280 Non-resident
              Description: X-ray technologists use radiation to make images of internal organs of the body to aid radiologists in diagnosing a patient’s illness or injury. The RT program at Scott Community College in Bettendorf, IA, is a 2-year, full-time program admitting a limited number of students in the fall of every year. The program has an excellent 99.5% average first-time pass rate in the credentialing exams.
              http://www.eicc.edu/future-students/our-programs/radiology/index.aspx

              St. Luke’s College
              2800 Pierce Street, Sioux City IA 51104
              Tel: (712) 279-3734
              Program Name: Radiologic Technology
              Program Type: Associate Degree
              Duration: 21 months
              Program Effectiveness:  Completion Rate: 83% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 94% Job Placement Rate: 87%
              Tuition Fees: $13,500 Resident and Non-resident
              Description: St. Luke’s 5 semester program, offered in Sioux City, combines classroom teaching and learning with clinical experiences for individuals interested in this high tech profession.
              http://www.stlukescollege.edu/associate-of-science-in-radiologic-technology.aspx

              UnityPoint Health-Des Moines
              1200 Pleasant Street, Des Moines IA 50309-1453
              Tel: (515) 241-6880
              Program Name: Radiologic Technology
              Program Type: Certificate
              Duration: 24 months
              Program Effectiveness:  Completion Rate: 80% Credential Examination Pass Rate: 96% Job Placement Rate: 93%
              Tuition Fees: $3,900 Resident and Non-resident
              https://www.unitypoint.org/desmoines//radiologic-technology-certificate-program.aspx

              University of Iowa
              101 Jessup Hall, Iowa City IA 52242
              Tel: (319) 356-4332
              Program Name: Radiologic Technology
              Program Type: Bachelor of Science
              Duration: 33 months
              Tuition Fees: $28,000
              https://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/radsci/

              University of Iowa
              101 Jessup Hall, Iowa City IA 52242
              Tel: (319) 356-8286
              Program Name: Radiation Therapy
              Program Type: Bachelor of Science
              Duration: 24 months
              Tuition Fees: $3,950 Resident, $13,615 Non-resident
              https://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/radsci/