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 13%, 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 $51,780, with a mean hourly wage of $24.90.

While this is significantly lower than the current national mean annual salary, which is about $60,320, 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 $38,180 and high ranges around $67,900.

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 37 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

Other options out-of-state for future X-Ray technologists 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:

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.

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 Bachelor’s degree in Health Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography or Nuclear Medicine Technology.
http://www.allencollege.edu/associate-of-science-in-radiography.aspx

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/academics/health/radtech.php

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.
https://www.mchs.edu/Academics/Academic-Programs/Radiologic-Technologyhttp://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/xrayschool

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) 353-8388
Program Name: Radiologic Technology
Program Type: Bachelor of Science
Duration: 33 months
Tuition Fees: $18,829.25 Resident, $29,216.75 Non-Resident
https://medicine.uiowa.edu/radsci/programs/radiologic-technology