(Limited scope)... xray tech What does that mean?

looking for schools/institutes and I keep seeing limited scope half of the places i look at...? any idea?

It means you are limited in what you can do - usually just x-raying extremities or chests. You get much less money and will have a hard time finding a job. I don't recommend it.

You can find accredited schools here: http://arrt.org/index.html?content=http:... Choose "Radiography" and go down the list to find your state.

A rgistered radiologic technologist is someone who is licensed to do all radiologic exams. This is everything from a chest x-ray to fluoroscopy to portable examinations in the ICU and the surgical department. We are also able to cross train into and earn additional licenses in mammography, CT scans or angiography (heart caths).

A radiologic technician is a person who has a limited permit. This means that they are licensed to do ONLY certain exams. You can be licensed to only x-ray extremities, for example. It is hard to find a job with a limited license, because, well, you are limited in what you can do. Most employers want a person working for them who can do everything. Most limited permit holder work in orthopedic doctor's offices. They do make less money than a fully licensed RT.

In order to become a registered RT, you must attend an accredited school. There are many schools in many states where you can get trained to be a radiologic technologist (the proper term for a x-ray tech). You can attend a hospital based program (and earn a certificate), a 2 year college program (AS degree), and even a 4 year college program (BS degree). The hospital based programs are the least expensive, and honestly, I think the education received there is superior. Once you graduate and take your registry exam, no future employer is going to care what type of educational program you went through. All they care about is your license. You can find an accredited RT program at this site. Just search "radiography" and your state...links are provided which will give you additional information on each program (cost, duration of program, contact person):

http://www.jrcert.org/cert/Search.jsp

The American Society of Radiological Technologists just did a large salary survey. You can see how much you could expect to make in your state here:

https://www.asrt.org/media/pdf/research/...

The student area of the ASRT also has good information for those looking to enter a radiologic technology program:

https://www.asrt.org/Content/educators/_...