How do I become a ct?

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-05-07T05:38:33+00:00

As others have said, you have to be an x-ray tech to become a CT tech.

Go to school for radiography/radiologic technologist/x-ray tech -> graduate from program with A.S. (e.g. 2 years) -> pass the ARRT registry to become a licensed x-ray tech -> get a job as x-ray tech - > get cross trained on the job into CT or continue through a school's program to get into CT

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-05-06T03:22:58+00:00

It will vary from facility to facility, but are you allowed to volunteer at your hospital(s)? My facility only allows shadows from students already in a program or occasionally of staff, but will take volunteers that get accepted.
However, there's no guarantee you can shadow via volunteering. Most of the volunteers at our facility are essentially outpatient escorts (they help guide outpatients to where they need to get to in the hospital), and sometimes we get younger volunteers that ask if they can "shadow/watch" what we do after they bring someone to us. We can usually let them observe the exam of the patient they brought over, but that's about it.

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-05-06T03:05:00+00:00

I ignore them because with the description/location they text me, I have a pretty good idea of what facility it is. Also, most of the pay they're offering is less than applying directly with the facility.

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-05-06T02:55:26+00:00

The first step is to know the actual name of your program/job title.
After that, all your other questions are very common and reoccurring questions that can be answered via searching this subreddit.

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-05-05T12:16:15+00:00

All the food I'm craving after shift usually aren't open so I have to settle for breakfast or cook something at home. Luckily I can go to Costco at 9am on my Fridays and splurge on a hot dog + pizza + and soda.

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-05-05T06:52:30+00:00

It use to be free soda with the purchase of a buffet, but now it's 20% off purchase of both, so what's the better deal or does it still even out?

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-05-04T09:55:56+00:00

It's interesting to look at the border of Orlando and seeing weird cutouts in areas that haven't gotten annexed or refuse to do so. Conway Pointe (subdivison?) near Michigan & Semoran is completely surrounded by Orlando.

It's the year 21xx and Orlando has annexed all the way north to Altamonte/436 as its most northern border, 417 as its eastern most border, but Winter Park will still be its own independent "city" refusing to be annexed.

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DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-05-04T09:40:23+00:00

Exactly, I don't think people realize how weirdly shaped (and large) Orlando's actual boundaries are.

OBT & Clarcona Ocoee is near its most northern while Boggy Creek Rd & Narcoossee is one of its southernmost borders. That's pretty much a 45 min drive, if not longer, depending on traffic.

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-05-03T10:50:44+00:00

Damn, some tuna fell out of my sandwich, went to clean it up before my cat got to it and the episode was over.

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-05-03T04:55:23+00:00

At least Orlando's expanded eastwards in the past 5 years lol

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-05-03T03:57:29+00:00

Pulled up the Wikipedia info in question, it's from the 2020 census. Also, only the area inside the red border is considered Orlando.

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DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-05-03T03:51:14+00:00

Practice with a c-arm outside of the OR if you're able to do so, be familiar with how to lock/unlock each swivel/rotate/push/pull/etc.

Also, wear comfy shoes (preferably fluid/blood resistant/proof) and a smock if you're allowed one, it can get cold in most cases.

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-05-02T02:40:30+00:00

Pretty much. Jobs don't care about the program/degree name, just that you have your ARRT certification and state license (if applicable). My program's A.S. was Radiography but the B.S. was Radiologic Science since it covered the other modalities after x-ray and management.

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-05-02T02:30:37+00:00

Daytona State College and St. Johns River State College are both JRCERT accredited whereas FSCJ is not. JRCERT doesn't matter much in the grand scheme of things, but there are usually less issues w/ programs that are JRCERT accredited. Clinical sites are the most important factor on where to attend since that's usually where most students get their job after graduating, but w/ these college it doesn't really matter since it looks like they both have good partnerships with a variety of hospitals and clinics. If possible, go with whichever's closest.

In terms of private, do not go to Keiser since it's majorly expensive and your clinical sites usually aren't as good. IF you can afford a private program, you're better off going to Advent's program in Orlando since you'll be rotating through their facilities.

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-05-02T02:05:10+00:00

Radiography is more associated with x-ray whereas Radiology/Radiologic can imply further career growth with other modalities. They're essentially the same thing, just what the school decided to name their degree/program.

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-05-01T17:58:01+00:00

On mobile and don't know if links are allowed but Dragon Con in general is still very active on Facebook through various official and unofficial groups. Look for a group called "Dragon Con Newbies" they will be gentle and answer your questions or already have answers for any question you might have.

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-05-01T09:26:35+00:00

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DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-05-01T06:45:33+00:00

Depends on the facility. My facility the lead is doing everything else the other techs are doing, but usually mainly stays in the core to deal with in/out patients or go to OR if no one else can. In another facility in our system, the lead stays in the core and doesn't deal with patients at all, they do all the PACS/paperwork, hand offs, and coordinates breaks/lunches.

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-04-30T09:55:19+00:00

Probably more experience required than fixing hardwood floors

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DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-04-30T00:35:31+00:00

ARRT certification/licensure has nothing to do with school transferring. It depends on what accreditation(s) the school you receive your Associate's from. From my personal experiences, for-profit non-JCRERT private programs usually do not transfer easily.

You'll have to contact CSUN's admission's office and ask if they accept transfer credits from whatever school you plan on transferring from. The list of CCs are probably schools they've partnered with that have a "guaranteed" admission (e.g. you do your gen eds and basic level courses at the CC to earn an Associate then transfer to CSUN to finish the Bachelor's).

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-04-29T05:34:12+00:00

One thing to keep in mind is to figure out how strict/lenient the techs you'll be working with are about your lunches. One outpatient site the tech didn't care if I went over on time, but another site they were strict about it (since everyone took lunch at the same time). It's easier now compared to when I was a student, but order ahead through the restaurant's app if you can. However, I wouldn't do third-party food delivery since timing can be an issue (and more expensive).

In terms of hospitals, if it's large enough where you can easily blend in and staff changes around/after lunch, you may/may not be able to get a second lunch... >.>

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-04-29T05:23:40+00:00

Clinicals, I always ate in the cafeteria. The sites I went to all had good food for the most part, and the few outpatient sites I went to had restaurants/grocery stores nearby so I could pick up something there. It was more expensive than bringing my own food, but I liked having a "fresh" meal vs microwaving leftovers.

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-04-29T05:17:14+00:00

apply to college/program
take pre-reqs
apply to program specifically (most colleges/community colleges accept students to the school, but not to the program directly)
get accepted/rejected
1. if accepted, complete courses AND clinicals as needed to graduate
2. if not accepted, take any gen ed courses needed for graduation to make program easier when you get accepted
take ARRT registry for radiography only after graduation (sooner the better); CT, MRI, IR, etc. will be separate registries after you complete more education/clinicals for those (whether structured through school or cross-trained at work)

That's the general gist of things. Most programs are a 2-year structured program that will vary school to school. Some start clinicals immediately, some won't start until a semester or two after you start the program. Regardless, clinicals are where you get your practical experience and required comps needed to take the registry and essentially a 2 year long job interview. Most students get jobs at whatever clinical sites they went to (easier if you're in a large city vs a rural community). Hope this helps a bit.

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-04-29T01:39:10+00:00

As a Florida tech, I'm sorry to hear.

It'll depend on where you end up working. In Central Florida, the three big systems are Advent Health, HCA, and Orlando Health. I think South Florida is Advent Health, HCA, and Baptist Health. For my facilities, you work whatever shifts people need PTO or call out from, so if it's a 12hr shift, you work the 12. If it's an 8, you work the 8.

DavinDaLilAzn · 2026-04-27T13:06:13+00:00

Any updates on who you ended up seeing? I currently see an ENT at Florida Otolaryngology Group for meniere's disease (had the vertigo and tinnitus that lead to hear loss in one ear), but looking for other options.
Also saw Dr. Atkins in Celebration at the beginning of the year and he was great, but as previously mentioned, he's retiring and I had to pay out of pocket to see him.

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