Staff and Physicians
Is my technologist / sonographer qualified?

Technologist is a general reference term, which includes x-ray, mammography, CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, ultrasound and other technicians. Each area of specialty has its own standards/qualifications for registry/certification and requirements for continuing medical education. Technologists employed by TRA Medical Imaging, Tacoma Magnetic Imaging and Union Avenue Open MRI meet or exceed the minimum standards described below.

An x-ray technologist is considered qualified with registration by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Registry requires graduation from a two-year accredited school, to include classroom academics, x-ray internship in a clinical setting and written examination.

Mammography, CT and MRI require prior ARRT certification and advanced cross training in a clinical setting and registry/certification in the specialty.

Nuclear medicine registry requires completion of a four-year science degree program, which includes a one-year nuclear medicine internship in a clinical setting and Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board examination.

TRA Medical Imaging considers ultrasound technologists (sonographers) to be qualified once the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) certifies them. Sonographers complete a two- to four-year ultrasound degree program including one-year ultrasound internship, which is generally performed in a hospital.

Completion of an ultrasound internship makes a sonographer “registry eligible.” To become certified, sonographers must complete a series of registry examinations. There are three categories, which a sonographer may specialize in; general/obstetrical gynecology (OB-Gyn), vascular and cardiac.