Hear From Jennifer Carlson, Radiography Educator, Pima Medical Institute
On this episode of Voices of Vital Care, host Nohelani Graf sits down with Jennifer Carlson, a Radiography associate degree program director at Pima Medical Institute’s Houston campus. With 20+ years in the field and 13 years teaching, Carlson has spent her career helping students see radiography as more than pushing buttons. It is a blend of science, art and patient care.
Carlson shares what draws people to this profession, how she moved from patient care to the classroom, and why she sees herself as a stepping stone for students headed toward specialties like CT, MRI or interventional radiology. If you have ever wondered what life as a radiologic technologist looks like, this episode is for you.
Ask most people what a radiologic technologist does, and you’ll likely hear “they take X-rays.” Jennifer Carlson has heard that assumption plenty of times from incoming students, and she’s quick to correct it. The job asks for far more clinical knowledge than most people realize before they ever set foot in a classroom.
“One of the most common misconceptions about our field is that we are button pushers, that we just take images. There’s actually a lot of information we do need to know. We need to have an understanding of pathology, positioning and radiation safety to get it right.”
-Jennifer Carlson, Radiography Program Director, Pima Medical Institute
That mix of technical precision and human connection is what makes radiography stand out among allied health careers. Each patient’s body, condition and comfort level can be a little different, while every image has to meet a clinical standard. Getting there takes time, and Carlson tells students exactly what to expect on the way.
“You have to kind of think of it as being a new language. You’ve got to learn baby steps, the basic words first, and at first you’re not going to understand any of what’s happening around you. But there will come a day, and it’s different for everybody, when it starts clicking, and all the work pays off.”
-Jennifer Carlson, Radiography Program Director, Pima Medical Institute
That breakthrough is exactly what the Radiography associate degree program prepares students for. It’s proof that persistence, not natural talent, is what carries most students through the program and their career.
In this episode, you will learn:
- Why radiologic technologists, also known as a radiographers, combine science, art and patient care in every exam
- What it takes to build confidence as a radiography student, from lab practice with classmates to full clinical rotations
- Which specialties, including CT, MRI and interventional radiology, a career in radiography can lead toward
- What current radiation safety practices, including the ALARA principle, look like in daily practice
- Why empathy and adaptability matter as much as technical skill on a hard day
- What campus life and hands-on training look like as a student in the Radiography associate degree program
- Where clinical externships fit into the path from classroom to career
- Who tends to thrive in a radiologic technology career
Who this episode is for: Anyone curious about a hands-on health care career that blends science, patient care and problem-solving, whether exploring allied health for the first time or considering a switch into medical imaging.
The opinions expressed in the podcasts are not those of Pima Medical Institute.
Watch Episode 2: Behind the Image: The Story of Radiography
Beyond the Episode
Career demand for radiologic technologists remains strong as imaging plays a growing role in diagnosing an aging population. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, radiologic and MRI technologists earned a median annual wage of $77,660 in 2024, with employment projected to grow five percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations.* As Carlson describes, that growth reflects the many directions a radiography career can take, from x-ray into CT, MRI, mammography or the cardiac cath lab, giving graduates room to grow without starting over in a new field.
Ready to learn more? Learn how to apply or reach out to the Pima Medical Institute admissions team to find out if the Radiography associate degree program is the right fit for you.
