Radiologic Technologist and Technician

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

A radiologic technician could...

Overview Listen to this section

Would you like working with technology, but also with people? As a radiological technician or technologist you can use different medical equipment to take medical pictures. You work with the patient to make them feel comfortable. You also work with medical technology to make sure you are positioning the patient and operating the machine correctly. A radiological technician or technologist is a great hands-on job to work with medical technology and patients!

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Radiologic Technologist and Technician?

1. Active Listening: ? Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
2. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.
3. Reading Comprehension: ? Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
4. Social Perceptiveness: ? Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
5. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

6. Writing: ? Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
7. Operation and Control: ? Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
8. Monitoring: ? Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
9. Service Orientation: ? Actively looking for ways to help people.
10. Judgment and Decision Making: ? Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Radiologic Technologist and Technician might do:

• Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes.
• Operate or oversee operation of radiologic or magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes.
• Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician.
• Process exposed radiographs using film processors or computer generated methods.
• Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff.
• Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination.
• Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.
• Determine patients' x-ray needs by reading requests or instructions from physicians.
• Key commands and data into computer to document and specify scan sequences, adjust transmitters and receivers, or photograph certain images.
• Take thorough and accurate patient medical histories.
• Make exposures necessary for the requested procedures, rejecting and repeating work that does not meet established standards.
• Set up examination rooms, ensuring that all necessary equipment is ready.
• Operate digital picture archiving communications systems.
• Transport patients to or from exam rooms.
• Monitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician.
• Provide assistance to physicians or other technologists in the performance of more complex procedures.
• Operate mobile x-ray equipment in operating room, emergency room, or at patient's bedside.
• Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports.
• Perform procedures, such as linear tomography, mammography, sonograms, joint and cyst aspirations, routine contrast studies, routine fluoroscopy, or examinations of the head, trunk, or extremities under supervision of physician.
• Provide assistance in dressing or changing seriously ill, injured, or disabled patients.
• Complete quality control activities, monitor equipment operation, and report malfunctioning equipment to supervisor.
• Maintain a current file of examination protocols.
• Perform general administrative tasks, such as answering phones, scheduling patient appointments, or pulling and filing films.
• Assist with on-the-job training of new employees or students or provide input to supervisors regarding training performance.
• Coordinate work with clerical personnel or other technologists and technicians.
• Perform supervisory duties, such as developing departmental operating budget, coordinating purchases of supplies or equipment, or preparing work schedules.
• Provide students or other technicians and technologists with suggestions of additional views, alternate positioning, or improved techniques to ensure the images produced are of the highest quality.