1. Home
  2. Careers
  3. Radiologic Technologists And Technicians
  4. Required Skills Responsibilities Activities

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians Occupation Detailed Description

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

The main tasks and work activities of Radiologic Technologists and Technicians are to check quality of diagnostic images, verify that medical activities or operations meet standards, explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members, monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities. In general, for the Radiologic Technologists and Technicians, speaking, active Listening, reading Comprehension, writing and other 12 skills are required.
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians jobs.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
0.00%
Post-Secondary Certificate
23.53%
Some College Courses
4.08%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
63.08%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
9.31%

Tasks and Work Activities of Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

  • Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes.
  • Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff.
  • Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.
  • Operate or oversee operation of radiologic or magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes.
  • Position and immobilize patient on examining table.
  • Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination.
  • Key commands and data into computer to document and specify scan sequences, adjust transmitters and receivers, or photograph certain images.
  • Monitor video display of area being scanned and adjust density or contrast to improve picture quality.
  • Monitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician.
  • Set up examination rooms, ensuring that all necessary equipment is ready.
  • Prepare and administer oral or injected contrast media to patients.
  • Take thorough and accurate patient medical histories.
  • Remove and process film.
  • Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports.
  • Coordinate work with clerical personnel or other technologists.
  • Demonstrate new equipment, procedures, or techniques to staff and provide technical assistance.
  • Provide assistance in dressing or changing seriously ill, injured, or disabled patients.
  • Measure thickness of section to be radiographed, using instruments similar to measuring tapes.
  • Operate fluoroscope to aid physician to view and guide wire or catheter through blood vessels to area of interest.
  • Assign duties to radiologic staff to maintain patient flows and achieve production goals.
  • Assisting and Caring for OthersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the PublicPerforming for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Check quality of diagnostic images.
  • Verify that medical activities or operations meet standards.
  • Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
  • Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
  • Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
  • Position patients for treatment or examination.
  • Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.
  • Enter patient or treatment data into computers.
  • Monitor video displays of medical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
  • Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
  • Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
  • Administer medical substances for imaging or other procedures.
  • Prepare medications or medical solutions.
  • Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
  • Process x-rays or other medical images.
  • Record patient medical histories.
  • Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities.
  • Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
  • Train medical providers.
  • Assist patients with hygiene or daily living activities.

Skills and Abilities for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active ListeningGiving 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.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Service OrientationActively looking for ways to help people.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Static StrengthThe ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Automated external defibrillators AED or hard paddlese.g. Automated defibrillators
  • Medical x ray darkroom equipment or suppliese.g. Automatic x ray film processors
  • X ray diffraction equipmente.g. Collimators
  • Medical radiological positioning aids for general radiological usee.g. Compression bands
  • Medical computed tomography CT or CAT 3 dimensional system componentse.g. Computed tomography CT audio and visual intercommunication systems
  • Medical computed tomography CT or CAT scanners or tubese.g. Computed tomography CT scanners
  • Radiographic locatorse.g. Cones
  • Medical radiological positioning aids for general radiological usee.g. Cushions
  • Radiographic locatorse.g. Cylinders
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Medical ultrasound or doppler or pulse echo or echography units for general diagnostic usee.g. Diagnostic ultrasound equipment
  • Radiographic locatorse.g. Diaphragms
  • Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine DICOM standard system equipmente.g. Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine DICOM system equipment
  • X ray bone densitometerse.g. Digital transmission densitometers
  • Electrocardiography EKG unitse.g. Electrocardiography EKG units
  • Electronic blood pressure unitse.g. Electronic blood pressure units
  • Enema kits or accessoriese.g. Enema equipment
  • Medical x ray film or cassettee.g. Film cassettes
  • Medical imaging wet darkroom or daylight processorse.g. Film processing equipment
  • Medical x ray apparatus filterse.g. Filters
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Medicine and DentistryKnowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • PhysicsKnowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
  • ClericalKnowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • PsychologyKnowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  • BiologyKnowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.