Occupation Profile for Radiologic Technicians

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Maintain and use equipment and supplies necessary to demonstrate portions of the human body on x-ray film or fluoroscopic screen for diagnostic purposes.

Signficant Points

  • Employment is projected to grow faster than average, and job opportunities are expected to be favorable.
  • Formal training programs in radiography are offered in hospitals, colleges and universities, and less frequently at vocational-technical institutes; range in length from 1 to 4 years; and lead to a certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree.
  • Although hospitals will remain the primary employer, a number of new jobs will be found in physicians’ offices and diagnostic imaging centers.
 

Tasks

  • Core — Use beam-restrictive devices and patient-shielding techniques to minimize radiation exposure to patient and staff.
  • Core — Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician.
  • Core — Determine patients' x-ray needs by reading requests or instructions from physicians.
  • Core — Make exposures necessary for the requested procedures, rejecting and repeating work that does not meet established standards.
  • Core — Position x-ray equipment and adjust controls to set exposure factors, such as time and distance.

Activities

  • Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.