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Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

  • Bright Outlook
  • Rapid Growth

Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes. Includes radiologic technologists and technicians who specialize in other scanning modalities.

What you’d do

  • Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.
  • Process exposed radiographs using film processors or computer generated methods.
  • 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.
  • Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports.
  • Prepare contrast material, radiopharmaceuticals, or anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under the direction of a radiologist.
  • Complete quality control activities, monitor equipment operation, and report malfunctioning equipment to supervisor.
  • Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician.
  • Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes.

Skills that matter

  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Service Orientation
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking

How to get there

Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

Also called

  • CT Tech (Computed Tomography Technologist)
  • Multimodality Technologist
  • RT (Radiologic Technologist)
  • X-Ray Tech (X-Ray Technologist)
  • Mammographer
  • Radiographer

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