Radiologic Technologist Profile

Radiologic Technology is an allied health profession dedicated to preserving health, diagnosing, and curing disease. Under the direction of a radiologist, the technologist uses various forms of ionizing radiation to detect and/or treat disease.

Qualified radiologic technologists are needed in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, industry, and public health. Teachers and managers in radiologic technology are also in demand.

Duties

• Operating equipment used to produce medical images
• Caring for the ill and injured
• Positioning patients for diagnostic examinations
• Calculating proper exposure factors
• Processing images and assessing the diagnostic quality of the radiographs
• Assisting the radiologist with fluoroscopic examinations, treatments with ionizing radiation, diagnostic testing, angiographic procedures, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, mammography, and the use of radioactive isotopes

Abilities

Radiologic Technologists must be able to routinely:

• Lift more than 50 pounds
• Work with the arms above the head
• Push and pull
• Kneel or squat
• Work standing up
• Perform procedures on patients with health problems
• Assist patients on and off examination tables, wheelchairs or stretchers
• Communicate effectively with patients and staff
• Accurately align patient, X-ray equipment and image receptor
• Organize and accurately perform the individual steps of an x-ray examination in sequence
• Work nighttime, weekend, and holiday hours

Exposure

Radiologic Technologists must be constantly aware of the following occupational hazards:

• Exposure to communicable and infectious diseases
• Exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation
• Exposure to chemicals used in the processing of X-ray film
• Exposure to latex in protective gloves
• Exposure to blood, body fluids, and biomedical hazards

Please note, the information contained on this Web site is revised periodically and is subject to change without notice.