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Career Details

29-2034.00 - Radiologic Technologists and Technicians


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.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
197,000
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
214,200
Estimate
Change in Employment
+17,200
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+8.7%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • 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.
Generic
  • 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.
Supplemental
  • Prepare contrast material, radiopharmaceuticals, or anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under the direction of a radiologist.
  • 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.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 86%
    Knowledge 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 Dentistry
  • 76%
    Knowledge 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 Language
  • 75%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 68%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Education and Training
  • 67%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Physics
  • 64%
    Knowledge 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.
 Clerical
  • 63%
    Knowledge 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.
 Psychology
  • 63%
    Knowledge 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.
 Public Safety and Security
  • 61%
    Knowledge 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.
 Biology
  • 60%
    Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
 Mathematics
  • 60%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Administration and Management
  • 53%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Mechanical
  • 50%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Medical imaging processing equipment and supplies
  • Automatic x ray film processors
  • Film processing equipment
  • Portable film processors
  • Self-contained film processors
  • Tabletop film processors
  • X ray film processors
 Medical radiological positioning aids
  • Compression bands
  • Cushions
  • Patient immobilization devices
  • Patient immobilizing devices
  • Sandbags
  • Straps
 Medical computed tomography CT or CAT systems and related products
  • Computed tomography CT audio and visual intercommunication systems
  • Computed tomography CT scanners
  • High-speed multislice computed tomography CT scanners
  • Positron emission tomography/computed tomography PET/CT scanners
 Medical diagnostic x ray products
  • Cones
  • Cylinders
  • Diaphragms
  • Digital transmission densitometers
  • Film cassettes
  • Filters
  • Fluoroscopes
  • Grids
  • Image intensifiers
  • Intensifying screens
  • Mobile image amplifier C-arms
  • Portable densitometers
  • Portable x ray machines
  • Power injectors
  • Rapid film changers
  • Stationary x ray equipment
  • X ray beam restriction devices
  • X ray bone densitometers
  • X ray calipers
  • X ray filters
  • X ray image intensifier television systems
  • X ray imaging charge-coupled device CCD cameras
  • X ray machines
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Notebook computers
  • Personal computers
  • Tablet computers
 Medical ultrasound and doppler and echo imaging products
  • Diagnostic ultrasound equipment
  • Portable ultrasound scanners
 Medical radiological imaging information and archiving products
  • Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine DICOM imaging equipment
  • Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine DICOM system equipment
  • Image capturing and transmission systems
  • Image storage systems
  • Picture archiving and communication systems PACS
  • Scan converters
 Blood pressure units and related products
  • Electronic blood pressure units
  • Mercury blood pressure units
 Injection and aspiration needles and accessories
  • Hypodermic needles
  • Intramuscular needles
  • Subcutaneous hypodermic needles
  • Venipuncture needles
 Syringes and accessories
  • Intravenous IV syringes
  • Syringes
 Medical radiological shielding and protection products
  • Lead shields/shielding equipment
  • Radiation protection devices
 Medical magnetic resonance imaging MRI products
  • Magnetic resonance imaging MRI audio and visual intercommunication systems
  • Medical magnetic resonance imaging MRI equipment
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Data management and query software
  • Data entry softwareHOT
  • Diagnostic and procedural coding software
  • Information systems integration software
  • Structured data entry software
 Industry specific software
  • Diagnostic image review software
  • Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine DICOM software/modality management software
  • Electronic medical record EMR software
  • Film processor tracking and management software
  • GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
  • GE Healthcare ViewPoint Solutions
  • Information management subsystem software
  • Internet or intranet image distribution software
  • Medical condition coding softwareHOT
  • Medical procedure coding software
  • Medical software
  • MEDITECH softwareHOT
  • Practice management software PMS
  • Virtual reality computed tomography CT imaging software
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Specialty
 Advanced
 Unknown
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Central Virginia Community College
Piedmont Virginia Community College