What does a diagnostic radiologic technologist do?
A diagnostic radiologic technologist specializes in operating radiologic equipment such as X-rays and CAT scans, vital in helping physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions among patients. They function under the supervision of a radiologist, and their responsibilities often include assisting patients by giving them instructions, answering inquiries, helping them understand the procedures, preparing them for what they are about to feel, and making them feel comfortable during the entire process. Moreover, a diagnostic radiologic technologist must maintain an active communication line with team members to deliver efficient and quick results.
Diagnostic radiologic technologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real diagnostic radiologic technologist resumes:
- Manage imaging databases and relate processes including image file compression and EMR implementations.
- Travel between client sites to perform c-arm imaging for surgery centers, pain management cases, and cadaver training labs.
- Demonstrate knowledge of radiation protection standards by selecting technical factors and making necessary exposures of patients.
- Perform limit in-house lab tests, perform EKG's.
- Register with A.R.R.T., member A.S.R.T, current CPR certification.
- Experience with film as well as DR and CR equipment.
- Coordinate radiology services and EKG's with nursing services and outpatient physician clinics.
- Understand all aspects of imaging equipment and imaging documentation software including PACS/RIS and CR.
- Develop solid understanding of imaging equipment and image documentation software, including PACS image archive and DICOM storage.
- Provide top fluoroscopic, portable, c-arm and diagnostic radiographs for radiologists and physicians in both a timely and professional manner.
- Utilize computed radiography and digital radiography systems and PACS medical imaging technology.
- Perform and complete diagnostic imaging studies on a variety of patients in the hospital and outpatient/ambulatory setting.
- Perform radiography in hospital rehabilitation setting
- Utilize digital fluoroscopy for biopsies, aspirations and drainages.
- Verify proper patient identification while maintaining HIPAA compliance, patient confidentiality, standard and universal precautions.
Diagnostic radiologic technologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 20% of Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists are proficient in Patients, ARRT, and Radiologic Technologist. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Interpersonal skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 20%
Performed and completed diagnostic imaging studies on a variety of patients in the hospital and outpatient/ambulatory setting.
- ARRT, 8%
Followed radiation safety measures and used radiation protection devices in accordance with ARRT standards and governmental regulations.
- Radiologic Technologist, 7%
Supervised and scheduling workload of the Radiologic Technologist staff.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 6%
Performed routine and advanced magnetic resonance imaging procedures to include neuro, orthopedic, body, spine, and vascular.
- Diagnostic Radiology, 5%
Acted as Diagnostic Radiology Technologist, performing diagnostic radiology examinations in a 300-bed teaching hospital.
- Patient Care, 5%
Maintain appropriate documentation of patient care, confidentiality, quality control and performance improvement.
Most diagnostic radiologic technologists use their skills in "patients," "arrt," and "radiologic technologist" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential diagnostic radiologic technologist responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for a diagnostic radiologic technologist to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what diagnostic radiologic technologists do because "radiologic and mri technologists must follow instructions exactly to get the images needed for diagnoses." Additionally, a diagnostic radiologic technologist resume shows how diagnostic radiologic technologists use detail oriented: "provided outstanding customer care, with high attention to detail and patient safety. "
Interpersonal skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling diagnostic radiologic technologist duties is interpersonal skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "radiologic and mri technologists work closely with patients who may be stressed or in pain." According to a diagnostic radiologic technologist resume, here's how diagnostic radiologic technologists can utilize interpersonal skills in their job responsibilities: "used interpersonal skills to maintain high quality patient care and provided individuals with professional courtesy under minimal supervision. "
Math skills. This is an important skill for diagnostic radiologic technologists to perform their duties. For an example of how diagnostic radiologic technologist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "radiologic and mri technologists may need to calculate the proper amount of radiation or magnetic resonance emitted in imaging procedures." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a diagnostic radiologic technologist: "record patient s medical history and vital statistics. ".
Physical stamina. For certain diagnostic radiologic technologist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical stamina." The day-to-day duties of a diagnostic radiologic technologist rely on this skill, as "radiologic and mri technologists often work on their feet for long periods during their shift and must be able to lift and move patients who need help." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what diagnostic radiologic technologists do: "explained the process to patients, instructed and assisted patients in assuming physical position for the examination. "
Technical skills. A commonly-found skill in diagnostic radiologic technologist job descriptions, "technical skills" is essential to what diagnostic radiologic technologists do. Diagnostic radiologic technologist responsibilities rely on this skill because "radiologic and mri technologists must understand how to operate complex machinery." You can also see how diagnostic radiologic technologist duties rely on technical skills in this resume example: "used technical factors sufficient to produce images of diagnostic quality and kept patient exposure to radiation to a minimum. "
The three companies that hire the most diagnostic radiologic technologists are:
- Regional West51 diagnostic radiologic technologists jobs
- Indiana University Health La Porte Hospital Inc46 diagnostic radiologic technologists jobs
- Geisinger Medical Center30 diagnostic radiologic technologists jobs
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Compare different diagnostic radiologic technologists
Diagnostic radiologic technologist vs. Mammographer
A mammography technician is primarily in charge of operating an imaging machine to detect and diagnose breast diseases. Their responsibilities include greeting patients, reviewing their identification and request documentation, explaining the extent of procedures, answering inquiries, operating machines, performing adjustments, and conducting the study in adherence to the protocols, making sure the patients feel comfortable every step of the way. Furthermore, as a mammography technician, it is essential to practice every safety technique during the procedures, all while enforcing the facility's policies and regulations.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a diagnostic radiologic technologist are more likely to require skills like "radiologic technologist," "magnetic resonance imaging," "diagnostic radiology," and "technical factors." On the other hand, a job as a mammographer requires skills like "radiology," "customer service," "mqsa," and "evaluates." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
The education levels that mammographers earn slightly differ from diagnostic radiologic technologists. In particular, mammographers are 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a diagnostic radiologic technologist. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Diagnostic radiologic technologist vs. Mammography technician
The job of X-ray technicians, or X-ray technologists, is to detect medical issues that may need urgent medical treatment using cutting-edge imaging methods. The pictures they generate aid physicians in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses with better accuracy. They use a wide range of imaging technologies such as the traditional X-ray machines, computerized axial tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. X-ray technicians may also perform some office work that includes preparing work schedules, managing radiologic departments, and setting up physicians' stations.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, diagnostic radiologic technologist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "radiologic technologist," "diagnostic radiology," "radiographic procedures," and "cpr." Meanwhile, a mammography technician has duties that require skills in areas such as "mammography technologist," "customer service," "radiography," and "mqsa." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Mammography technicians may earn a higher salary than diagnostic radiologic technologists, but mammography technicians earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $73,457. On the other hand, diagnostic radiologic technologists receive higher pay in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $57,393.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Mammography technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than diagnostic radiologic technologists. In fact, they're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Diagnostic radiologic technologist vs. X-ray technician
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from diagnostic radiologic technologist resumes include skills like "diagnostic radiology," "patient care," "radiographic procedures," and "visualization," whereas an x-ray technician is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "tomography," "specimen handling," and "emr. "
X-ray technicians make a very good living in the health care industry with an average annual salary of $55,344. On the other hand, diagnostic radiologic technologists are paid the highest salary in the government industry, with average annual pay of $57,393.Most x-ray technicians achieve a similar degree level compared to diagnostic radiologic technologists. For example, they're 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Diagnostic radiologic technologist vs. Mri and ct technologist
Types of diagnostic radiologic technologist
Updated January 8, 2025
