What does a radiologic technician do?
A radiologic technician is responsible for testing and treating patients with radiology machines under the assistance of a radiologist. Duties of a radiologic technician include performing radiology procedures, monitoring the equipment's safety and stability, assisting the patients with the guidelines, detecting and resolving possible system malfunctions, and preventing excessive radiation exposure. A radiologic technician must have excellent technical skills and excellent knowledge of the medical industry to support the patients and provide additional assistance.
Radiologic technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real radiologic technician resumes:
- Manage imaging databases and relate processes including image file compression and EMR implementations.
- Accomplish surgical studies utilizing a portable c-arm digital fluoroscopic machine under the direction of a physician.
- Perform general radiography, fluoroscopy, compute tomography and work in the operating room.
- Handle both inpatients and outpatients of all ages.
- Have worked with traditional x-ray systems as well as DR and CR.
- Attend yearly CPR re-certification classes in addition to maintaining continuing education points for ARRT and IEMA.
- Assist nurses with the triage process by obtain medical history, vital signs and record information in the EMR system.
- Perform diagnostic examinations, fluoroscopy and mammography and pediatric procedures.
- Facilitate obtaining accreditation of mammography services by ACR and FDA.
- Increase customer satisfaction by exhibiting professionalism and compassion when interacting with patients.
- Perform mammography equipment and films process quality control and quality assurance tests establish to meet MQSA guidelines.
- Perform diagnostic compute tomography scan on inpatients, emergency and trauma patients and outpatients in a hospital setting using Siemens equipment.
- Operate DR GE imaging equipment.
- Apply splints when medically necessary.
- Perform portable GI contrast studies when need.
Radiologic technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 24% of Radiologic Technicians 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 Radiologic Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 24%
Perform x-rays on patients Work closely with Radiologists and interpret images Perform surgical duties for surgeons Maintaining knowledge of modern medical equipment
- ARRT, 11%
Collected ARRT competencies in standing/sitting examinations.
- Radiologic Technologist, 7%
Provided technical leadership for approximately 25 Radiologic Technologists
- CPR, 5%
Completed all mandatory education and CPR certification.
- Pacs, 4%
Mastered radiology/hospital information systems including RIS, McKesson Affinity (scheduling/registration/admitting), PACS and Mac Lab.
- ALARA, 2%
Practiced radiation protection in accordance with established regulatory agency requirements bearing in mind the principle of ALARA.
Common skills that a radiologic technician uses to do their job include "patients," "arrt," and "radiologic technologist." You can find details on the most important radiologic technician responsibilities below.
Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for a radiologic technician to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what radiologic technicians do because "radiologic and mri technologists must follow instructions exactly to get the images needed for diagnoses." Additionally, a radiologic technician resume shows how radiologic technicians use detail oriented: "provide exceptional patient care and attention to detail to ensure accuracy & patient safety. "
Interpersonal skills. Many radiologic technician duties rely on interpersonal skills. "radiologic and mri technologists work closely with patients who may be stressed or in pain," so a radiologic technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways radiologic technician responsibilities rely on interpersonal skills: "maintained interpersonal skills while performing all radiologic procedures. "
Math skills. radiologic technicians are also known for math skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to radiologic technician responsibilities, because "radiologic and mri technologists may need to calculate the proper amount of radiation or magnetic resonance emitted in imaging procedures." A radiologic technician resume example shows how math skills is used in the workplace: "maintained radiographic, mammography and bone densitometry studies statistics. "
Physical stamina. A big part of what radiologic technicians do relies on "physical stamina." You can see how essential it is to radiologic technician responsibilities because "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." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical radiologic technician tasks: "carried out radiographic tests utilizing alara, proper positioning, and appropriate technical factors considering the physical distinctions in patients"
Technical skills. Another common skill required for radiologic technician responsibilities is "technical skills." This skill comes up in the duties of radiologic technicians all the time, as "radiologic and mri technologists must understand how to operate complex machinery." An excerpt from a real radiologic technician resume shows how this skill is central to what a radiologic technician does: "set technical factors utilizing alara principles. "
The three companies that hire the most radiologic technicians are:
- DispatchHealth2,508 radiologic technicians jobs
- WakeMed650 radiologic technicians jobs
- HealthTrust256 radiologic technicians jobs
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Compare different radiologic technicians
Radiologic technician vs. X-ray operator
Imaging Assistants are responsible for providing operational and administrative support to the radiologist. Their duties include scheduling examination, organize work assignments, conduct imaging room set up, patient verification, explaining procedures to patient and family as well as help in the patient transfers from and to beds, wheelchairs, and carts. They are responsible for maintaining the supplies room, manage patient exam records, establish proper billing, and report equipment malfunction. Imaging Assistants ensures patient comfort, engage in ethical conduct, and make sure work adheres to regulatory requirements.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between radiologic technicians and x-ray operator. For instance, radiologic technician responsibilities require skills such as "arrt," "radiologic technologist," "cpr," and "alara." Whereas a x-ray operator is skilled in "patient care," "radiology," "drug screens," and "bat." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that x-ray operators earn slightly differ from radiologic technicians. In particular, x-ray operators are 2.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a radiologic technician. Additionally, they're 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Radiologic technician vs. Imaging assistant
A CT Technologist's role involves the use of computerized tomography (CT) scanners to diagnose patients' medical issues. This process consists of producing cross-section images of internal organs and tissues.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, radiologic technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "arrt," "alara," "surgery," and "diagnostic radiology." Meanwhile, an imaging assistant has duties that require skills in areas such as "patient care," "bls," "customer service," and "medical terminology." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Imaging assistants may earn a lower salary than radiologic technicians, but imaging assistants earn the most pay in the non profits industry with an average salary of $36,406. On the other hand, radiologic technicians receive higher pay in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $53,913.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Imaging assistants tend to reach similar levels of education than radiologic technicians. In fact, they're 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Radiologic technician vs. Ct technologist
A staff technologist conducts laboratory requests issued by doctors to determine, diagnose, and treat various diseases. The staff technologist is also under the radiologist technician's umbrella and assists the lead technician in managing the laboratory. Included in a staff technologist's tasks are preparing the specimen for analysis and ensuring that all laboratory equipment is well-calibrated and in working order. Added to the responsibilities are protecting patient information and all confidential data the laboratory received.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, radiologic technicians are more likely to have skills like "surgery," "diagnostic radiology," "emr," and "vital signs." But a ct technologist is more likely to have skills like "ct," "radiography," "venipuncture," and "patient flow."
Ct technologists earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $63,056. Comparatively, radiologic technicians have the highest earning potential in the health care industry, with an average salary of $53,913.When it comes to education, ct technologists tend to earn similar degree levels compared to radiologic technicians. In fact, they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Radiologic technician vs. Staff technologist
Types of radiologic technician
Updated January 8, 2025
