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Radiology assistant vs technician

The differences between radiology assistants and technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a radiology assistant and a technician. Additionally, a technician has an average salary of $38,045, which is higher than the $30,902 average annual salary of a radiology assistant.

The top three skills for a radiology assistant include patients, patient care and customer service. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Radiology assistant vs technician overview

Radiology AssistantTechnician
Yearly salary$30,902$38,045
Hourly rate$14.86$18.29
Growth rate-5%1%
Number of jobs25,979596,842
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age4340
Years of experience22

What does a radiology assistant do?

Radio technicians are responsible for installing, adjusting, examining, maintaining, and repairing mobile or stationary radio transmitting. Their tasks include achieving all essential support management actions needed to establish and sustain the combat potency of assign electronic and electrical equipment. Also, they observe their performance, find out the causes of faults, and analyze given technical data for an electronic repair job. Job qualifications include knowledge in electronic principles, analog electronics theory, and electromagnetism, as well as dexterity and mechanical skills.

What does a technician do?

Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.

Radiology assistant vs technician salary

Radiology assistants and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Radiology AssistantTechnician
Average salary$30,902$38,045
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $48,000Between $24,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CityPontiac, MISan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaHawaii
Best paying companyBrigham and Women's HospitalMicrosoft
Best paying industryHealth CareTelecommunication

Differences between radiology assistant and technician education

There are a few differences between a radiology assistant and a technician in terms of educational background:

Radiology AssistantTechnician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianBusiness
Most common collegeNew York University-

Radiology assistant vs technician demographics

Here are the differences between radiology assistants' and technicians' demographics:

Radiology AssistantTechnician
Average age4340
Gender ratioMale, 30.0% Female, 70.0%Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 8.2% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage10%2%

Differences between radiology assistant and technician duties and responsibilities

Radiology assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient transportation from room to room, discharges, admissions, surgery exam transportation and in hospital house transport.
  • Used Dictaphone, Digiscribe, RIS, Medrite, RMS, IDXRAD, and Flexirad.
  • Work closely with breast surgeons and oncologists to schedule breast MRI s prior to surgery.
  • Ensure patients who come in to retrieve their reports and images are in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
  • Install new programs on transcription equipment for radiology department.
  • Escort patients to examination rooms and prepare them for radiologic exams providing compassion and open communication aim at increasing comfort.
  • Show more

Technician example responsibilities.

  • Achieve multiple ASE certifications within first year of employment.
  • Implement and manage UHF radio base stations, repeaters, and command network, effectively linking all regional headquarters.
  • Manage telecommunications installation and repair for hospital Nortel network.
  • Maintain numerous automate scripts to assist in managing Linux systems.
  • Manage, troubleshot and repair multiple wireless technologies including fiber optic transmission switches.
  • Install peripherals including printers, fax machines, scanners, and smartphones.
  • Show more

Radiology assistant vs technician skills

Common radiology assistant skills
  • Patients, 28%
  • Patient Care, 12%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Medical Terminology, 5%
  • Data Entry, 3%
Common technician skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Diagnosis, 5%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 4%

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