What does an x-ray technician do?
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.
X-ray technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real x-ray technician resumes:
- Manage day-to-day operation of PACS equipment including image archiving.
- Train personnel in triage, first aid, and CPR.
- Put patients into rooms, pull charts, and learned EMR as the office transition to electronic records.
- Input patient information in to the EMR, room patients, assist the doctor in all in office procedures.
- Provide mobile x-rays and EKG's for nursing homes, state hospital, and patients unable to leave their homes.
- Produce quality images using c-arm during surgical procedures.
- Used ladder diagrams to troubleshoot PLC circuits.Mechanical troubleshooting.
- Perform routine and special procedure examinations within the imaging department, surgery and emergency room trauma center.
- Job duties include performing general radiography and compute tomography procedures ensuring diagnostic quality while using the ALARA concept.
- Install, test and troubleshoot new hardware and software.
- Assist students with completing their competences for the ARRT examination.
- Demonstrate a compassion and concern for patients and their families.
- Work in the intensive care unit, as a multi skil technician.
- Used densitometers and test strips to assure processors are running at correct density.
- Repair or replace various types of equipment to include electrical, HVAC and plumbing systems.
X-ray technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 22% of X-Ray 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 X-Ray Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 22%
Answered phones, scheduled/rescheduled appointments, and informed new patients of facility benefits.
- ARRT, 9%
Surpass Bi-annual continuing educational requirements per ARRT.
- Radiologic Technologist, 6%
Lead Radiologic Technologist -proficient in all aspects of diagnostic Imaging and Special Procedures, coordinated daily schedule, Liaison for Radiology students
- CPR, 5%
Performed X-Rays during day, night, and weekend shifts including emergency treatment (CPR) before the physician arrived.
- Customer Service, 5%
Communicated effectively with public health staff, patients and other members of the community providing excellent customer service.
- Pacs, 3%
General diagnostic radiography PACS Administrator Billing/Insurance Scheduling Policy Development
Most x-ray technicians use their skills in "patients," "arrt," and "radiologic technologist" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential x-ray technician responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for an x-ray technician to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role because "radiologic and mri technologists must follow instructions exactly to get the images needed for diagnoses." Additionally, an x-ray technician resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "obtained a complete detailed patient history to give the radiologist the optimal opportunity to assess the patient\'s condition. "
Interpersonal skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling x-ray technician 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 an x-ray technician resume, here's how x-ray technicians can utilize interpersonal skills in their job responsibilities: "maintained interpersonal relationships while performing radiologic procedures. "
Math skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of x-ray technicians is math skills. This skill is critical to many everyday x-ray technician duties, as "radiologic and mri technologists may need to calculate the proper amount of radiation or magnetic resonance emitted in imaging procedures." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "recorded patients\\' medical history, vital statistics and test results in medical records. "
Physical stamina. x-ray technician responsibilities often require "physical stamina." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "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." This resume example shows what x-ray technicians do with physical stamina on a typical day: "x-ray technician for primary practitioner and physical therapy multidisciplinary clinic. "
Technical skills. Another crucial skill for an x-ray technician to carry out their responsibilities is "technical skills." A big part of what x-ray technicians relies on this skill, since "radiologic and mri technologists must understand how to operate complex machinery." How this skill relates to x-ray technician duties can be seen in an example from an x-ray technician resume snippet: "supervised weekend x-ray technologists and technical assistants. "
The three companies that hire the most x-ray technicians are:
- Fast Pace Health708 x-ray technicians jobs
- Aya Healthcare688 x-ray technicians jobs
- Siemens Healthineers482 x-ray technicians jobs
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Compare different x-ray technicians
X-ray technician vs. Sonographer
A Sonographer performs diagnostic procedures using sonographic equipment. Their duties include preparing patients, explaining the exam, and performing the procedure.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, x-ray technician responsibilities require skills like "arrt," "radiologic technologist," "cpr," and "customer service." Meanwhile a typical sonographer has skills in areas such as "sonography," "ardms," "patient care," and "ultrasound equipment." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Sonographers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $94,516. Comparatively, x-ray technicians tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $55,344.The education levels that sonographers earn slightly differ from x-ray technicians. In particular, sonographers are 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an x-ray technician. Additionally, they're 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.X-ray technician vs. Radiation therapist
A radiation therapist is a medical professional who works in hospitals or cancer treatment centers and treats cancer and other diseases in patients by giving radiation treatments. Radiation therapists are required to explain the treatment plans to patients as well as conduct x-ray tests on patients to determine the exact location of the area that requires treatment. They must examine radiation machines to ensure that they are safe and working properly. Radiation therapists must also follow safety procedures to protect patients and themselves from overexposure.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real x-ray technician resumes. While x-ray technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "arrt," "radiologic technologist," "cpr," and "customer service," radiation therapists use skills like "patient care," "radiation oncologist," "patient treatment," and "dosimetry."
In general, radiation therapists achieve similar levels of education than x-ray technicians. They're 0.8% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.X-ray technician vs. Senior technologist
Senior technologists have varying roles and responsibilities. These include managing wireless networks for laptop computers and mobile devices and overseeing corporate websites, web services, and e-commerce. They are also in charge of implementing the company's firewall backup system, such as supporting the planning for electric grid reliability. Senior technologists are also responsible for providing technical support surveillance system setup and VOIP configuration. To be qualified for this position, you must have a bachelor's degree, customer service skills, and technical support skills.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, x-ray technicians are more likely to have skills like "arrt," "radiologic technologist," "cpr," and "pacs." But a senior technologist is more likely to have skills like "hand tools," "sr," "computer system," and "math."
Senior technologists earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $100,827. Comparatively, x-ray technicians have the highest earning potential in the health care industry, with an average salary of $55,344.Most senior technologists achieve a similar degree level compared to x-ray technicians. For example, they're 4.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.X-ray technician vs. Ultrasound technologist
An ultrasound technologist is responsible for assisting medical professionals in operating high-end equipment to diagnose patients' illnesses and monitor health conditions. Ultrasound technologists regularly inspect the efficiency and reliability of the machine and report inconsistencies and defects for immediate repair or replacement. They record scan results and endorse the patient to appropriate medical staff for required medication and further observation. An ultrasound technologist must have excellent knowledge and extensive experience in the medical industry to provide quality care for the patients and address their needs and concerns.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between x-ray technicians and ultrasound technologists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an x-ray technician might have more use for skills like "arrt," "radiologic technologist," "cpr," and "customer service." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of ultrasound technologists require skills like "ardms," "ultrasound procedures," "patient care," and "vascular ultrasound. "
The health care industry tends to pay the highest salaries for ultrasound technologists, with average annual pay of $90,559. Comparatively, the highest x-ray technician annual salary comes from the health care industry.The average resume of ultrasound technologists showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to x-ray technicians. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.9%.Types of x-ray technician
Updated January 8, 2025
