What Do Radiologic Technicians Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Radiologic Technicians maintain and use equipment and supplies necessary to demonstrate portions of the human body on x-ray film or fluoroscopic screen for diagnostic purposes. They also position x-ray equipment and adjust controls to set exposure factors, such as time and distance.

Other tasks include:

• Use beam-restrictive devices and patient-shielding techniques to minimize radiation exposure to patient and staff.
• 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.
• Explain procedures to patients to reduce anxieties and obtain cooperation.
• Determine patients’ x-ray needs by reading requests or instructions from physicians.
• Prepare and set up x-ray room for patient.

We asked Radiologic Technicians how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

73% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 77% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Radiologic Technicians position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician. They position x-ray equipment and adjust controls to set exposure factors, such as time and distance.

A typical day for a Radiologic Technician will also include:

• Determine patients’ x-ray needs by reading requests or instructions from physicians.
• Prepare and set up x-ray room for patient.
• Operate digital picture archiving communications systems.
• Use beam-restrictive devices and patient-shielding techniques to minimize radiation exposure to patient and staff.
• Make exposures necessary for the requested procedures, rejecting and repeating work that does not meet established standards.

We asked some Radiologic Technicians a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Radiologic Technicians also assure that sterile or non-sterile supplies, such as contrast materials, catheters, films, chemicals, or other required equipment, are present and in working order or requisition materials. They may also prepare contrast material, radiopharmaceuticals, or anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under the direction of a radiologist.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Radiologic Technicians Complete quality control activities, monitor equipment operation, and report malfunctioning equipment to supervisor. They might also 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.

In addition, they Provide assistance in radiopharmaceutical administration, monitoring patients’ vital signs and notifying the radiologist of any relevant changes.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Assist with on-the-job training of new employees or students or provide input to supervisors regarding training performance.

To some Radiologic Technicians, it is also their responsibility to Provide students or other technicians with suggestions of additional views, alternate positioning, or improved techniques to ensure the images produced are of the highest quality.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Radiologic Technician, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

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