Occupation Details
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes. Includes radiologic technologists and technicians who specialize in other scanning modalities.
Quick Navigation
Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$59,030.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$80,270.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$90,530.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
13,590
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
15,820
+223 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
1,257
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
New York State requires workers in this occupation to hold a license or certification.
Licensed Radiological Technologist
Learn MoreSpecialist Assistant in Acupuncture, Orthopedics, Urology or Radiology
Learn MoreApprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Automated defibrillators
- Automatic x ray film processors
- Collimators
- Compression bands
- Computed tomography CT audio and visual intercommunication systems
- Computed tomography CT scanners
- Cones
- Cushions
- Cylinders
- Desktop computers
- Diagnostic ultrasound equipment
- Diaphragms
- Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine DICOM system equipment
- Digital transmission densitometers
- Electrocardiography EKG units
- Electronic blood pressure units
- Enema equipment
- Film cassettes
- Film processing equipment
- Filters
- Fluoroscopes
- Grids
- High-speed multislice computed tomography CT scanners
- Hypodermic needles
- Image capturing and transmission systems
- Image intensifiers
- Image storage systems
- Intensifying screens
- Intramuscular needles
- Intravenous IV locks
Technology
- Diagnostic and procedural coding software
- Information management subsystem software
- Information systems integration software
- Medical software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Practice management software PMS
- Structured data entry software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- communicate technical information
- communicate technical information
- make presentations on health or medical issues
- make presentations on health or medical issues
- analyze medical data
- explain testing procedures to patient
- explain testing procedures to patient
- identify body response variations
- identify body response variations
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- lift or transport ill or injured patients
- lift or transport ill or injured patients
- observe patient condition
- observe patient condition
- collect clinical data
- collect clinical data
- operate radiologic equipment
- operate radiologic equipment
- operate ultrasound equipment
- operate ultrasound equipment
- operate x-ray machines
- operate x-ray machines
- use medical diagnostic equipment
- use medical diagnostic equipment
- use emergency medical procedures
- use hazardous materials information
- use hazardous materials information
- follow infectious materials procedures
- follow infectious materials procedures
- use interpersonal communication techniques
- use interpersonal communication techniques
- follow dental or medical office procedures
- follow dental or medical office procedures
- follow dental or medical x-ray procedures
- follow dental or medical x-ray procedures
- follow patient observation procedures
- follow patient observation procedures
- use quality assurance techniques
- use quality assurance techniques
- use sanitation practices in health care settings
- use sanitation practices in health care settings
- use knowledge of medical terminology
- use knowledge of medical terminology
- follow clinical radiation safety procedures
- follow clinical radiation safety procedures
- use clinical sterilizing technique
- use darkroom procedures in radiology or medical or dental lab setting
- use darkroom procedures in radiology or medical or dental lab setting
- record medical history or data
- inventory medical supplies or instruments
- inventory medical supplies or instruments
- administer injections
- administer radioactive isotopes
- position patient for therapy
- position patient for therapy
- prepare patients for tests, therapy, or treatments
- prepare patients for tests, therapy, or treatments
- take vital signs
- take vital signs
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Coordinate work with clerical personnel or other technologists and technicians.
- Perform supervisory duties, such as developing departmental operating budget, coordinating purchases of supplies or equipment, or preparing work schedules.
- Provide students or other technicians and technologists with suggestions of additional views, alternate positioning, or improved techniques to ensure the images produced are of the highest quality.
- Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination.
- Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician.
- Monitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician.
- Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.
- Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes.
- Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff.
- Determine patients' x-ray needs by reading requests or instructions from physicians.
- Prepare contrast material, radiopharmaceuticals, or anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under the direction of a radiologist.
- Process exposed radiographs using film processors or computer generated methods.
- Operate mobile x-ray equipment in operating room, emergency room, or at patient's bedside.
- Operate or oversee operation of radiologic or magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes.
- Make exposures necessary for the requested procedures, rejecting and repeating work that does not meet established standards.
- Operate digital picture archiving communications systems.
- 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.
- Provide assistance to physicians or other technologists in the performance of more complex procedures.
- Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports.
- Take thorough and accurate patient medical histories.
- Key commands and data into computer to document and specify scan sequences, adjust transmitters and receivers, or photograph certain images.
- Operate fluoroscope to aid physician to view and guide wire or catheter through blood vessels to area of interest.
- Set up examination rooms, ensuring that all necessary equipment is ready.
- Transport patients to or from exam rooms.
- Assist with on-the-job training of new employees or students or provide input to supervisors regarding training performance.
- Maintain a current file of examination protocols.
- Perform general administrative tasks, such as answering phones, scheduling patient appointments, or pulling and filing films.
- Complete quality control activities, monitor equipment operation, and report malfunctioning equipment to supervisor.
- Assign duties to radiologic staff to maintain patient flows and achieve production goals.
- Provide assistance in dressing or changing seriously ill, injured, or disabled patients.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Bank Street School Upper Camp II Digital Technology
Digital Technology (ages 10-13) offers instruction in video taping, digital camera work, sound engineering, digital editing, and theatrical light design. Campers will work on a variety of creative individual and group digital projects, making their own short films and working together to create a documentary film all about Summer 2007!
Learn MoreCornell University Summer College Program: Body, Mind, and Health - Perspectives for Future Medical Professionals
Are you a Sophomore, Junior, or a high school Senior? Spend 3 weeks and earn 3 credits at Cornell University exploring the fascinating past, present, and future of American medicine.
Learn MoreInstitute of Medicine (IOM)
The nation turns to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies for science-based advice on matters of biomedical science, medicine, and health. The Institute provides unbiased, evidence-based, and authoritative information and advice concerning health and science policy to policy-makers, professionals, leaders in every sector of society, and the public at large.
Learn MoreRadiologic (X-Ray) Technicians
Visit this link for information on this career in the military.
Learn MoreRadiologic technologists and technicians
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More