Occupation · SOC 29-2034
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.
Median wage
$77,660
$52,360–$106,990
Projected growth
+4.3%
Average growth
Annual openings
980
per year
Employed (US)
223,460
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
300 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningSocial PerceptivenessSpeakingService OrientationReading ComprehensionMonitoringOperation and ControlCritical Thinking
Knowledge areas
Medicine and DentistryCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsAdministrative
Technology & tools
Categorization or classification softwareMedical softwareInformation retrieval or search softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
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.Make exposures necessary for the requested procedures, rejecting and repeating work that does not meet established standards.Operate or oversee operation of radiologic or magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes.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 or injured patients or patients with disabilities.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.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Imaging equipment controls and exposure settings — adjust under direct supervision according to physician specifications in a clinical radiology department.Patient positioning on the examining table — perform with guidance from a senior technologist to obtain the requested body area view in a hospital imaging unit.Radiation safety devices and shielding equipment — apply under supervision following government regulations to protect patients and staff during routine procedures.Physician imaging requests and written orders — read and interpret with assistance to determine basic x-ray requirements in an outpatient radiology setting.Patient explanations of imaging procedures — deliver scripted verbal instructions to help patients feel safe and comfortable before a standard scan.Developed x-ray images and digital output — review under technologist oversight to identify obvious quality issues prior to radiologist evaluation.Patient conditions and vital signs — observe and document during imaging procedures, escalating abnormal signs to a supervising physician or technologist.Contrast material preparation steps — follow step-by-step protocols under radiologist direction when assisting with contrast-enhanced imaging studies.Medical imaging software and electronic records systems — navigate entry-level functions to retrieve patient orders and log completed examinations.Radiation exposure time and source-to-image distance — calculate using reference tables and verify with a senior technologist before activating equipment.
developing
Imaging equipment positioning and control adjustments — perform routinely and independently for standard projections across multiple body regions in a busy outpatient clinic.Patient setup for varied examination types — execute with minimal oversight, modifying positioning techniques for patients with limited mobility in an inpatient hospital unit.Radiation protection protocols and compliance documentation — implement consistently and verify adherence for each procedure according to regulatory standards in a licensed facility.Physician orders and clinical requisitions — interpret independently across a range of modality types to prioritize and schedule daily imaging workloads.Patient monitoring during scans — recognize and respond to early signs of distress or adverse contrast reactions, notifying the radiologist promptly in a clinical setting.Digital x-ray and fluoroscopic image quality — evaluate completed studies against diagnostic criteria and repeat suboptimal images with corrected technique before submission.Contrast agent and radiopharmaceutical preparation — prepare accurately under radiologist direction, following aseptic technique and dosing protocols in a procedure room.Time management across concurrent imaging requests — coordinate patient throughput and equipment scheduling to meet department productivity targets in a multi-room suite.Categorization and medical imaging software — use proficiently to archive, retrieve, and route studies through PACS and RIS systems within established workflow timelines.Patient communication for sensitive or anxious individuals — apply social perceptiveness and empathy to tailor explanations and reduce procedure-related anxiety in diverse patient populations.
proficient
Complex and non-routine imaging examinations — perform autonomously across the full scope of radiologic procedures, adapting technique for trauma, pediatric, and bariatric patients in a Level I trauma center.Equipment exposure parameters and technical factors — optimize independently for atypical clinical presentations, balancing diagnostic image quality against radiation dose in a specialty imaging department.Comprehensive radiation safety programs — apply and audit protective measures for staff and patients across multiple procedure rooms, ensuring continuous regulatory compliance in a hospital radiology suite.Image quality analysis and diagnostic suitability assessment — critically evaluate x-ray, fluoroscopic, and digital studies, making independent determinations on acceptability before radiologist interpretation.Patient condition changes and adverse events — assess, triage, and coordinate emergency responses during imaging procedures, communicating critical findings clearly to the care team.Advanced contrast and pharmacological agent protocols — prepare and administer under radiologist supervision using clinical judgment to adjust for patient allergies or contraindications in an interventional suite.Multidisciplinary coordination with physicians and nursing staff — facilitate seamless patient handoffs and imaging consultations using precise oral and written communication in an integrated healthcare environment.Quality control analysis of imaging systems — conduct routine equipment performance tests, identify calibration drift, and initiate corrective action to maintain diagnostic accuracy across departmental equipment.Inductive reasoning applied to ambiguous clinical requests — resolve incomplete or conflicting physician orders by independently determining the most clinically appropriate imaging approach in time-sensitive situations.Continuing education and evidence-based technique updates — integrate new imaging protocols and safety guidelines into daily practice, applying critical thinking to improve patient outcomes in a teaching hospital.
advanced
Departmental imaging protocols and competency standards — develop and implement organization-wide procedural guidelines that align with accreditation requirements across a multi-site radiology network.Radiation safety culture and compliance strategy — lead policy formulation and staff training programs to establish a facility-wide culture of dose optimization and regulatory adherence.Radiologic technologist teams — mentor, evaluate, and guide professional development of emerging and developing staff across imaging modalities in a large acute-care institution.Quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives — design and direct ongoing QA programs, analyzing outcome data to reduce repeat imaging rates and improve diagnostic throughput systemwide.Capital equipment procurement and technology integration — assess, recommend, and oversee deployment of new imaging systems and PACS upgrades aligned with clinical and operational priorities.Interdepartmental and physician partnerships — represent the radiology department in hospital-wide committees, translating imaging capabilities into strategic clinical service decisions at the executive level.Accreditation and regulatory inspection readiness — lead preparation and coordination for Joint Commission, ACR, or state health department reviews, ensuring sustained compliance across the imaging enterprise.Educational curriculum for radiologic technology programs — design and deliver didactic and clinical training in partnership with academic institutions to develop the next generation of qualified practitioners.Patient safety incident analysis and risk mitigation — chair root-cause analyses following adverse imaging events, implementing systemic corrective actions to prevent recurrence across the organization.Strategic planning for imaging service expansion — evaluate community needs, financial models, and staffing requirements to guide senior leadership decisions on new modality offerings or facility growth.
Also known as
165 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Diagnostic Imaging Helper, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Air Force 4R011C)Registered Radiologic Technologist (RT (R))Multi-Modality TechnologistAerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N051G)Respiratory Care Practitioner Journeyman (Air Force 4H051)Radiologist, Cardiothoracic Imaging (Air Force 44R4H)Diagnostic Imaging Journeyman, Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Air Force 4R051B)Travel Technician (Travel Tech)Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force 4N031C)Ultrasound Technologist (Navy L15A)Radiologist, Body Imaging (Air Force 44R1G)Interventional TechnicianAerospace Medical Service Helper, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force 4N011B)Radiologist, Special Procedures (Air Force 44R1B)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, National Registry Paramedic (Air Force 4N011H)Preventive Medicine Sciences (Army 67C)CT Tech (Computer Tomography Technician)Diagnostic Imaging Craftsman, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Air Force 4R071C)Respiratory Care Practitioner Apprentice (Air Force 4H031)Radiologist (Air Force 44R4)Dental Assistant Helper (Air Force 4Y011)Ultrasound Technologist (Ultrasound Tech)Diagnostic Imaging Helper, Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Air Force 4R011B)Special Procedures Technologist, AngiogramTravel Interventional Radiology TechnologistRadiologist, Body Imaging (Air Force 44R4G)Radiologist, Pediatric (Air Force 44R4C)Computed Tomography Technician (CT Technician)Diagnostic Imaging Craftsman, Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Air Force 4R071B)Dental Assistant Journeyman (Air Force 4Y051)Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, National Registry Paramedic (Air Force 4N071H)Health Services Management Helper (Air Force 4A011)Aerospace Medical Service Journeyman, Neurodiagnostic Medical Technician (Air Force 4N051B)Aerospace Medical Service Helper, Independent Duty Medical Technician (Air Force 4N011C)Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N031G)Special Procedures Technologist, Ct ScanAerospace Medical Service Craftsman, Aeromedical Education Technician (Air Force 4N071G)Health Services Management Journeyman (Air Force 4A051)Respiratory Care Practitioner (Air Force 4H0X1)Diagnostic Imaging Journeyman, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Air Force 4R051C)