What does a Radiology Technologist do?
Published 4 min read
A radiology technologist is a health care professional who uses imaging technologies to diagnose and treat patients.
Radiology Technologist job duties include:
- Position patients and select anatomic and technical parameters accurately.
- Collaborate with radiologists to determine optimal positioning, technical parameters and contrast media needs.
- Perform quality control procedures.
- Perform and record pretest patient history interviews.
- Educate patients regarding procedures.
- Maintain equipment in proper working order.
- Follow radiation safety guidelines.
- Develop x-ray film as needed.
- Participate in continuing education opportunities.
Radiology Technologist Job Requirements
A Radiology Technologist is a medical professional who uses imaging technology to diagnose and treat patients. They must have at least an Associate’s Degree in Radiologic Technology, although many employers prefer candidates with a Bachelor’s Degree. In addition, they must be certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Some states also require licensure. Radiology Technologists typically have 1-2 years of experience working in a hospital or clinical setting.
Radiology Technologist Skills
- X-Ray
- CT Scan
- MRI
- Mammography
- Nuclear Medicine
- Ultrasound
- PET/CT
- Fluoroscopy
- Interventional Radiology
- Angiography
- Venography
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How to become a Radiology Technologist
Radiology technologists are in high demand and the job outlook is excellent. Here’s how to become a radiology technologist:
Step 1: Get a High School Diploma or GED
Most radiology technologist programs require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent. If you don’t have a high school diploma, you can still become a radiology technologist by completing a General Educational Development (GED) program.
Step 2: Enroll in an Accredited Radiology Technologist Program
There are many accredited radiology technologist programs available at community colleges, technical schools, and universities. Most programs take two to four years to complete and lead to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. During your program, you’ll take classes such as medical ethics, anatomy, physiology, and radiologic physics. You’ll also complete clinical rotations in various imaging modalities, such as X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound.
Step 3: Become Certified and Licensed
After completing an accredited program, you must pass a national certification exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Once you’re certified, you must obtain a state license before you can begin working as a radiology technologist. requirements vary by state, but most states require passing an additional exam and completing a certain number of continuing education credits every year.
Step 4: Find a Job
There are many job opportunities available for certified and licensed radiology technologists. You can work in hospitals, clinics, physician’s offices, and other healthcare facilities. Many technologists specialize in a particular modality or type of imaging, such as mammography or computed tomography.
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