Life As a Radiologic Technician
Occupation Description Maintain and use equipment and supplies necessary to demonstrate portions of the human body on x-ray film or fluoroscopic screen for diagnostic purposes.
Life As a Radiologic Technician: What Do They Do?
- Prepare contrast material, radiopharmaceuticals, or anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under the direction of a radiologist.
- Coordinate work of other technicians or technologists when procedures require more than one person.
- 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.
- Position x-ray equipment and adjust controls to set exposure factors, such as time and distance.
- Collect and maintain records of patients examined, examinations performed, patient medical histories, views taken, or technical factors used.
- Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician.
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Radiologic Technician Needed Skills
Radiologic Technicians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Special Procedures Technician
- Computed Tomography Scanner Operator
- Electroneurodiagnostic Technician (ENDT)
- Registered Radiographer
- Radiology Aide
Are There Job Opportunities for Radiologic Technicians?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 127,800 jobs in the United States for Radiologic Technician. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 19.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 25,100 new jobs for Radiologic Technician by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 11,000 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Radiologic Technician are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Illinois, Rhode Island, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Radiologic Technician Average Salary
Radiologic Technicians make between $28,130 and $72,720 a year.
Radiologic Technicians who work in New Mexico, Alaska, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
How much do Radiologic Technicians make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $46,230 |
| Alaska | $62,580 |
| Arizona | $48,840 |
| Arkansas | $42,300 |
| California | $50,150 |
| Colorado | $46,270 |
| Connecticut | $55,450 |
| Delaware | $48,900 |
| District of Columbia | $54,210 |
| Florida | $42,730 |
| Georgia | $46,960 |
| Hawaii | $54,660 |
| Idaho | $48,750 |
| Illinois | $47,590 |
| Indiana | $49,300 |
| Iowa | $42,590 |
| Kansas | $49,180 |
| Kentucky | $51,780 |
| Louisiana | $38,370 |
| Maine | $51,500 |
| Maryland | $44,590 |
| Massachusetts | $55,950 |
| Michigan | $45,640 |
| Minnesota | $55,940 |
| Mississippi | $36,900 |
| Missouri | $46,580 |
| Montana | $42,630 |
| Nebraska | $45,370 |
| Nevada | $45,980 |
| New Hampshire | $50,390 |
| New Jersey | $53,570 |
| New Mexico | $60,690 |
| New York | $55,700 |
| North Carolina | $39,230 |
| North Dakota | $46,370 |
| Ohio | $42,780 |
| Oklahoma | $43,960 |
| Oregon | $54,520 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,070 |
| Rhode Island | $55,490 |
| South Carolina | $42,820 |
| South Dakota | $54,290 |
| Tennessee | $64,010 |
| Texas | $43,990 |
| Utah | $41,150 |
| Vermont | $50,140 |
| Virginia | $48,050 |
| Washington | $59,950 |
| West Virginia | $43,490 |
| Wisconsin | $44,080 |
| Wyoming | $51,120 |
What Tools & Technology do Radiologic Technicians Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Radiologic Technicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- MEDITECH software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- GE Healthcare Centricity EMR
- Practice management software PMS
- Information systems integration software
- Structured data entry software
- Diagnostic image review software
- Internet or intranet image distribution software
- Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine DICOM software/modality management software
- Film processor tracking and management software
- Information management subsystem software
- Virtual reality computed tomography CT imaging software
How to Become a Radiologic Technician
Individuals working as a Radiologic Technician have obtained the following education levels:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Radiologic Technician?
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Radiologic Technician might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as a Radiologic Technician sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Ryan Conroy via Public domain
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