About the Duties of a Radiologic Technician

Radiologic technicians play a major role in health care working with doctors and surgeons in hospitals, medical offices and medical imaging centers. They are specially trained to provide diagnostic imaging services for patients commonly known as X-ray technology or computed tomography (CT), mammography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound.

Skills

• Radiologic technicians are skilled at following the doctor’s instructions very carefully and accurately.


• They must have a lot of patience to communicate calmly and compassionately with very sick, elderly and disabled patients as a professional.


• Part of the job includes explaining the imaging procedure in detail to the patient to put them at ease so that they are comfortable and cooperative throughout the process.


• Technicians are required to have knowledge of anatomy and physiology to assist them with interpreting the image and help diagnose what is normal or abnormal.


• Capturing a quality image that it is sufficient for the doctor or surgeon to obtain the correct diagnosis is key to the success of the radiologic technician.

Patient Positioning

Patient positioning for an exam is a challenging part of the job. When patients are severely ill or in pain, they may have difficulty maintaining the correct position for capturing the best image. The technician must be able to work through these challenges with an anxious or elderly patient who simply freezes up when asked to move in a certain way or to lie very still. One must have the knowledge and complete understanding of the full protocol and positioning requirements, which varies with each individual case.

Equipment Handling

Setting the imaging equipment for the correct density, detail and contrast at the precise angle for every area of the body is critical for capturing correct and clear scans.

Safety Protocol

Safety is foremost during imaging to prevent unnecessary exposure to radiation by using protective lead shields. Strict protocols exist to protect patients from exposure dependent on the type of procedure performed, while different organs and areas of the body have varying sensitivities to radiation exposure. Radiologic technicians are trained to adjust radiation levels and take necessary precautions. Technicians must wear protective gloves and aprons to ensure minimal exposure for their own safety.