Radiologic Technologist

Key Responsibilities

• Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician.
• Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination.
• Provide assistance in dressing or changing seriously ill or injured patients or patients with disabilities.
• Prepare contrast material, radiopharmaceuticals, or anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under the direction of a radiologist.
• Transport patients to or from exam rooms.
• Key commands and data into computer to document and specify scan sequences, adjust transmitters and receivers, or photograph certain images.
• Assist with on-the-job training of new employees or students or provide input to supervisors regarding training performance.
• Determine patients' x-ray needs by reading requests or instructions from physicians.
• Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.
• Monitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician.
• Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff.
• Process exposed radiographs using film processors or computer generated methods.
• 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.
• Perform supervisory duties, such as developing departmental operating budget, coordinating purchases of supplies or equipment, or preparing work schedules.
• Take thorough and accurate patient medical histories.
• Provide assistance to physicians or other technologists in the performance of more complex procedures.
• Make exposures necessary for the requested procedures, rejecting and repeating work that does not meet established standards.
• Perform general administrative tasks, such as answering phones, scheduling patient appointments, or pulling and filing films.
• Operate mobile x-ray equipment in operating room, emergency room, or at patient's bedside.
• Maintain a current file of examination protocols.
• 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.
• Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes.
• Operate or oversee operation of radiologic or magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes.
• Coordinate work with clerical personnel or other technologists and technicians.
• Assign duties to radiologic staff to maintain patient flows and achieve production goals.
• Complete quality control activities, monitor equipment operation, and report malfunctioning equipment to supervisor.
• Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports.
• 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.
• Operate digital picture archiving communications systems.