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What is a Radiologic Technician?
Career 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.
Radiologic Technician Responsibilities
- 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.
- Collect and maintain records of patients examined, examinations performed, patient medical histories, views taken, or technical factors used.
- Complete quality control activities, monitor equipment operation, and report malfunctioning equipment to supervisor.
- Provide assistance to physicians or other technologists in the performance of more complex procedures.
- Maintain a current file of examination protocols.
- Provide students or other technicians with suggestions of additional views, alternate positioning, or improved techniques to ensure the images produced are of the highest quality.
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What Every Radiologic Technician Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Radiologic Technicians say are important on the job.
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.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Other Radiologic Technician Job Titles
- X-Ray Technician (X-Ray Tech)
- Radiation Technician
- Cat Scanner Operator
- X Ray Operator
- Radiology Assistant
Radiologic Technician Job Outlook
There were about 127,800 jobs for Radiologic Technician in 2016 (in the United States). 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. There will be an estimated 11,000 positions for Radiologic Technician per 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.
Do Radiologic Technicians Make A Lot Of Money?
The average yearly salary of a Radiologic Technician ranges between $28,130 and $72,720.
Radiologic Technicians who work in New Mexico, Alaska, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
How much do Radiologic Technicians make in each U.S. state?
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
- Diagnostic image review software
- Structured data entry software
- Internet or intranet image distribution software
- Film processor tracking and management software
- Information management subsystem software
- Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine DICOM software/modality management software
- Virtual reality computed tomography CT imaging software
How to Become a Radiologic Technician
Are there Radiologic Technicians education requirements?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Radiologic Technician?
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
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References:
Image Credit: Ryan Conroy via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.