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What Do Radiologic Technologist Do?
Job Description & Duties Take x rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient’s blood stream for diagnostic purposes. Includes technologists who specialize in other scanning modalities.
Daily Life Of a Radiologic Technologist
- Take thorough and accurate patient medical histories.
- Remove and process film.
- Monitor video display of area being scanned and adjust density or contrast to improve picture quality.
- Operate fluoroscope to aid physician to view and guide wire or catheter through blood vessels to area of interest.
- Perform scheduled maintenance or minor emergency repairs on radiographic equipment.
- Provide assistance in dressing or changing seriously ill, injured, or disabled patients.
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Radiologic Technologist Skills
These are the skills Radiologic Technologists say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Other Radiologic Technologist Job Titles
- Mammographer
- 3D Technologist
- Staff Technologist
- Angiogram Special Procedures Technologist
- Radiographer Technologist
Job Outlook for Radiologic Technologists
In the United States, there were 205,200 jobs for Radiologic Technologist in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 12.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 25,300 new jobs for Radiologic Technologist by 2026. The BLS estimates 13,600 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Radiologic Technologist are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Illinois, Rhode Island, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Radiologic Technologist
The typical yearly salary for Radiologic Technologists is somewhere between $40,630 and $86,350.
Radiologic Technologists who work in California, District of Columbia, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
How much do Radiologic Technologists make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $47,510 |
| Alaska | $73,250 |
| Arizona | $65,220 |
| Arkansas | $48,740 |
| California | $81,060 |
| Colorado | $64,660 |
| Connecticut | $69,100 |
| Delaware | $60,550 |
| District of Columbia | $77,990 |
| Florida | $56,650 |
| Georgia | $56,740 |
| Hawaii | $76,230 |
| Idaho | $59,060 |
| Illinois | $64,690 |
| Indiana | $56,640 |
| Iowa | $53,520 |
| Kansas | $54,100 |
| Kentucky | $52,300 |
| Louisiana | $51,120 |
| Maine | $58,030 |
| Maryland | $68,450 |
| Massachusetts | $74,820 |
| Michigan | $55,970 |
| Minnesota | $67,070 |
| Mississippi | $48,150 |
| Missouri | $53,990 |
| Montana | $54,700 |
| Nebraska | $53,490 |
| Nevada | $70,770 |
| New Hampshire | $62,420 |
| New Jersey | $66,730 |
| New Mexico | $58,300 |
| New York | $69,250 |
| North Carolina | $58,060 |
| North Dakota | $55,970 |
| Ohio | $56,920 |
| Oklahoma | $54,380 |
| Oregon | $73,720 |
| Pennsylvania | $53,640 |
| Rhode Island | $68,750 |
| South Carolina | $53,890 |
| South Dakota | $52,400 |
| Tennessee | $51,580 |
| Texas | $58,760 |
| Utah | $57,040 |
| Vermont | $62,200 |
| Virginia | $61,440 |
| Washington | $71,020 |
| West Virginia | $49,740 |
| Wisconsin | $58,570 |
| Wyoming | $57,720 |
What Tools & Technology do Radiologic Technologists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Radiologic Technologists:
- Microsoft Office
- MEDITECH software
- Medical procedure coding software
- Medical condition coding software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Practice management software PMS
- Diagnostic and procedural coding software
- Information systems integration software
- Structured data entry software
- Diagnostic image review software
- Internet or intranet image distribution software
- Medical 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 Technologist
Learn what Radiologic Technologist education requirements there are.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Radiologic Technologist?
Who Employs Radiologic Technologists?
Radiologic Technologists work in the following industries:
Related Careers
Those interested in being a Radiologic Technologist may also be interested in:
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.