29-2099.06 - Radiologic Technicians

Updated 2010

Summary Report for:
29-2099.06 - Radiologic Technicians

Maintain and use equipment and supplies necessary to demonstrate portions of the human body on x-ray film or fluoroscopic screen for diagnostic purposes.

Sample of reported job titles: X-Ray Technician (X-Ray Tech), Radiology Technician, Radiographer, Radiologic Technician (RT), Registered Radiographer

View report: Summary Details Custom

Tasks

Use beam-restrictive devices and patient-shielding techniques to minimize radiation exposure to patient and staff.
Position x-ray equipment and adjust controls to set exposure factors, such as time and distance.
Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician.
Explain procedures to patients to reduce anxieties and obtain cooperation.
Determine patients' x-ray needs by reading requests or instructions from physicians.
Operate mobile x-ray equipment in operating room, emergency room, or at patient's bedside.
Prepare and set up x-ray room for patient.
Assure that sterile or non-sterile supplies such as contrast materials, catheters, films, chemicals, or other required equipment, are present and in working order or requisition materials.
Process exposed radiographs using film processors or computer generated methods.
Make exposures necessary for the requested procedures, rejecting and repeating work that does not meet established standards.

Tools & Technology

Tools used in this occupation:

Medical computed tomography CT or CAT scanners or tubes — Computed tomography CT scanners; High-speed multislice computed tomography CT scanners; Positron emission tomography/computed tomography PET/CT scanners

Medical radiological positioning aids for general radiological use — Compression bands; Patient immobilization devices; Sandbags; Straps

Medical x ray darkroom equipment or supplies — Automatic x ray film processors; Self-contained film processors; Tabletop film processors; X ray film processors

Medical x ray film archiving system software — Image storage systems; Picture archiving and communication systems PACS; Scan converters

Medical x ray intensifying screens — Image intensifiers; X ray image intensifier television systems; X ray imaging charge-coupled device CCD cameras

Radiographic locators — Cones; Cylinders; Diaphragms

X ray bone densitometers — Digital transmission densitometers; Portable densitometers

Technology used in this occupation:

Data base user interface and query software — Structured data entry software

Information retrieval or search software — Information systems integration software

Medical software — Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine DICOM software/modality management software; Electronic medical record EMR software; GE Healthcare ViewPoint Solutions; Virtual reality CT imaging software

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Physics — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

Medicine and Dentistry — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Biology — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Clerical — Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Skills

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.

Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Operation and Control — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.

Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Operation Monitoring — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Abilities

Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Control Precision — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Finger Dexterity — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Multilimb Coordination — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

Work Activities

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Work Context

Exposed to Disease or Infections — How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Contact With Others — How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Exposed to Radiation — How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

Telephone — How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Physical Proximity — To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Frequency of Decision Making — How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

Freedom to Make Decisions — How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

Job Zone

Title	Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education	Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related Experience	Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Job Zone Examples	These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include food service managers, electricians, agricultural technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.
SVP Range	(6.0 to < 7.0)

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
73	Associate's degree
25	Some college, no degree
2	Bachelor's degree

Interests

Interest code: RCS

Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Work Styles

Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Self Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.

Independence — Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Work Values

Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Related Occupations

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29-2055.00	Surgical Technologists
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31-9091.00	Dental Assistants
31-9099.02	Endoscopy Technicians

Wages & Employment Trends

National

Median wages data collected from Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other.
Employment data collected from Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other.
Industry data collected from Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other.

Median wages (2012)	$19.57 hourly, $40,700 annual
Employment (2010)	94,000 employees
Projected growth (2010-2020)	Faster than average (20% to 28%)
Projected job openings (2010-2020)	40,400
Top industries (2010)	Health Care and Social Assistance

State & National

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012 wage data and 2010-2020 employment projections . "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2010-2020). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Job Openings on the Web

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Sources of Additional Information

Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) , 1255 Northland Dr., St. Paul, MN 55120-1155. Phone: (651) 687-0048.
American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) , 15000 Central Ave. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123-3917. Phone: (800) 444-2778. Fax: (505) 298-5063.
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) , 20 N. Wacker Dr., Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60606-2901. Phone: (312) 704-5300. Fax: (312) 704-5304.

Summary Report for: 29-2099.06 - Radiologic Technicians