What is a Radiology Technician?

11 December 2009 No Comment

The role that the radiology technician plays in the health care system is vital. With ample options for employment within the health care system, it is clear that there is a great demand for this profession and a need for more qualified radiology technicians. Doctors in all Fields of medicine utilize radiologists’ skill sets to ensure proper diagnosis of many known conditions and issues that patients may face, and the role of a radiology technician is key in a number of diagnostic situations.

There is a very specific skill set involved in being a skilled radiology technician, but also, physical stamina may play a factor as most radiologists will find themselves on their feet more often than not. Hospitals are the primary employer of radiologists, however, there are also options for work specifically pertaining to diagnostic centers and some private physician’s offices. Employment outlook is generally high, as this is an extremely in demand field of medicine and requires specialized training in certain technologies.


A radiology technician is sometimes also referred to as a radiologist, radiographers or x-ray technician. In this career field, the radiologist plays a key role in diagnostics by first, preparing patients for different radiological procedure by explaining the test that will be run and removing all jewelry and clothing items which may impede an X ray. Then, the radiology technician will position the patient so that the X ray is able to radiography the appropriate part of the body, and on occasion, may be responsible for placing nonradioactive matter into the patient’s veins for further diagnostic procedure. Sometimes, this contrast is given orally, as well.


A radiology technician must also be aware of safety precautions to take while administering an X ray, and other diagnostics involving radiation for safety of both the patient and themselves, as well. Other tests a radiologist may administer are MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, or CTs, computerized tomography. Another area of diagnostics that radiology technicians will usually be able to perform is mammographies- or using low dose radiation to perform diagnostics on breast tissue.


Radiology technicians must be able to follow doctor’s orders very precisely in order to perform the diagnostic services that they provide. This requires a level of reading comprehension, but also, a radiologist will have to be able to take very clear notes and keep organized records of each patient and test performed. They must also be very fastidious in matters of safety and care when performing tests due to working with radiation. Being able to take great care to expose the patients and themselves to the least amount of radiation possible in order to perform the tests requires an attention to detail and an ability to adhere to standards of safety. On the whole, radiologists are in high demand both due to being able to understand and implement many complex diagnostic procedures, keep and relay vital information and provide quality care to both patients and the doctors who utilize their services.

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