What You'll Do

  • 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.
  • Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician.
  • Process exposed radiographs using film processors or computer generated methods.
  • Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff.
  • Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination.
  • Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.
  • Determine patients' x-ray needs by reading requests or instructions from physicians.
  • Key commands and data into computer to document and specify scan sequences, adjust transmitters and receivers, or photograph certain images.
  • Take thorough and accurate patient medical histories.

Essential Skills

Reading Comprehension 3.75/5
Active Listening 3.75/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.5/5
Service Orientation 3.5/5
Speaking 3.38/5
Critical Thinking 3.25/5
Monitoring 3.25/5
Operations Monitoring 3.12/5
Operation and Control 3.12/5
Writing 3.0/5
Coordination 3.0/5
Quality Control Analysis 3.0/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to understand the kind of profile this role rewards. It helps you judge whether this career looks like a stronger match than your current role, a nearby move worth exploring, or a broader path to compare more seriously.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Dependability, Cautiousness, Cooperation, Empathy

Want a personal read on fit? Take the free assessment and compare this career to your current role, nearby alternatives, and broader stronger-fit options.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Comprehension 4.0/5
Oral Expression 4.0/5
Problem Sensitivity 4.0/5
Written Comprehension 3.88/5
Information Ordering 3.88/5
Near Vision 3.88/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.62/5
Inductive Reasoning 3.62/5

Technologies & Tools

Diagnostic and procedural coding software Structured data entry software Microsoft Outlook Information systems integration software Diagnostic image review software Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine DICOM software/modality management software eClinicalWorks EHR software Electronic medical record EMR software Film processor tracking and management software GE Healthcare Centricity EMR GE Healthcare ViewPoint Solutions Information management subsystem software Internet or intranet image distribution software Medical condition coding software Medical procedure coding software MEDITECH software Practice management software PMS Virtual reality computed tomography CT imaging software R Microsoft Office software

Work Environment & Strengths

Common Strengths for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.85/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.77/5)
  • Cautiousness (High importance: 4.59/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 4.51/5)
  • Empathy (High importance: 4.38/5)

Want to see how YOUR strengths align with this career?

Take Free 15-Min Assessment →

How to Become One

This career typically requires vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some specialized training or certification may also be required.

Similar Careers to Explore

Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

3D Technologist (Three Dimensional Technologist) Angiogram Special Procedures Technologist CAT Technologist (Computed Axial Tomography Technologist) CT RT (Computed Tomography Radiologic Technologist) CT Radiology Technologist (Computerized Tomography Radiology Technologist) CT Scan Special Procedures Technologist (Computed Tomography Scan Special Procedures Technologist) CT Scan Technologist (Computed Tomography Scan Technologist) CT Scanner Operator (Computed Tomography Scanner Operator) CT Tech (Computed Tomography Technician) CT Tech (Computed Tomography Technologist) DRT (Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist) Document Imaging Technician (Document Imaging Tech) Imaging Specialist Imaging Technician (Imaging Tech) Interventional Radiologic Technologist Interventional Radiology Tech (Interventional Radiology Technician) Interventional Technician (Interventional Tech) Limited Radiology Technician (Limited Radiology Tech) Mammographer Mammography Technician (Mammography Tech) Mammography Technologist (Mammography Tech) Medical Imaging Technician (Medical Imaging Tech) Multimodality Technologist RT (Radiologic Technologist) RT (Radiology Technologist) Radiation Technician (Radiation Tech) Radiographer Radiographer Technologist Radiography Technician (Radiography Tech) Radiologic Technician (RAD Tech) Radiological Technician (Radiological Tech) Radiological Technologist Radiology CT Technologist (Radiology Computed Tomography Technologist) Radiology Specialist Radiology Technician (Radiology Tech) Registered Radiographer Registered Radiologic Technologist (RT (R)) Skiagrapher Travel Interventional Radiology Technologist Travel Mammographer Technician (Travel Mammographer Tech) Travel Radiology Tech (Travel Radiology Technician) Travel Technician (Travel Tech) Travel X-Ray Tech (Travel X-Ray Technician) X-Ray Operator X-Ray Tech (X-Ray Technician) X-Ray Tech (X-Ray Technologist)

Career Fit FAQs

Is this career a good fit for me

This page shows the role itself. To see personal fit, use the assessment to compare your interests, motivations, and strengths against this career and against the role you are in now.

Can this help if I want to stay in my field

Yes. Many people use career pages like this to compare nearby roles in the same field and see whether they need a full switch or a better-fit version of the work they already know.

What should I compare first

Start with the daily tasks, the preparation level, and the work-style signals on this page. Then use the assessment to see whether this role looks like a stronger fit than your current role or just a different title.