Radiologic Technologists

Radiologic technologists operate equipment that creates images of a patient's body tissues, organs, and bones for the purpose of medical diagnoses and therapies. These images allow physicians to know the exact nature of a patient's injury or disease, such as the location of a broken bone or the confirmation of an ulcer.

Before an X-ray examination, radiologic technologists may administer drugs or chemical mixtures to the patient to better highlight internal organs. They place the patient in the correct position between the X-ray source and film and protect body areas that are not to be exposed to radiation. After determining the proper duration and intensity of the exposure, they operate the controls to beam X-rays through the patient and expose the photographic film or record the image on video or as a digital file.

They may also operate computer-aided imaging equipment that does not involve X-rays and may help to treat diseased or affected areas of the body by exposing the patient to specified concentrations of radiation for prescribed times. Radiologic technologists hold about 207,360 jobs in the United States.

Salary Range

$25,000 to $100,000

Minimum Education Level

High School Diploma

Certification/License

Required

Outlook

Faster than the Average

Personality Traits

Hands On

Outgoing

Technical

Career Ladder

Professor

Chief Technologist or Technical Administrator

Experienced Radiologic Technologist

Entry-Level Radiologic Technologist