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Central Minnesota's Game of Careers

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Radiologic Technician

Description of job: 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.

Looking inside the human body without resorting to highly invasive surgery is the work of Radiologic Technologists and Technicians. They perform X-rays, CAT scans and other imaging examinations, to help doctors develop accurate diagnoses. The technician positions the patient to get the clearest possible image results, before activating their equipment. Helping patients feel calm and explaining the procedure is part of the job. For certain procedures, they administer non-radioactive materials into a patient’s bloodstream. Technicians also monitor the video display of the area being scanned, adjusting controls to improve picture quality. Technologists may also perform imaging examinations, but in addition, they have the skills to evaluate the quality of the image. They are responsible for handling infectious and radioactive materials, and ensuring that safety measures meet government regulations. They may oversee radiologic staff, assigning duties and supervising the work, and help the facility’s administration develop operating budgets and make new equipment purchases. Radiologic technologists and technicians work in hospitals, doctor’s offices or clinics and laboratories. Typically, an associate’s degree in the field is required, and in most states, they must also earn a license or professional certification to practice. A certification can strengthen employment prospects significantly, even if the state does not require it.

Related Careers: Radiation Therapists, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, Neurodiagnostic Technologists, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists, Endoscopy Technician, Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians & Respiratory Therapy Technicians

Sources: Minnesota CAREERwise & CareerOneStop

Typical Job ActivitiesSkills & KnowledgeAve Wage/Job OutlookEducation & Training

Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:

  • Administer medical substances for imaging or other procedures.
  • Assist patients with hygiene or daily living activities.
  • Position patients for treatment or examination.
  • Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
  • Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
  • Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
  • Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.
  • Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
  • Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities.
  • Record patient medical histories.

Typical Working Conditions

  • Frequent contact with others.
  • Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
  • Exposure to disease or infections.
  • The importance of being accurate or exact.
  • Working with a group or team.
  • Using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
  • Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
  • Wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection.
  • Dealing with unpleasant or angry people.
  • Responsibility for others’ health and safety.
  • Meeting strict deadlines.
  • High levels of competition.

Tools & Technology used by Radiologic Technician

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Most Important Skills for Radiologic Technician

  • 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.
  • Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Speaking—Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Thinking Critically—Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Writing—Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Being Aware of Others—Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Coordinating with Others—Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
  • Monitoring Performance—Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Managing Time—Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
  • Helping Others—Actively looking for ways to help people.

Most Important Knowledge Areas for Radiologic Technician

  • 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.
  • Computers and Electronics—Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:

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

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Wages Per Hour For Radiologic Technicians (MN)
Low

$30.17

Median

$35.74

High

$39.15

Low indicates 25% of workers earn less and 75% earn more. Median indicates 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more. High indicates 75% of workers earn less and 25% earn more.

Demand
This career is seeing very high growth compared to other careers. There will be a 5.2% growth new for Radiologic Technician to meet market demand between 2018-2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

This career is best for those with at least an Associates degree, but most professionals earn a Bachelors or higher. This job requires a license and certifications could aid in showcasing knowledge.

View the local post-secondary education options from our partners: Central Lakes College & MSTATE.

Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:

  • Anatomy
  • Chemistry
  • Community Health
  • Computer Applications
  • Human Development
  • Medical Ethics
  • Nutrition
  • Research Methods
  • Safety and First Aid/CPR
  • Sociology
  • Statistics
  • World Languages

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

 


Test your knowledge of medical terminology in this lab by Cengage Learning.
Earn points by testing your knowledge of medical terminology in this lab by Cengage Learning.

Explore a 3D look inside Riverwood Healthcare Center’s Surgical Services building (3D 360 photo courtesy of Bob Pederson, Distinctive Properties of Minnesota)

 

Videos
Radiologic Tech (LLUHealth)
Radiologic Tech (citytowninfo)
Radiologic Tech (Gadballer)
Radiology Tech (Dr. Kit)

“Day in the Life” Videos
Radiology Tech (CareerRX)
Interventional Radiology Nurse (GBMC)

Explore Other Healthcare Careers

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  • Nursing Assistant
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Pharmacy Technician
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  • Physical Therapist
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FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS & PARTNERS

PARTNERS

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FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS & PARTNERS

This virtual career exploration experience is financially supported in part by Sourcewell and the Central Minnesota Perkins Consortium, with the partnership of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber and  Central Lakes College.


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