Radiology Technician Job Description

The radiology technician, also known as radiographers, take X-rays, conduct scans like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, computed tomography (CT) scans and other imaging tests that help diagnose numerous diseases and ailments. The qualification and preparation for becoming a radiology technician is offered by many universities, colleges and hospitals. The main employers for the radiology technician are hospitals and diagnostic centers. The qualification requirements, along with the radiology technician job description are given below.

Radiology Technician Job Description - Qualification Requirement
There are certificate, associate degree and degree courses that proffer formal training to become a radiology technician. The duration of these courses vary from 1 to 4 years. Many students opt for the associate degree program. The radiographers or nurses with some experience in the radiology field, usually, prefer the 1 year certificate course in order to improve their skill set in a particular field. The bachelor's degree is chosen by students who want to become teachers, administrators and supervisors. The formal radiology technician training programs include the courses in radio-biology, radio physics, medical ethics, medical terminologies, patient care procedure, human anatomy and physiology and basic principles of training.

Radiology Technician Job Description - Career Information
The radiology technician explains the basic procedure of taking an X-ray. The radiology technician must maintain a good relation with the patient. The radiology must tell the patients to remove any metallic object on their body because this object may create an obstruction for the X-rays to pass to the intended body part. The parts of the patient's body that are not to be exposed to the X-rays, are covered with lead shields. Then, the radiology technician has to place the instrument properly so as to correctly focus it to the specified body part. The radiology technicians who are experienced in the radiology field can handle complex radiology instrument. In order to examine the soft tissues in the body, the patient is given a solution to drink. The contrast solution, along with the fluoroscope, highlights the tissues in the body. In this way, the radiology technician can easily examine the specified tissues. Besides conducting the imaging test and getting patients ready for the test, the radiology technician creates and maintains work schedules and keeps an account of purchase of new equipment.

The radiology technician must have the ability to interpret the radiology test that he has performed on the patient and give a detailed report along with the test results. The radiology technician must be able to distinguish between the normalcies and the abnormalities in the patient. The radiology scans and test determine fractures in bones, cysts and tumors in the body parts. Abnormal growth of some organs are also identified by performing the tests and scans. The total work hours for a radiology technician, are around 40 hours per week. However, there are emergency calls, even at night, for the radiology technician. Some radiology technicians go to patient's home with the radiology equipment for diagnosis in case of emergency.

The radiographers must wear the protective gloves, shields and aprons to prevent the harmful radiations from affecting them. The radiology technicians must have a good stamina because they have to stand and perform various tests for the whole day. The salary of the radiology technician is decided on various factors. The qualification of the radiology, along with his experience in the radiology field, are taken into consideration. The location of this job plays an important role in deciding the salary of the radiology technician.

Experienced radiology technicians can work as an administrator in diagnostic centers or teachers at the training centers. This is also included in the radiology technician job description in addition to conducting tests and examinations.