Radiologic technologists work for hospitals or diagnostic centers to assist in operating and using radiologic equipment and apparatus to perform tests on patients.
These people need to be exceptionally well-versed in this work, as a lot of times, accurate diagnosis depends on their ability to handle their work correctly.
To work as a radiologic technologist, you have to possess a degree in radiology at the very least. Some prior experience in this regard will help you in getting the job easily. Since technology keeps changing so rapidly, radiologic technologists are required to keep up with new equipment and apparatus, so that they can deliver the best services to patients.
As a radiologic technologist, it is imperative that you are a good communicator, as you will often have to engage patients in conversation to provide them with information on what to expect during a radiologic scan and put their fears to ease.
Also, it is imperative for people working at this position to be able to position their patients correctly – some patients like the elderly, and the disabled, may need you to manipulate their bodies for positioning purposes physically – and you have to be physically dexterous as well.
If you are interested in working as a radiologic technologist, you must go through the following list of duties associated with the position:
Radiologic Technologist Duties & Responsibilities
• Establish personal rapport with patients to determine their specific personalities.
• Go through work orders to assess and identify patients, and ensure that proper verifications are made.
• Skim through patients’ medical histories to determine conditions and illnesses, and ensure that any significant issues are highlighted.
• Set up and calibrate radiologic machines and equipment, according to the type of scan that needs to be done.
• Assist patients by positioning them on tables, or against the equipment, aimed at obtaining the right angle for imaging purposes.
• Provide patients with instructions on limiting their movements, and what to expect during the radiologic procedure.
• Operate machines to capture images, and check them to ensure that they have been exposed clearly.
• Take prints of radiologic scans, and recheck them against taken images, as part of the quality control system.
• Provide initial reporting of patients’ conditions, by creating and submitting well-developed content on scan outcomes.
• Confer with doctors to provide them with information on radiologic findings, as part of coordinated care plans.
• Oversee the maintenance and cleaning of radiologic equipment and machines on a regular basis, to ensure constant functionality.