The more sensitive your work surroundings are, the more targeted an interview will be!
So if you are due to appear for a radiology technician interview, brace yourself for the questions that may be thrown at you to gauge how well you conduct yourself in a hospital or diagnostics laboratory environment.
Most questions that you will be asked at an interview for the radiology technician position will be situational. However, you will also be tested on what kind of technology you are familiar with.
While the clichéd question “Tell us about your strengths and weaknesses” does not apply to many jobs now, you may be asked this particular question as the interviewer would want to know how much stress you can handle – or how well you perform on a high volume day.
Any answers that you provide should be honest; if you have trouble managing time, mentioning it will not necessarily cut your chances of obtaining the job.
In fact, it might just help you gain one for your honesty. Be prepared to answer the questions that you will be asked but politely decline to answer if you are not sure of one!
Related: Radiology Technician Resume
Have a look at the following interview questions that you might be asked at an interview for a radiology technician’s position:
Radiology Technician Interview Questions and Answers
1. What made you choose radiography as a career?
I have always been fascinated by the human body and what makes it tick. While I could have chosen any field due to this interest, I chose radiography because of my analytic mind which likes being given challenges. Radiography diagnostics provide me with that challenge.
2. Describe the role of a radiology technician before, during, and after a procedure?
A radiology technician prepares the patient for the procedure, positions the patient appropriately, obtains images as instructed by the senior radiologist or physician, prevents the patient from unnecessary exposure to radiation, and assists the radiologists in evaluating the images.
3. What kind of imaging equipment do you have experience with?
I am well versed in operating both CR and DR equipment of various brands including Phillips, Siemens, and Care-Stream.
4. Relate a time when you were provided with unclear instructions by the doctor who prescribed a radiograph. How did you handle it?
A patient came into my office holding a prescription that had the sentence “abdominal radiograph requested” on it with no clear instructions of what it was requested for. Since I need detailed information on why a radiograph is being requested in order to look for diseases, I tried to contact the unavailable doctor. I had no choice but to ask the patient for details about his appointment with the requesting doctor. In the time the patient managed to explain why this radiograph was needed, I would have been able to do two other radiographs, but this was a priority as I learned that the patient was at risk of cancer.
5. How do you prioritize your work, especially where multiple requests are concerned?
The trick is to look for what is more important. I would give priority to a patient who is in an emergency if I have been given multiple requests at the same time.
6. How do you handle a situation when you get too many patients in a queue waiting for x-ray or other radiology procedures?
I am good at time management and organization and usually issue appointments a day before for procedures to avoid such a situation. But sometimes there are emergency cases that come in and cannot wait. Such a situation calls for task prioritization. I consider the severity of the cases in a queue, talk to the referring consultant if necessary and then decide the order of procedures. I also ask for additional assistance if needed.
8. What do you do when you are on duty but do not have any procedures queued?
I utilize my downtime in sanitizing the radiology lab, checking the equipment for sterilization and functionality, and going over patient files in advance, so I am ready for the next patient whenever they come.
9. Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult patient?
Once this lady came in for a chest x-ray and was pretty much stressed out regarding the procedure since it was her first x-ray. I calmed her down by explaining in detail how safe the process was and I also gave her a piece of literature to study. After 20 minutes, she was calm and ready for the procedure.
10. What are the three competencies that make you excel in this profession?
I believe my genuine compassion, ‘patient always comes first attitude, and extensive knowledge regarding radiography techniques are what make me a good radiology technician.
11. Are you sometimes worried about exposure to radiation?
Definitely not, I adhere to all applicable protective guidelines while conducting procedures.
12. What do you do if a consultant or physician dismisses your diagnosis?
At the end of the day, it’s their job and their decision, I convey my opinion and that it, I never try to impose it.
13. Where does working as a radiology technician fit in your 5-year plan?
Eventually, I would like to work as a radiology director – one I have had enough experience in supervising technical and clerical staff within a medical imaging environment.