◆ Healthcare & Medicine

What a radiologic technologist
really does.

21 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.

21evidenced tasks
230,490in the US (2025)
$80,110median pay / year
9systems it runs on
See the 21 tasks ↓Open in the atlasThe full career map →
This is what one task looks like here
Perform radiographic examinations
Image the right hand for John Peters with two AP and oblique radiograp…3 sources agree

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The work, task by task

21 tasks
Hands on the work14
Perform radiographic examinations+
Image the right hand for John Peters with two AP and oblique radiographs, confirm the prescribed exposure factors for his cast, document patient ID and views taken, then route the images to the radiologist for read.
jdonetwiki3 agree
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Take x-rays and CAT scans+
Complete head CT and chest radiographs for Mr. Gomez: register his identifiers, ensure contrast protocol for the CT is set, confirm renal function before contrast, perform non‑contrast head then contrast chest, and send all series to the radiologist.
jdonet2 agree
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Plan diagnostic imaging examinations+
Map the imaging plan for Mrs. Singh's abdominal pain: order an ultrasound first, schedule CT abdomen with IV contrast if ultrasound inconclusive, flag anticoagulation status and fasting requirement, and notify the ED clinician of the timeline.
escojd2 agree
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Carry out radiotherapy procedures for disease treatment+
Deliver the daily treatment plan for Mr. Allen's prostate radiotherapy: verify target contours with the radiation oncologist, set fractionation 20 fractions, confirm immobilization device fits, log planned dose and schedule first fraction for Monday morning.
onetwiki2 agree
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Explain procedures to patients+
Explain the chest x-ray process to 68-year-old Maria Ruiz, describe what positioning and breath holds I will ask for, reassure her about minimal radiation, answer her questions about implants, and document her verbal consent before imaging.
jdwiki2 agree
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Pharmaceutical products+
Review the current radiopharmaceutical inventory list, confirm lot numbers, expiration dates and storage temperatures against the medication administration record, flag any discrepancies to Pharmacy and update the inventory log before end of shift today.
esco
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Operate fluoroscope to aid physician to view and guide wire or catheter through blood vessels to area of interest.+
Operate the fluoroscope during Dr. Patel’s femoral artery catheterization, keep the field and sterility, adjust image and table to clearly show wire tip progression, call out position changes and radiation time so he can advance catheter safely.
onet
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Assist with on-the-job training of new employees or students or provide input to supervisors regarding training performance.+
Run the orientation shift for Sara, the new tech, at 7am: demonstrate contrast setup, record two supervised fluoroscopy cases, give written feedback to Lisa the supervisor by end of day about Sara’s sterile technique and areas needing repetition.
onet
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed. Helpful?
Watch and assess3
Keep the record2
Keep it safe1
Grow the practice1

What the work runs on

named inside the evidenced tasks
7 tasksElectronic medical record EMRdocuments planned imaging sequence, communicates orders and patient precautions to the care team
5 tasksDiagnostic image reviewreviewing and sending acquired radiographs for interpretation and QA
4 tasksDigital Imaging Communications in Medicine DICOM software/modality managementmanages transfer of images from the modality to the PACS
2 tasksMEDITECHrecords treatment prescriptions, schedules fractions, and documents verification steps in the oncology workflow
2 tasksMicrosoft Officestore, edit, and share the protocol document and notify team through shared calendar or document
2 tasksFilm processor tracking and managementlog and track equipment QC results and flagged malfunctions for maintenance action
1 taskMicrosoft Wordprepare and record the written feedback and training checklist for the supervisorOpen its task library → 1 taskMicrosoft Excelbuild and share a clear shift and assignment grid that recalculates coverage and timesOpen its task library →
Browse every evidenced software task →

The same task, four heights

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ExecuteDo today's task, with fewer mistakesyou are here → ImproveMake it easy for the next person to acceptin the atlas → DecideWork out the right move when it is unclearin the atlas → BecomeLearn the pattern so it stops coming backin the atlas →

Can AI actually do this job?

the honest answer

It can

where it genuinely helps
  • Explain the theory behind the work
  • Draft, tidy and structure your writing
  • Rehearse a hard conversation before you have it
  • Build a study plan that fits your gaps

It cannot

where it stops, completely
  • Be in the room where a radiologic technologist actually works
  • Carry the responsibility when the call is wrong — that weight stays yours
  • Notice what no one wrote down: the hesitation, the thing left unsaid
  • Live with the outcome

What the work pays

two countries, two different measures

United States

this exact occupation · BLS 2025
  • $80,110 a year — the middle: half earn more, half earn less
  • The lowest tenth earn near $55,980; the top tenth near $118,660
  • 230,490 people employed in this occupation

Where the evidence lives

open any of it yourself
O*NETThe US Department of Labor's own record of this job16 of these tasks ESCOThe European skills and occupations register3 of these tasks Job descriptionsReal postings, in the wild10 of these tasks WikipediaHow the world describes this work4 of these tasks US Bureau of Labor StatisticsPay and employment, by occupation2025 figures UK NOS SFHHCS7Administer radioactive and non-radioactive medicinal products for diagnational standard UK NOS SFHCIA6Produce plain radiographic images for diagnostic purposes using mobilenational standard

Close to this work

12 nearby
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Questions people actually ask

You usually start by checking the schedule and exam protocols for the day in the facility’s Electronic Medical Record (EMR) or modality management software (DICOM). Expect back-to-back exams: x-rays, CT scans, fluoroscopy cases where you assist the physician, and occasional nuclear medicine or radiotherapy procedures.

Between patients you position them on the table, shield exposed areas, update MEDITECH or the EMR with exam details, run quality-control checks on equipment, and report any malfunctions. You also coordinate with clerical staff and other technologists to keep patient flow smooth.

AI can help with image post‑processing, auto‑labeling DICOM files, or flagging potential findings, but it won’t replace the technologist who positions the patient, operates scanners, or performs quality control. Your role in patient care, shielding, and manual procedures stays essential.

Use AI as a tool: let it speed up repetitive tasks and image sorting, but double‑check automated results, maintain DICOM and EMR records accurately, and follow local safety and legal requirements.