X - Ray Tech

Employer Information

Job Information

29-2034.02 Xray Tech Job Description

Job Purpose

Maintain and use equipment and supplies necessary to demonstrate portions of the human body on x-ray film or fluoroscopic screen for diagnostic purposes.

Tasks

• Use beam-restrictive devices and patient-shielding techniques to minimize radiation exposure to patient and staff.
• Position x-ray equipment and adjust controls to set exposure factors, such as time and distance.
• Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician.
• Determine patients' x-ray needs by reading requests or instructions from physicians.
• Make exposures necessary for the requested procedures, rejecting and repeating work that does not meet established standards.
• Process exposed radiographs using film processors or computer generated methods.
• Explain procedures to patients to reduce anxieties and obtain cooperation.
• Perform procedures such as linear tomography, mammography, sonograms, joint and cyst aspirations, routine contrast studies, routine fluoroscopy and examinations of the head, trunk, and extremities under supervision of physician.
• Prepare and set up x-ray room for patient.
• Assure that sterile supplies, contrast materials, catheters, and other required equipment are present and in working order, requisitioning materials as necessary.
• Maintain records of patients examined, examinations performed, views taken, and technical factors used.
• Provide assistance to physicians or other technologists in the performance of more complex procedures.
• Monitor equipment operation and report malfunctioning equipment to supervisor.
• Provide students and other technologists with suggestions of additional views, alternate positioning or improved techniques to ensure the images produced are of the highest quality.
• Coordinate work of other technicians or technologists when procedures require more than one person.
• Assist with on-the-job training of new employees and students, and provide input to supervisors regarding training performance.
• Maintain a current file of examination protocols.

Work Context

• Requires standing
• Requires walking and running
• Requires repetitive movement
• Requires bending or twisting
• Requires using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls
• Requires contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise)
• Requires telephone conversations
• Requires face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams
• Includes conflict situations
• Requires dealing with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous people
• Includes exposure to contaminants
• Opportunity to make decisions without supervision
• Requires making decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization
• Requires making decisions that impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company
• Mistakes are not easily correctable and have serious consequences
• Includes exposure to disease or infections
• Includes exposure to radiation
• Requires exposure to hazardous conditions
• Requires being exact or highly accurate
• Requires repeating the same physical activities or mental activities over and over
• Freedom to determine tasks, priorities, and goals
• Job is automated
• Requires meeting strict deadlines
• Requires work with others in a group or team
• Requires work with external customers or the public
• Requires coordinating or leading others in accomplishing work activities
• Includes responsibility for the health and safety of others
• Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment
• Requires wearing specialized protective or safety equipment
• Job tasks are performed in close physical proximity to other people
• Requires working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions

Work Activities

• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Performing General Physical Activities
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Assisting and Caring for Others
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
• Processing Information
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Controlling Machines and Processes
• Communicate technical information
• Operate x-ray machines
• Observe patient condition
• Lift or transport ill or injured patients
• Prepare patients for tests, therapy, or treatments
• Use knowledge of medical terminology
• Follow infectious materials procedures
• Use sanitation practices in health care settings
• Explain testing procedures to patient
• Collect clinical data
• Inventory medical supplies or instruments
• Identify body response variations
• Position patient for therapy
• Use clinical sterilizing technique
• Use emergency medical procedures
• Record medical history or data
• Operate radiologic equipment
• Use hazardous materials information
• Follow patient observation procedures
• Use quality assurance techniques
• Take vital signs
• Follow clinical radiation safety procedures
• Use medical diagnostic equipment

Qualifications

Skills

• Basic Skills
• Active Learning
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Learning Strategies
• Mathematics
• Monitoring
• Reading Comprehension
• Science
• Speaking
• Writing
• Social Skills
• Coordination
• Instructing
• Negotiation
• Persuasion
• Service Orientation
• Social Perceptiveness

Technical Skills

• Equipment Maintenance
• Operation Monitoring
• Operation and Control
• Operations Analysis
• Programming
• Quality Control Analysis
• Systems Skills
• Judgment and Decision Making
• Systems Analysis
• Systems Evaluation
• Resource Management Skills
• Management of Material Resources
• Management of Personnel Resources
• Time Management

Desktop Computer Skills

• Spreadsheets
• Internet Navigation
• Databases

Tools

• Medical computed tomography CT or CAT scanners or tubes
• Computed tomography CT scanners
• Positron emission tomography/computed tomography PET/CT scanners
• High-speed multislice computed tomography CT scanners
• Medical radiological positioning aids for general radiological use
• Straps
• Patient immobilization devices
• Compression bands
• Medical x ray darkroom equipment or supplies
• Automatic x ray film processors
• Self-contained film processors
• X ray film processing machines
• Portable film processors
• Medical x ray film archiving system software
• Image storage systems
• Scan converters
• Picture archiving and communication systems PACS
• Data base user interface and query software
• Structured data entry software
• Medical software
• Film processor tracking and management software
• GE Healthcare Centricity EMR Electronic medical record EMR software
• Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine DICOM software/modality management software
• Diagnostic image review software