X - Ray Tech

Job description
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

Technology
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