Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Radiologic Technologist
What radiologic technologists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Check equipment, review the schedule and warm up the X-ray tubes. From there, the day usually includes review imaging orders and confirm patient identity, explain procedures and answer patient questions, and position patients and equipment for the correct views. Hospitals need imaging around the clock, so evenings, nights, weekends and on-call shifts are common. Outpatient imaging centers usually keep daytime hours.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a radiologic technologist working full time.
- Check equipment, review the schedule and warm up the X-ray tubes.
- Image a chest X-ray and a series of ankle views for outpatients.
- Take a portable chest X-ray in the ICU on a ventilated patient.
- Assist the radiologist with a fluoroscopy swallow study.
- Image trauma patients from the emergency department, including a spine series.
- Repeat an image with better positioning after a quality check.
- Restock lead aprons and supplies and give a handoff to the evening tech.
Where radiologic technologists work
Technologists work in hospital radiology departments, emergency departments, imaging centers and clinics. They spend most of the day on their feet, move and position patients, and push portable machines through the hospital. Radiation safety practices keep exposure low.
Hours and schedule
Hospitals need imaging around the clock, so evenings, nights, weekends and on-call shifts are common. Outpatient imaging centers usually keep daytime hours.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Review imaging orders and confirm patient identity
- Explain procedures and answer patient questions
- Position patients and equipment for the correct views
- Set exposure factors and capture diagnostic images
- Apply radiation protection for patients, staff and yourself
- Check image quality and send images to PACS
- Assist with fluoroscopy and portable exams
Tools you’ll use every day
- Digital radiography (DR) systems
- Portable X-ray units
- Fluoroscopy equipment
- Lead aprons, thyroid shields and gonadal shields
- Radiation dosimeters
- PACS and radiology information systems (RIS)
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Associate degree leads to solid pay
- Many specialty paths: CT, MRI, mammography, IR
- Steady demand in hospitals and clinics
- Mix of technology and patient care
What’s hard
- On your feet and lifting patients
- Nights, weekends and on-call shifts
- Exposure to illness and stressful trauma cases
- Strict accuracy and radiation rules
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I’m interested in anatomy and how the body works
- I like technology and equipment
- I can stay calm with patients in pain
- I’m comfortable on my feet all day
- I pay close attention to precise details
- I can commit to a two-year program
Not sure? Take the free Radiologic Technologist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow ALARA: time, distance and shielding
- Wear your dosimeter at all times in the department
- Use proper body mechanics and lift help for patient transfers
- Follow infection-control procedures and clean equipment between patients