Onboarding plan

Radiologic Technologist Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)

A practical, printable plan to take a new radiologic technologist from first day to full productivity.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Radiologic Technologist onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

  • Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
  • Verify required credentials: ARRT Radiography (R), State radiologic technologist license (as applicable)
  • Prepare equipment and access: digital radiography (DR) systems; portable X-ray units; fluoroscopy equipment; lead aprons, thyroid shields and gonadal shields
  • Assign a buddy or preceptor
  • Enroll the new hire in Radiologic Technologist training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

  • Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
  • 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
  • Shadow an experienced radiologic technologist through a full shift
  • Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

  • Supervised practice: position a patient for a PA chest x-ray
  • Supervised practice: apply ALARA during an exam
  • Supervised practice: perform a portable x-ray in the ICU
  • Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
  • 30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

  • Review imaging orders and confirm patient identity: independently
  • Explain procedures and answer patient questions: independently
  • Position patients and equipment for the correct views: independently
  • Set exposure factors and capture diagnostic images: independently
  • Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
  • Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
  • 60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

  • Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
  • Begin cross-training on a secondary task
  • Agree on a credential goal (for example, ARRT Radiography (R))
  • Discuss the career path: Student Technologist → Staff Radiologic Technologist → CT, MRI or Mammography Technologist
  • 90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or taskTrainedObservedSigned off
Position a Patient for a PA Chest X-Ray
Apply ALARA During an Exam
Perform a Portable X-Ray in the ICU
Patient positioning
Exposure technique selection
Radiation protection (ALARA)
Image evaluation

How to measure onboarding success

  • Days until the new hire works without a preceptor
  • Competency sign-offs completed on time
  • Documentation or charting error rate
  • 90-day retention

How Radiologic Technologist training maps to this plan

  1. Introduction to the Radiologic Technologist Role
  2. A Day on the Job
  3. Essential Radiologic Technologist Vocabulary
  4. Core Duties and Responsibilities
  5. Common Tasks, Step by Step
  6. Tools, Equipment and Technology
  7. Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
  8. Skills Employers Look For
  9. Launching Your Radiologic Technologist Career
  10. Final Knowledge Check
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