Radiographer Job Description, Duties, and Responsibilities

This post presents detailed information on the radiographer job description, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.

It also highlights the major requirements that you may be expected to fulfill to be hired for the radiographer role by most recruiters/employers.

What Does a Radiographer Do?

Radiographers are health care professionals who operate diagnostic equipment to examine patients for an illness or injury.

The radiographer job description involves using technological equipment such as ultrasound, X-ray, and MRI to diagnose a disease.

It also entails developing treatment plans and overseeing the administration of radiotherapy for patients.

In performing their duties, radiographers collaborate with oncologists and physicians to plan radiotherapy treatment for cancer patients.

They operate CT scanners, nuclear dyes, X-rays, and fluoroscope to obtain radiographic images of patients.

These images are used to identify medical conditions such as diseases or injuries.

Radiographers usually evaluate patient condition prior to radiotherapy to determine the suitable radiographic technique for treatment.

Their role also involves interacting with patients to offer them psychological support and reassurance.

They also explain to them the details of a radiographic procedure as well as provide answers to their inquiries.

As part of their responsibilities, radiographers correctly position patients for imaging.

They set accurate radiation levels in accordance with established standards, and also obtain patient consent prior to diagnostic imaging to fulfill legal requirements.

Usually, radiographers’ work description entails ensuring compliance with established safety regulations and procedures when operating radiation equipment in order to prevent ill-exposure to ionizing radiation.

They develop films and process digital images to obtain high quality radiographs which are presented to physicians for interpretation.

Recording and storing of patients’ examination results, ensuring compliance with Data Protection Act and Patient Confidentiality codes is also part of radiographers’ description.

To fulfill their role, radiographers inspect diagnostic equipment to identify faults and see that they are fixed.

They also monitor patients during and after radiation to ensure proper response to treatment.

To enter the radiographer career requires having an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in radiology, radiography, or sonography.

Some of the qualities needed to be effective on the job include attention to details, IT skills, and teamwork ability.

Radiographer Job Description Example/Template

Radiographers perform various functions in their effort to perfectly diagnose patients’ diseases.

Here is an example of a typical radiographer job description, consisting of major duties, tasks, and responsibilities commonly assigned to the role in most firms:

• Evaluate patients’ medical condition and history to determine most suitable radiographic technique for diagnosis
• Interact with patients to offer them psychological support and address their concerns regarding an imaging procedure
• Adjust diagnostic equipment to deliver accurate amount of radiation to patients
• Operate complex medical instruments such as MRIs, CT scanners, X-ray, ultrasound, and several other imaging devices
• Liaise with oncologists and physicians to plan treatment for cancer patients
• Direct and supervise the activities of radiography assistants and trainee radiographers
• Maintain proper records of patient details ensuring confidentiality of sensitive information
• Follow up on patients after treatment to track the progress of recovery and ensure patients show no signs of radiation side effect
• Explain to patients and their family the details of a procedure and ways to manage possible side effects
• Regularly inspect diagnostic equipment to ensure they are functional and operate efficiently
• Assist oncologists and physicians during complex radiological examinations
• Ensure compliance with health and safety guidelines to minimize risk of exposure to ionizing radiation
• Correctly position patients prior to X-ray imaging in order to obtain high quality films
• Use portable devices to conduct diagnostic scans on patients who can’t move to the radiology unit.

Requirements – Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge – for Radiographer Job

If you are interesting in working as a radiographer and want to know the requirements you need to meet to be considered for the job by most employers, then check out the following points:

• Education and Training: To become a radiographer, you need an Associate’s degree in radiologic technology, or a Bachelor’s degree in radiography/sonography. Certification by ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) or ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers) is usually required for the job. Radiographers are also required to fulfill state requirements for obtaining a license, which involves passing a licensing exam
• Attention to details: Radiographers are able to deliver accurate amounts of radiation to patients during diagnosis and therapy
• IT Skills: They are proficient in operating computerized machines such as MRIs and Ultrasound equipment
• Teamwork Ability: They are adept to working with other health professionals such as oncologists and physicians to develop treatment plans for patients.

Conclusion

This post provides detailed description for the radiographer job, which employers can adopt as a template in designing a suitable work description for the role in hiring the best candidates and assigning duties to them.

The information in this post is also helpful to individuals interested in becoming radiographers for them to learn about the duties and responsibilities of the role, and so be able to prepare themselves for success in the career.