Diagnostic radiographer

Diagnostic radiographers plan, prepare and perform diagnostic imaging examinations and post-processing with a wide range of equipment and techniques using X-rays, strong magnetic fields or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and high-frequency sound (Ultrasound).

The following job titles also refer to diagnostic radiographer:

senior diagnostic radiographer
radiologic technologist
diagnostic radiography practitioner
specialist diagnostic radiographer
expert diagnostic radiographer
practitioner of diagnostic radiography
diagnostic radiography technician
diagnostic imaging radiographer
diagnostic imaging radiology technologist

Diagnostic radiographers typically work in hospitals, clinics, diagnostic imaging centers, and private practices. Their work environment is usually clean, well-lit, and equipped with sophisticated imaging technology. The role may require standing for extended periods and assisting with patient positioning, which can be physically demanding. Radiographers must adhere to strict hygiene and safety protocols to prevent infection and minimize radiation exposure. Work hours can vary, with some positions requiring evening, weekend, or on-call shifts, especially in hospital settings where imaging services are needed around the clock.

To become a Diagnostic Radiographer, the following educational background and experience are typically required:

1. Education: An associate or bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology or a related field from an accredited program is required. The coursework includes anatomy, physiology, patient care, radiation physics, and imaging techniques.
2. Certification: Certification from a recognized body, such as the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or an equivalent organization, is often required. Certification demonstrates professional competence and adherence to industry standards.
3. Licensure: Licensure requirements vary by state or region. Radiographers must pass a state or national exam to become licensed to practice.
4. Training: Clinical training is a crucial part of radiography education, providing hands-on experience in imaging procedures under the supervision of experienced professionals.
5. Experience: Previous experience in a healthcare setting can be beneficial, though entry-level positions are often available for new graduates. Advanced positions may require additional experience and specialized training.
6. Skills: Strong technical skills, attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential. Radiographers must also be proficient in operating and troubleshooting imaging equipment and ensuring patient comfort and safety.

Continuous professional development is essential for staying updated with technological advancements and evolving best practices in radiologic technology. Diagnostic radiographers are encouraged to attend workshops, conferences, and continuing education courses. Membership in professional organizations, such as the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), provides access to resources, networking opportunities, and further educational support.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Diagnostic radiographer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to diagnostic radiographer.

nuclear medicine radiographer
therapeutic radiographer
radiographer
general practitioner
orthoptist

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of diagnostic radiographer.

• Hygiene in a health care setting: The procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipment used and infection control methods.
• Pharmaceutical products: The offered pharmaceutical products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
• Health care legislation: The patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.
• Medical terminology: The meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.
• Health care occupation-specific ethics: The moral standards and procedures, ethical questions and obligations specific to occupations in a health care setting such as respect for human dignity, self-determination, informed consent and patient confidentiality.
• Radiation physics in healthcare: The radiation physics related to conventional radiology, CT, MRI, ultrasound, diagnostic nuclear medicine and their principles such as areas of application, indications, contraindications, limitations and radiation hazards.
• Human physiology: The science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.
• Evidence-based radiography practice: The radiography principles that require the application of quality decision-making and radiography care based on proven clinical expertise as well as the most recent research developments in the field.
• Medical contrast agents: Substances used in medical imaging techniques to reinforce the visibility of certain features in organs or cells.
• Radiobiology: The way ionising radiation interacts with a living organism, how it can be used to treat various cancers and its effects.
• Paediatrics: Paediatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
• Human anatomy: The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan.
• Medical oncology: The characteristics, development, diagnosis and treatment of tumors and cancer in human organisms.
• Radiation protection: The measures and procedures used to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.
• First aid: The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.

These skills are necessary for the role of diagnostic radiographer.

• Respond to changing situations in health care: Cope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.
• Provide psychological support to patients: Provide accurate psychological and emotional support to anxious, vulnerable and confused healthcare users related to the treatment undergone.
• Contribute to continuity of health care: Contribute to the delivery of coordinated and continuous healthcare.
• Prepare for diagnostic imaging procedures: Set up the equipment for diagnostic imaging procedures, ensuring that the room is ready for the patient.
• Empathise with the healthcare user: Understand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence. Demonstrate a concern for their welfare and handle according to the personal boundaries, sensitivities, cultural differences and preferences of the client and patient in mind.
• Evaluate delivery of radiation treatment: Analyse and evaluate the radiation treatment to ensure that it appropriately meets the prescription.
• Apply radiation protection procedures: Inspect rules related to ionising radiation and ensure these abide by the Medical Exposure Directive (MED).
• Maintain imaging equipment: Inspect imaging equipment and quality assurance processes. Report malfunctions.
• Manage radiology information system: Develop and maintain a database to store, manage and distribute radiological images and data.
• Assess radiation response: Analyse the patient’s response to radiation treatment and determine the course of action to be taken such as interrupting the treatment.
• Manage healthcare users’ data: Keep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients’ data (including verbal, written and electronic) are treated confidentially.
• Deal with emergency care situations: Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person’s health, security, property or environment.
• Perform diagnostic imaging procedures: Carry out diagnostic imaging procedures such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging to see see how the patient responds to treatment or to diagnose an abnormality.
• Communicate effectively in healthcare: Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.
• Follow clinical guidelines: Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.
• Apply medical imaging techniques: Use imaging techniques such as X-rays and ultrasound for looking at the designated body part of the patient. Use a wide range of technology and equipment for this purpose.
• Operate medical imaging equipment: Produce high quality medical images using technologically advanced medical imaging equipment such as CT (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), mobile X-ray machines, ultrasound (US), nuclear medicine with Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT).
• Comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice: Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities.
• Comply with legislation related to health care: Comply with the regional and national legislation that is relevant to one`s work and apply it in practice.
• Listen actively: Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, ask questions as appropriate, and not interrupt at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.
• Determine medical images’ diagnostic suitability: Appraise the medical images to make sure that they are clear. Determine if they are suitable for further use or if new images need to be taken. Analyse the images for their suitability in treatment planning.
• Apply radiological health sciences: Use and apply radiological health sciences according to the situation and patient’s response to treatment.
• Post-process medical images: Perform post-processing on medical images, or develop X-ray films, checking processed images to determine if further care is necessary.
• Interact with healthcare users: Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.
• Ensure safety of healthcare users: Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person’s needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.
• Determine imaging techniques to be performed: Determine the appropriate imaging techniques to provide the appropriate diagnostic information to the doctor who requested it.
• Adhere to organisational code of ethics: Adhere to organisational European and regional specific standards and code of ethics, understanding the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and apply this awareness.
• Apply organisational techniques: Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the goals set. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.
• Determine patient’s exposure factors: Determine the exposure factors to be used for producing a clear image of the pathology or trauma.
• Ensure compliance with radiation protection regulations: Make sure the company and the employees implement the legal and operational measures established to guarantee protection against radiation.
• Use treatment verification systems: Carry out various methods and verification systems to check and adapt radiation treatments according to the patient’s responses.
• Apply context specific clinical competences: Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope of practice.
• Work in multidisciplinary health teams: Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.
• Undertake post-examination activities: Perform post-examination activities such as liaising with the doctor, cleaning the room and speaking with the patient.
• Calculate exposure to radiation: Calculate radiation data about procedures, such as length and intensity of exposure.
• Prepare patients for imaging procedures: Instruct patients prior to their exposure to imaging equipment, correctly positioning the patient and imaging equipment to obtain the best image of the area being examined.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of diagnostic radiographer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Psychology: The human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.
• Development trends in radiography: The current techniques and developments in radiography and medical imaging.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of diagnostic radiographer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Interpret medical images: Analyse medical images in order to diagnose illnesses and injuries.
• Perform clinical research in radiography: Perform clinical research in the field of radiography, ranging from recruitment to trials through research studies, evaluating newer technologies and techniques as part of providing evidence-based practice.
• Identify progression of disease: Recognise changing signs, symptoms and progression of disease and make appropriate decisions related to the continuation or changing of the treatment.
• Administer contrast media: Use and administer contrast agents to enhance the visibility of the body in medical imaging.
• Conduct health related research: Conduct research in health-related topics and communicate findings orally, through public presentations or by writing reports and other publications.
• Perform ultrasound: Use ultrasound and sonography imaging techniques to look at the inside of the patient’s body.
• Report on radiological examinations: Record and report on radiological examinations to send to the primary care or referring physician.
• Employ foreign languages for health-related research: Use foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.
• Employ foreign languages in care: Communicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or service providers. Use foreign languages to facilitate patient care according to the patient’s needs.
• Interpret radiology examinations: Analyse the images resulting from radiology investigations and send a signed report to the primary care or referring physician, who will share the results with the patient.

2269 – Health professionals not elsewhere classified

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 References

1. Diagnostic radiographer – ESCO
2. Featured image: Image by Mufid Majnun from Pixabay