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How exposed to AI is a Radiologic Technologists and Technician?

Of the 30 tasks O*NET lists for radiologic technologists and technicians, 3 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 16 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Computed Tomography Technologist (CT Tech)Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT)Imaging Technologist (Imaging Tech)MammographerRadiographerRadiologic Technologist (RT)Radiology Technician (Radiology Tech)Registered Radiologic Technologist (RT (R))X-Ray Technician (X-Ray Tech)X-Ray Technologist (X-Ray Tech)
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
30
tasks rated for this occupation
11%
hold a degree, from a survey of 43
216k
people do this job in the US
43 of 89
least protected in healthcare practitioners

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Reachable with a chat window today

3
  • Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan
  • Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports
  • Perform general administrative tasks, such as answering phones, scheduling patient appointments, or pulling and filing films

Only with software built on top

11
  • Monitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician
  • Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff
  • Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes
  • Determine patients' x-ray needs by reading requests or instructions from physicians
  • Operate or oversee operation of radiologic or magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes
  • Operate digital picture archiving communications systems
  • Provide assistance to physicians or other technologists in the performance of more complex procedures
  • Key commands and data into computer to document and specify scan sequences, adjust transmitters and receivers, or photograph certain images
  • Maintain a current file of examination protocols
  • Coordinate work with clerical personnel or other technologists and technicians
  • Perform supervisory duties, such as developing departmental operating budget, coordinating purchases of supplies or equipment, or preparing work schedules

Cannot be sped up

16
  • Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination
  • Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician
  • Prepare contrast material, radiopharmaceuticals, or anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under the direction of a radiologist
  • Process exposed radiographs using film processors or computer generated methods
  • Operate mobile x-ray equipment in operating room, emergency room, or at patient's bedside
  • Make exposures necessary for the requested procedures, rejecting and repeating work that does not meet established standards
  • Perform procedures, such as linear tomography, mammography, sonograms, joint and cyst aspirations, routine contrast studies, routine fluoroscopy, or examinations of the head, trunk, or extremities under supervision of physician
  • Take thorough and accurate patient medical histories
  • Operate fluoroscope to aid physician to view and guide wire or catheter through blood vessels to area of interest
  • Set up examination rooms, ensuring that all necessary equipment is ready
  • Transport patients to or from exam rooms
  • Assist with on-the-job training of new employees or students or provide input to supervisors regarding training performance
  • Complete quality control activities, monitor equipment operation, and report malfunctioning equipment to supervisor
  • Assign duties to radiologic staff to maintain patient flows and achieve production goals
  • Provide assistance in dressing or changing seriously ill, injured, or disabled patients
  • Provide students or other technicians and technologists with suggestions of additional views, alternate positioning, or improved techniques to ensure the images produced are of the highest quality
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.