The employment of radiology technicians is projected to grow faster than average, by about 17 percent, from 2008 to 2018 reported the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increasing demand for those in the field of radiology is a result of a growing and aging population that is more likely to experience injury and illness, therefore requiring diagnostic imaging for diagnosis. It is also a result of diagnostic imaging being used for the monitoring of disease progression, and with successful medical technologies diagnostic imaging is also being used more often to monitor the progress of treatment. While hospitals employ the majority of radiology technicians, more and more jobs for technicians will be found in physician offices and diagnostic imaging centers. An increase in job openings will also be a result of the need to replace technicians who retire or leave the occupation.

Radiology technicians conduct diagnostic imagine examinations like x rays, and produce x-ray films of areas of the human body in order to diagnose medical problems. A part of their job is to prepare patients for these types of examinations, having them remove articles of clothing in which x-rays cannot pass through, such as certain clothing and jewelry. They position patients in the best way so that their body parts can be correctly radiographed and surround the exposed area with radiation protection devices like lead shields to limit exposure to radiation. These technicians must know how to correctly position x-ray equipment by the correct angle and height over the patient’s body. They use instruments to measure the thickness of the section that is being examined, so that they can correctly set the controls on the x-ray machine to produce images with the right density, detail, and contrast.

Given all the seriousness and complexities of a radiology technician’s job, it should come as no surprise that they have to be specially trained to work in this field. There are many radiography training programs that result in a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree, although the associate degree is the most common. Formal training programs in radiography are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, all of which provide classroom and clinical instructions in anatomy and physiology, radiation physics, radiobiology, pathology, medical ethics, medical terminology, radiation protection, patient care procedures, principles of imaging, and positioning of patients. After completing a training program many technicians are required to obtain licensure from their state.