HealthcareO*NET: 29-2034.00
Will AI Replace Radiologic Technologists and Technicians?
Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes. Includes radiologic technologists and technicians who specialize in other scanning modalities.
53out of 100
Medium Risk
AI Risk Score
53/100
Risk Level
Medium
Job Zone
3/5
Medium
Total Tasks Analyzed
27
🤖 What AI Can Do
- â–¸Monitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician.
- â–¸Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.
- â–¸Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes.
- â–¸Prepare contrast material, radiopharmaceuticals, or anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under the direction of a radiologist.
- â–¸Process exposed radiographs using film processors or computer generated methods.
- â–¸Operate or oversee operation of radiologic or magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes.
👤 What Requires Humans
- â–¸Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff.
- â–¸Operate mobile x-ray equipment in operating room, emergency room, or at patient's bedside.
- â–¸Assist with on-the-job training of new employees or students or provide input to supervisors regarding training performance.
- â–¸Perform general administrative tasks, such as answering phones, scheduling patient appointments, or pulling and filing films.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (11)
- Monitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician.
- Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.
- Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes.
- 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 or oversee operation of radiologic or magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes.
- Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports.
- 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.
- 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.
👤Requires Humans (4)
- Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff.
- Operate mobile x-ray equipment in operating room, emergency room, or at patient's bedside.
- Assist with on-the-job training of new employees or students or provide input to supervisors regarding training performance.
- Perform general administrative tasks, such as answering phones, scheduling patient appointments, or pulling and filing films.
âš¡AI-Assisted (12)
- 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.
- Determine patients' x-ray needs by reading requests or instructions from physicians.
- Make exposures necessary for the requested procedures, rejecting and repeating work that does not meet established standards.
- Operate digital picture archiving communications systems.
- 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.
- Provide assistance to physicians or other technologists in the performance of more complex procedures.
- Take thorough and accurate patient medical histories.
Key Skills Analysis
Active Listening
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Service OrientationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Operation and Control
Importance: 3.25/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.12/5.00
WritingAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Quality Control AnalysisAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Related Occupations
Future-Proof Your Career
Whether AI poses a high or low risk to your role, staying ahead means continuous learning. Explore courses to build AI-resistant skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Radiologic Technologists and Technicians have a medium risk of AI replacement with a score of 53/100. While some tasks can be assisted by AI, the core responsibilities require human judgment and skills.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research