What skills does a diagnostic radiographer need?

A diagnostic radiographer needs 53 essential skills including hygiene in a health care setting, pharmaceutical products, health care legislation, medical terminology, health care occupation-specific ethics. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace diagnostic radiographer jobs?

The AI disruption score for diagnostic radiographer is 71/100 (high risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

HealthcareHealth professionalsISCO 2269

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).

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (53)

hygiene in a health care settinghygiene in a health care settingThe 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 equipmen...pharmaceutical productspharmaceutical productsThe offered pharmaceutical products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.health care legislationhealth care legislationThe patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.medical terminologymedical terminologyThe meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.health care occupation-specific ethicshealth care occupation-specific ethicsThe 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 patie...radiation physics in healthcareradiation physics in healthcareThe radiation physics related to conventional radiology, CT, MRI, ultrasound, diagnostic nuclear medicine and their principles such as areas of application, indications, contraindications, limitations...human physiologyhuman physiologyThe science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.evidence-based radiography practiceevidence-based radiography practiceThe 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 agentsmedical contrast agentsSubstances used in medical imaging techniques to reinforce the visibility of certain features in organs or cells.radiobiologyradiobiologyThe way ionising radiation interacts with a living organism, how it can be used to treat various cancers and its effects.paediatricspaediatricsPaediatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.human anatomyhuman anatomyThe dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and ...medical oncologymedical oncologyThe characteristics, development, diagnosis and treatment of tumors and cancer in human organisms.radiation protectionradiation protectionThe measures and procedures used to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.first aidfirst aidThe emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.respond to changing situations in health carerespond to changing situations in health careCope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.provide psychological support to patientsprovide psychological support to patientsProvide accurate psychological and emotional support to anxious, vulnerable and confused healthcare users related to the treatment undergone.conduct cancer screening testsconduct cancer screening testsUndertake screening test at an early stage, before cancer symptoms appear, taking physical exams, laboratory tests, imaging procedures and genetic tests.prepare for diagnostic imaging proceduresprepare for diagnostic imaging proceduresSet up the equipment for diagnostic imaging procedures, ensuring that the room is ready for the patient.perform bronchoscopyperform bronchoscopyConduct bronchoscopy to visualise the tracheobronchial tree for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.empathise with the healthcare userempathise with the healthcare userUnderstand 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...evaluate delivery of radiation treatmentevaluate delivery of radiation treatmentAnalyse and evaluate the radiation treatment to ensure that it appropriately meets the prescription.analyse X-ray imageryanalyse X-ray imageryAnalyse X-ray imagery in order to locate the sources of patients` difficulties and interpret the findings.apply radiation protection proceduresapply radiation protection proceduresInspect rules related to ionising radiation and ensure these abide by the Medical Exposure Directive (MED).maintain imaging equipmentmaintain imaging equipmentInspect imaging equipment and quality assurance processes. Report malfunctions.manage radiology information systemmanage radiology information systemDevelop and maintain a database to store, manage and distribute radiological images and data.assess radiation responseassess radiation responseAnalyse the patient's response to radiation treatment and determine the course of action to be taken such as interrupting the treatment.manage healthcare users' datamanage healthcare users' dataKeep 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, wr...deal with emergency care situationsdeal with emergency care situationsAssess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.conduct preoperative investigationsconduct preoperative investigationsConduct tests before a planned surgical operation, taking into consideration possible risk factors apparent from the clinical assessment, the likelihood of asymptomatic abnormalities and the severity ...perform diagnostic imaging proceduresperform diagnostic imaging proceduresCarry out diagnostic imaging procedures such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging to see see how the patient responds to treatment or to diagnose an abnormality.communicate in healthcarecommunicate in healthcareCommunicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.apply medical imaging techniquesapply medical imaging techniquesUse 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 equipmentoperate medical imaging equipmentProduce 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),...comply with quality standards related to healthcare practicecomply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceApply 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 associati...comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...determine medical images' diagnostic suitabilitydetermine medical images' diagnostic suitabilityAppraise 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 pl...apply radiological health sciencesapply radiological health sciencesUse and apply radiological health sciences according to the situation and patient's response to treatment.post-process medical imagespost-process medical imagesPerform post-processing on medical images, or develop X-ray films, checking processed images to determine if further care is necessary.interact with healthcare usersinteract with healthcare usersCommunicate 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 usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake 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 condit...determine imaging techniques to be performeddetermine imaging techniques to be performedDetermine the appropriate imaging techniques to provide the appropriate diagnostic information to the doctor who requested it.adhere to organisational code of ethicsadhere to organisational code of ethicsAdhere 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 techniquesapply organisational techniquesEmploy a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and s...determine patient's exposure factorsdetermine patient's exposure factorsDetermine the exposure factors to be used for producing a clear image of the pathology or trauma.ensure compliance with radiation protection regulationsensure compliance with radiation protection regulationsMake sure the company and the employees implement the legal and operational measures established to guarantee protection against radiation.use treatment verification systemsuse treatment verification systemsCarry out various methods and verification systems to check and adapt radiation treatments according to the patient's responses.apply context specific clinical competencesapply context specific clinical competencesApply 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 ...work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.undertake post-examination activitiesundertake post-examination activitiesPerform post-examination activities such as liaising with the doctor, cleaning the room and speaking with the patient.calculate exposure to radiationcalculate exposure to radiationCalculate radiation data about procedures, such as length and intensity of exposure.prepare patients for imaging proceduresprepare patients for imaging proceduresInstruct 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.

Optional (15)

psychologypsychologyThe human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.development trends in radiographydevelopment trends in radiographyThe current techniques and developments in radiography and medical imaging.interpret medical imagesinterpret medical imagesAnalyse medical images in order to diagnose illnesses and injuries.determine eye disease progressiondetermine eye disease progressionDetermine the effects and progression of eye disease by applying specialised diagnostic and imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography and topography.perform clinical research in radiographyperform clinical research in radiographyPerform 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 pra...identify progression of diseaseidentify progression of diseaseRecognise changing signs, symptoms and progression of disease and make appropriate decisions related to the continuation or changing of the treatment.administer contrast mediaadminister contrast mediaUse and administer contrast agents to enhance the visibility of the body in medical imaging.conduct health related researchconduct health related researchConduct research in health related topics and communicate findings orally, through public presentations or by writing reports and other publications.perform ultrasoundperform ultrasoundUse ultrasound and sonography imaging techniques to look at the inside of the patient's body.report on radiological examinationsreport on radiological examinationsRecord and report on radiological examinations to send to the primary care or referring physician.use foreign languages for health-related researchuse foreign languages for health-related researchUse foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.conduct radiotherapy computer planningconduct radiotherapy computer planningProduce a three-dimensional plan of the distribution of radiation across the anatomical area to be treated.use foreign languages in patient careuse foreign languages in patient careCommunicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.use obstetric sonographyuse obstetric sonographyApply medical ultrasonography to obstetrics to show the foetus in the mother`s womb.Interpret diagnostic procedures for vascular surgeryInterpret diagnostic procedures for vascular surgeryInterpret procedures such as venography, angiography in vascular surgery and interpret invasive and non-invasive imaging modalities such as CT scan, MR imaging, and ultrasound.