---
name: radiographer
description: "Occupational skill for the role 'radiographer' (also: clinical radiographer, practitioner of radiography, medical radiation technologist, expert radiographer, clinical radiography practitioner, specialist radiographer). Use when the user asks for typical radiographer work such as: Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.; Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.; Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort."
---

# Radiographer

Radiographers use a range of technologies to examine, treat and care for patients. They work in the fields of Medical Imaging, Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine and apply ionising radiation, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and radioactive sources.

## Core workflow

1. Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
2. Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
3. Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.
4. Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.
5. Operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of the motion, shape, and composition of blood, organs, tissues, or bodily masses, such as fluid accumulations.
6. Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.
7. Determine whether scope of exam should be extended, based on findings.
8. Obtain and record accurate patient history, including prior test results or information from physical examinations.

## How to use this skill

- Read [references/profile.md](references/profile.md) for the occupation profile and scope.
- Consult [references/tasks.md](references/tasks.md) for the full task and activity inventory.
- Check [references/skills.md](references/skills.md) for essential vs. optional competences.
- Check [references/tools.md](references/tools.md) for the software commonly used in this role.
- See [references/ai-skills.md](references/ai-skills.md) — matched external AI agent skills (per-source attribution).

## Key competences (essential)

- adhere to organisational code of ethics
- analyse X-ray imagery
- apply context specific clinical competences
- apply organisational techniques
- apply radiation protection procedures
- apply radiological health sciences
- calculate exposure to radiation
- communicate in healthcare
- comply with legislation related to health care
- comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice
- conduct cancer screening tests
- conduct radiotherapy computer planning
- contribute to continuity of health care
- deal with emergency care situations
- determine imaging techniques to be performed

## Hot technologies

- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Excel


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## Hot technologies

Top tools from 48 gated job ads (see references/market.md, as of 2026-07-19):

- x-ray equipment — 10 %
- PACS — 8 %

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*Sources: ESCO v1.2.1 (http://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/7639a601-6db0-41ed-9fb0-813d9b8beb05), O*NET 30.3 (29-2032.00). See manifest.json for licensing/attribution.*