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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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32121.01 – Radiological technologists

Radiological technologists operate radiographic and other equipment to produce images of body structures for the diagnosis of disease and injury. Medical radiation technologists who are supervisors or instructors are included in this occupation.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Mammography technician
  • Radiological technician
  • Radiological technologist
  • X-ray (radiology) technician

Core competencies

  • Operation and Control to operate X-ray, radiographic and fluoroscopic equipment, computerized tomography (CT) scanners and mammography units to produce radiographs or anatomic images
  • Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment to monitor the quality of images produced and equipment operation to identify malfunctions
  • Near Vision to perform detailed work with imaging equipment and see fine details in the images produced
  • Problem Identification and Deductive Reasoning to troubleshoot equipment problems to determine likely causes requiring repair
  • Attention to Detail to position patients correctly and set imaging parameters to capture the needed information
  • Knowledge in Biology to interpret images accurately and understand how various diseases and injuries manifest in the body

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Operate X-ray, radiographic and fluoroscopic equipment, computerized tomography (CT) scanners and mammography units to produce radiographs or anatomic images of the human body for the diagnosis by radiologists of disease or injury
  • Record and process patient data
  • Perform basic verification and quality control checks on radiographic and film processing equipment
  • Provide appropriate care and monitoring of the patient during the radiographic examination
  • Explain procedures, position patient and equipment and apply radiation protection measures
  • May train and supervise student radiographers or supervise other radiological technologists.

Additional information

  • There is no mobility between the four types of medical radiation technologists without further training.
  • Experience as a medical radiation technologist is required for supervisors and instructors.
  • Radiological technologists may specialize in areas such as computerized tomography, angiography, mammography or interventional radiology.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians (32104)
  • Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists (32123)
  • Medical laboratory technologists (32120)
  • Medical sonographers (32122)
  • Other medical technologists and technicians (32129)
  • Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists (32103)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

3 – Health occupations

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

32 – Technical occupations in health

Sub-major group

321 – Technical occupations in health (except practitioners of natural healing)

Minor group

3212 – Medical technologists and technicians

Unit group

32121 – Medical radiation technologists

Occupational profile

32121.01 – Radiological technologists

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 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. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.