Clinical Skills Required for Examination by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)

Radiologic Technologist

• Evaluate the need for and use of protective shielding
• Take appropriate precautions to minimize radiation exposure to patients.
• Restrict beam to limit exposure area, improve image quality and reduce radiation dose.
• Set kilovolt peak (kVp) level, milliamperage (mA), and time (s) or automate exposure system to achieve optimal image quality, safe operating conditions, and minimum radiation dose.
• Prevent all unnecessary persons from remaining in area during x-ray exposure.
• Take appropriate precautions to minimize occupational radiation exposure.
• Wear a personnel radiation monitoring device while on duty.
• Review and evaluate individual occupational exposure reports.
• Warm up the xray tube according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Prepare and adjust radiographic imaging system and accessories.
• Prepare and adjust the fluoroscopic imaging system and accessories.
• Recognize and report malfunctions in the radiographic or fluoroscopic imaging system and accessories.
• Perform basic evaluations of radiographic equipment and accessories like lead aprons, collimator accuracy.
• Inspect and clean screens and cassettes.
• Perform startup or shutdown procedures on automatic film processor
• Recognize and report malfunctions in the automatic processor.
• Recognize and report malfunctions in the automatic processor.
• Process exposed film.
• Reload cassettes by selecting film of proper size and type.
• Store film or cassette by selecting film of proper size and type.
• Store firm or cassettes in a manner that will reduce the possibility or artifact production.
• Select appropriate firm and screen combination or grid.
• Determine appropriate exposure factors using calipers, technique charts and tube rating charts.
• Modify exposure factors for circumstances such as involuntary motion, casts and splints, pathologic conditions, or patient’s inability to cooperate.
• Use radiopaque markers to indicate anatomic side, position, or other relevant information.
• Evaluate patient and radiographs to determine if additional projections or positions should be recommended.
• Evaluate radiographs for diagnostic quality.
• Determine corrective measures if radiograph is not of diagnostic quality and take appropriate action.
• Select equipment and accessories for the examination requested.
• Remove all radiopaque materials from patient or table that could interfere with the radiographic image.