Radiology (the use of X-rays) is just one of the many health care services provided to Army personnel. X-rays help doctors detect injuries and illnesses. As integral members of the radiology team, the radiologic technologists operate X-ray and related equipment used in diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases.

The Radiology Specialist is primarily responsible for operating fixed and portable radiology equipment, as well as supervising radiology activities. Some of your duties as a Radiology Specialist may include:

• Operate fixed and portable radiology equipment
• Read and interpret radiographic requests and physician's orders
• Provide patient care within the radiology area
• Prepare, assemble and adjust instruments, materials and equipment
• Perform radiographic examinations of the upper and lower extremities, vertebral column, trunk and skull
• Perform soft tissue radiographic examinations and bone surveys
• Perform body section radiography, foreign body localization, prenatal, pediatric, urogenital, and radiographic examinations of the digestive, respiratory, vascular and nervous systems
• Develop radiographic image using digital and manual processing
• Apply radiation, electrical and mechanical protective measures
• Utilizes hospital information systems and performs routine patient administration
• Maintain patient locator file, radiographic files and report files
• Inspect and perform operator maintenance on radiology equipment
• Pack, unpack, load and unload radiology equipment, assemble and dissemble radiology equipment and shelters

Job training for a Radiology Specialist requires nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 24 weeks of Advanced Individual Training, including practice with radiological equipment. Some of the skills you'll learn are:

Patient Care in Radiology, Introduction to Radiology, Medical Ethics and Law, Medical Terminology, Human Structure and Function, Principles of Radiographic Exposure, Imaging Equipment, Radiographic Film Processing, Radiographic Procedures, Evaluation of Radiographs, Radiation Physics, Principles of Radiation Protection, Principles of Radiation Biology, Radiographic Pathology, Introduction to Quality Assurance, Introduction to Computer Literacy, Field Radiography, Radiographic Procedures Laboratory and Clinical Education.

Helpful attributes include:

• An interest in algebra, biology and other sciences
• An interest in activities requiring accuracy and attention to detail
• An ability to follow strict standards and procedures
• An interest in helping others

Advanced level Radiology Specialist provides guidance, supervises and trains other Soldiers within the same discipline. As an advanced level Radiology Specialist, you may be involved in:

• Disseminate radiographic reports
• Operate fixed and portable radiology equipment
• Assemble radiographs for reading
• Perform body section, prenatal and pediatric radiographic procedures
• Perform follow-up radiographic examinations of the digestive, urogenital, respiratory, vascular and nervous systems
• Assist with special radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures
• Requisition and maintain necessary levels of radiographic/medical supplies
• Evaluate radiographic personnel performance
• Supervise packing, loading, unpacking, assembly and dissembling of radiology equipment and shelters

The skills you learn as a Radiology Specialist will help prepare you for a future as an X-ray technologist or a Nuclear Medicine Technologist (see prerequisites for the Nuclear Medicine School) with civilian hospitals diagnostic clinics and medical laboratories. You may also be interested in specializing in various areas of radiology. The certifications available to you after continued study and experience are: Registered Technologist (Radiography) and Registered Technologist (Nuclear Medicine Technologist). Certain restrictions apply and specific educational criteria must be met before you can qualify for certification.

• Pharmacy Specialist (68Q)
• Health Care Specialist (68W)
• Medical Laboratory Specialist (68K)
• Operating Room Specialist (68D)
• Preventive Medicine Specialist (68S)

Learn more about the relationship between military training and civilian certification requirements.