Overview

The radiology specialist is primarily responsible for operating X-ray and related equipment used in diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases.

Job Duties

• Perform body section radiography, foreign body localization, prenatal, pediatric, urogenital and radiographic examinations of the digestive, respiratory, vascular and nervous systems
  
• Operate fixed and portable radiology equipment
  
• Prepare, assemble and adjust instruments, materials and equipment
  
• Inspect and perform operator maintenance on radiology equipment

Training

Job training for a radiology specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 24 weeks of Advanced Individual Training, including practice with radiological equipment.

Some of the skills you’ll learn are:

• Patient care in radiology
  
• Medical ethics and law
  
• Human structure and function
  
• Principles of radiation protection
  
• Field radiography

Helpful Skills

• Interest in algebra, biology and other sciences
  
• High attention to detail
  
• Ability to follow strict standards and procedures
  
• Enjoy helping others

Required ASVAB Score(s)

Learn more about the ASVAB and see what jobs you could qualify for.

Compensation

Total compensation includes housing, medical, food, special pay, and vacation time. Learn more about total compensation.

Future Civilian Careers

The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career as an X-ray technologist or a nuclear medicine technologist with hospitals, diagnostic clinics and medical laboratories.

The certifications available to you after continued study and experience are registered technologist (radiography) and registered technologist (nuclear medicine technologist). Specific educational criteria must be met before you can qualify for certification.