| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Allied Health |
| Level | Entry level |
| Reports to | Radiologist |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | Fresher or up to 4 years in radiography |
X-Ray Technician job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: X-Ray Technician
Department: Allied Health
Reports to: Radiologist
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
An X-Ray Technician takes radiographs that doctors and radiologists use to diagnose injury and disease. They position patients, set exposure factors, capture clear images, and follow radiation safety for patients, staff and themselves. The role reports to the Radiologist or radiology in-charge. A good x-ray technician produces diagnostic quality images with correct positioning and minimal repeats, keeps radiation doses as low as reasonable, and manages a steady outpatient, ward and emergency load safely.
Key responsibilities
- Verify the request and patient, and explain the x-ray before starting.
- Position the patient and the part correctly for the requested view.
- Set exposure factors for a clear image at the lowest reasonable dose.
- Capture radiographs and check them for quality and correct anatomy.
- Follow radiation protection with shielding, collimation and safe practice.
- Attend ward and emergency x-ray requests with the portable machine.
- Ask about pregnancy and take extra care with children and vulnerable patients.
- Process and transfer images to the radiologist through the imaging system.
- Do daily equipment checks and report faults for service.
- Keep patient records, labelling and imaging data accurate for every study.
Requirements
- Diploma or BSc in Radiography or Medical Imaging
- Radiation safety training
- Registration where required
- Fresher or up to 4 years in radiography
KRAs and KPIs for a X-Ray Technician
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Image quality | Diagnostic quality images accepted by the radiologist on at least 97 percent of studies |
| Repeat rate | Repeat exposures from positioning or technique held below the monthly target |
| Radiation safety | Radiation protection followed with dose kept as low as reasonable on every study |
| Turnaround | Routine and emergency x-rays completed within the agreed time |
| Equipment | Daily equipment checks done and faults reported before breakdown |
| Records | Patient details and images labelled correctly with no mix-up |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: X-ray machine, Portable x-ray unit, Digital radiography detector, Lead aprons and shields, PACS workstation.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Senior X-Ray Technician, CT Technician, MRI Technician
Interview questions for a X-Ray Technician
- How do you position a patient for a chest x-ray to get a good image?
- How do you set exposure factors to keep the dose low but the image clear?
- What radiation protection steps do you follow for yourself and the patient?
- How do you handle an x-ray request for a patient who may be pregnant?
- How do you take a portable x-ray on a bedbound ward patient?
- Tell me about a time you reduced repeat exposures in your work.
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What does an x-ray technician do?
An x-ray technician takes radiographs that doctors and radiologists use to diagnose injury and disease. They verify the request, position patients correctly, set exposure factors, and capture clear images at the lowest reasonable dose. They follow radiation safety, attend ward and emergency requests with portable machines, and keep records and equipment in order.
Is an x-ray technician job safe with radiation?
An x-ray technician works with radiation, but the job is safe when protection is followed. Technicians use lead shielding, collimation, distance and monitoring badges to keep their dose low, and they follow strict safety practice for patients too. Proper training and disciplined radiation protection make it a safe, established allied health career.
What qualifications do you need to be an x-ray technician?
Most x-ray technicians hold a diploma or BSc in radiography or medical imaging, with radiation safety training and registration where required. Employers look for accurate radiographic positioning, correct exposure settings, strong radiation protection, and the ability to manage a busy outpatient, ward and emergency load while keeping image quality high.