Is Being an X-Ray Tech a Stressful Job

A female radiation therapist is looking at medical equipment

X-ray is a critical method for diagnosing medical conditions and injuries. All healthcare organizations in and around Miami require x-ray technicians who are responsible for positioning patients, maintaining x-ray equipment and taking high-quality images. 

If you’re considering a career as an x-ray technician, you may wonder just how stressful your days might be. To get a feel for what you can expect, let’s dive into what a day in the life of an x-ray technician may look like.

A Day in the Life of an X-Ray Technician

Most x-ray technicians will either work the day shift or night shift, depending on employer and facility. Once you arrive, you may start your day looking over your schedule for the day or wrapping up any remaining tasks from the day before.

Your main responsibilities will be to make patients feel comfortable, position them for their x-ray and take the required images based on a physician’s order. You may also be responsible for discussing results with physicians and inputting data into the patient medical record.

You may wrap up your day by calling patients who missed appointments or those who need to make future appointments. You’ll also check your x-ray equipment to ensure it’s in good working condition for the next day.

Work Environment Matters When It Comes to Stress Levels

As you can see, an x-ray technician’s daily work is typically straightforward. However, the work environment you choose matters. For example, working in an emergency department could be more stressful than working in a clinic. After all, you’ll be working with emergency situations that often involve trauma.

Regardless of where you choose to work, there will be times when you’ll need to comfort patients going through difficult times. You may also need to deal with packed x-ray schedules and strenuous days.

Overall, while there are stressful moments in any medical career, you’ll also find your work to be rewarding. You’re playing a key role in ensuring patients receive the medical care they need. Your images will help physicians determine the treatment necessary to fix broken bones, eliminate illnesses and so much more.

Want to Learn More About Our Miami X-Ray Technician Program?

A career in radiologic technology is a great option for students ready to enter the medical field. Are you interested in a career as an x-ray technician? Have questions about our Miami Radiologic Technology program? We’re here to help. To learn more about the program or to apply today, give us a call at 877-206-4279 or send us a message.

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