When you step into the imaging suite, it’s easy to focus on anatomy, positioning, and exposure technique. Yet, before the x-ray beam ever fires, another form of precision is already at work — the unseen coordination between patient safety, medical equipment, and observation. This is the quiet discipline that defines professionalism in radiography: knowing not just how to take an image, but how to care for the human being connected to the machines.
A great Radiologic Technologist is not just a skilled i...
When you walk into the imaging suite, it’s easy to be drawn to the technology — the hum of the generator, the glow of the console, the precision of the equipment. But beneath the machinery lies an even greater instrument: you.
As a Radiologic Technologist, your body is both a tool and a teacher. Every movement — lifting a patient, positioning a cassette, transferring a stretcher — becomes an act of biomechanics. Mastering ergonomics isn’t about comfort alone; it’s about longevity, safety, and precisi...
When a patient steps into the imaging suite, they bring with them more than a referral slip — they bring uncertainty. Some arrive silent, others anxious, still others brimming with questions. In those moments, your ability to educate becomes as essential as your ability to expose.
Patient education is not merely an obligation; it is an act of empowerment. It transforms patients from passive subjects into informed participants in their own care. As Instructor Erica Dellis emphasizes, communication is th...
When you enter an imaging suite, it’s easy to focus on the machine: the hum of the generator, the glow of the monitor, the rhythm of the workflow. But beneath all of this, there is a quieter current — one that powers everything you do in patient care: communication.
Interpersonal communication is more than words. It is the art of connecting science with humanity — of translating anatomy and physics into empathy and trust. As Instructor Erica Dellis explains, communication shapes every moment of interac...
There’s a moment every student in radiography faces: when the material stops feeling like test content and starts feeling like a mirror. The ARRT® Standards of Ethics are that mirror. They reflect not just what you know, but who you are becoming — the kind of technologist who deserves the trust of patients, colleagues, and the profession itself.
The Standards of Ethics, published by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists® (ARRT®), are far more than a list of professional rules. They are the ...
The Intersection of Law and Ethics in Radiography
Every profession operates within the twin boundaries of law and ethics — but few carry the profound responsibility that radiologic technologists do. As a future radiographer, you assume a dual role of trust and precision: delivering technically flawless diagnostic imaging while safeguarding patient dignity, safety, and rights.
In radiography, the law defines the limits of action, while ethics gives those limits meaning and integrity. Together, they cre...
Every radiologic technologist begins their journey with a simple yet profound realization: every patient who steps before your imaging table is entrusting you with something sacred. It’s not just their body being scanned — it’s their story, their dignity, their vulnerability. To protect that trust is not a procedural duty; it is the essence of your professional identity.
In the language of radiologic ethics, patients’ rights are not abstract principles. They are living guardrails — moral and legal stan...
Teaching is the best way to grow in any discipline. This is what I tell the students who take the 21 Day Challenge... “if you want to learn, you have to approach your studies as if you were going to teach it to someone else.” And I have them do that as part of the assignment each day.
It all starts with notes. And I want to share something with you that I was meditating on early this morning (at the time of this writing).
If you don't know the difference between note-Taking and note-Making, you'll con...
I recently interviewed for a senior position, and it went really well. As I reflected on what made it successful, I started wondering if the same principles could apply to a radiologic technologist interviewing for an x-ray role. Turns out—they do.
Part 1: Entering the Arena
Between July and October of 2021, we saw millions of Americans leaving their jobs, opening up an extraordinary number of healthcare positions—including in radiologic technology. If you’re a recent graduate from an x-ray program, y...
How the New Imaging Assistant (IAMR) Credential Redefines the MR Experience
As healthcare evolves at an accelerating pace, our ability to deliver high-quality, safe, and human-centered care hinges not just on technology—but on teams. The future of patient experience will be shaped not by the machines in the room, but by the people who guide patients through them.
That’s why the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT®) is making a bold move that puts people at the center of one of medicine...
Legal knowledge is a critical, yet often underestimated, component of professional competence for Radiologic Technologists (RTs). While technical proficiency and patient care are front and center in daily practice, it is the understanding and application of legal principles that ensures safety, ethical integrity, and protection—both for the patient and the practitioner.
This comprehensive blog series explores the foundational legal issues that intersect with the responsibilities of radiologic technologis...
In the complex world of healthcare, patients are often placed in vulnerable positions, relying on professionals not just for treatment, but also for advocacy and respect. This is where patients’ rights come into focus—a framework that ensures individuals receive care that respects their dignity, autonomy, and legal entitlements. Whether in a hospital, clinic, or diagnostic imaging center, understanding these rights helps patients make informed decisions and safeguards them against unethical practices.
On...
