"How to Write a Radiologic Technologist Resume"

A radiologic technologist resume has to prove you produce quality diagnostic images safely: certified, technically skilled, and caring with patients. Employers screen first for ARRT certification and modality experience. "Took X-rays" undersells a precise clinical role. Here's how to write a radiologic technologist resume that lands interviews.

What a Rad Tech Resume Needs to Prove

Certification — your ARRT credential and state license.
Imaging skills — the modalities you're competent in.
Patient care and safety — positioning, comfort, and radiation safety.
Image quality — accurate, diagnostic-quality images.

Imaging is precise clinical work. Lead with credentials and modality skill.

Put Certification Up Top

Certification: ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists).
State license as required.
Modality certifications: CT, MRI, mammography, and BLS.

Put these near the top — an applicant tracking system (ATS — the software that screens resumes before a person does) and employers check them first.

Lead With Modalities and Skills

Show the imaging you perform and the patient volume:

"Performed 40+ diagnostic X-ray exams daily with consistent image quality."
"Cross-trained in CT and produced diagnostic-quality scans."
"Positioned patients accurately while ensuring radiation safety (ALARA)."
"Maintained imaging equipment and quality-control standards."

The pattern: the imaging task → how you did it → the quality/safety result. Modalities and image quality are what employers look for. (See resume action verbs.)

Show Your Technical Skills

Modalities: X-ray, CT, MRI, fluoroscopy, mammography (your competencies).
Positioning and exam protocols.
Radiation safety and ALARA principles.
PACS/RIS and imaging systems.
Patient care and assessment.
Equipment operation and QC.

Naming the modalities and systems makes the resume concrete and ATS-friendly.

Demonstrate Patient Care and Safety

Imaging is patient-facing and safety-critical: clear communication, positioning comfort, and strict radiation safety. Show these — they matter as much as technical skill. (For related clinical roles, see how to write a nursing resume and the medical assistant resume guide.)

New Graduate? Here's How

Lead with your ARRT certification and program, clinical rotations (treat as experience — modalities, exam counts), and transferable strengths. Lead with certification rather than an empty history — see writing an entry-level resume with no experience.

Keep It ATS-Readable

Clean, single-column, standard-section layout.
Mirror the keywords in the posting (ARRT, the modalities, PACS, the role title).
Use a standard title (Radiologic Technologist, Rad Tech, X-Ray Technologist).

More in our guide to writing an ATS-friendly resume.

Common Mistakes

Burying certification — ARRT is a top screen.
Vague duties — "took X-rays" without modalities or image quality.
No modality detail — CT/MRI competencies signal value.
No safety signal — radiation safety is central.
An empty resume as a new grad — lead with ARRT and rotations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a radiologic technologist put on a resume?

Lead with your ARRT certification and license, the modalities you're competent in (X-ray, CT, MRI), and image quality and patient care. Note PACS/RIS systems and radiation safety, quantify exam volume, and keep it ATS-readable.

Where does my ARRT certification go on a resume?

Near the top — in your summary or a credentials line, with your state license. ARRT is a top screen, often required, so don't bury it. Include modality certifications (CT, MRI, mammography) and BLS.

How do I quantify a radiologic technologist resume?

Use imaging numbers: exams performed per day, modalities, image quality/repeat rates, and patient volume. "Performed 40+ X-ray exams daily with consistent image quality" shows productive, quality work better than "took X-rays."

What modalities should be on a rad tech resume?

The ones you're competent and certified in — X-ray, CT, MRI, fluoroscopy, mammography — listed clearly. Cross-training in CT or MRI is a strong differentiator, so feature it. Name your competencies for credibility and ATS matching.

A radiologic technologist resume should reflect the role — certified, technically skilled, and safety-focused. PrismResume helps you put your ARRT front and center and turn "took X-rays" into modality skills and image-quality results, in a clean, ATS-readable layout. Try the free resume check at prismresume.com.