How To Become An Imaging Assistant: What It Is and Career Path

What is an imaging assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

An imaging assistant is responsible for processing and developing raw films into quality images in the radiological department of a hospital. You will work with technologists to set up and check imaging equipment and also be in charge of maintaining them. The imaging assistant also works with patients by giving them necessary information and answering every one of their questions.

They assist the technologists with patients' health care, and they ensure that the hospital or clinic environment is well tidied up. An imaging assistant enters the data and every information of the patients into the hospital's computer system. They may also perform other duties assigned to them by the technologists.

Imaging assistants may work in hospitals, clinical laboratories, and other medical facilities. For this role, you will need a bachelor's degree in medical imaging technology. To perform well as an imaging assistant, you need to have good interpersonal skills and also have a sound knowledge of imaging technologies. The average salary of an imaging assistant is $31,000 annually.

ScoreImaging AssistantUS Average

Salary

2.6

Avg. Salary $33,188

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

7.9

Growth Rate 6%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.70%

Asian 9.48%

Black or African American 10.64%

Hispanic or Latino 17.68%

Unknown 5.13%

White 56.37%

Gender

female 62.01%

male 37.99%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress Level

7.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

7.5

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

9.4

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an imaging assistant

Explore imaging assistant education requirements

Most common imaging assistant degrees

Bachelor's

44.9 %

Associate

27.7 %

High School Diploma

15.2 %

Start to develop specific imaging assistant skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	22.61%
Patient Care	10.48%
BLS	6.64%
Customer Service	6.34%
Medical Terminology	4.89%

Complete relevant imaging assistant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New imaging assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an imaging assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real imaging assistant resumes.

Research imaging assistant duties and responsibilities

Maintain and manage database with clinical details and digital radiology imaging.
Assist with digital patient records; formatting an/or uploading of film-base or digital images into PACS.
Prepare patients for MRI's by kindly greeting them, screening them and thoroughly explaining the procedure.
Maintain standard precautions and aseptic techniques and used EMR for charting.

Prepare your imaging assistant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your imaging assistant resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an imaging assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Imaging Assistant Resume templates

Build a professional Imaging Assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Imaging Assistant resume.

Apply for imaging assistant jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an imaging assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams