Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.

Operate diagnostic imaging equipment. is a detailed work activity in O*NET — a concrete unit of work shared across 17 occupations and seen in 30 occupation-specific tasks. It rolls up into the broader work activity Operate medical equipment. in Controlling Machines and Processes .

Detailed work activities are the most granular shared layer in O*NET's work-activity hierarchy (Generalized → Intermediate → Detailed → occupation-specific task). The figures below describe how this activity shows up across the economy and what independent studies measure about AI and this kind of work — not a prediction that the work will be automated.

AI exposure

Of the 30 tasks under this activity that the OpenAI / Eloundou “GPTs are GPTs” study rated, 23 (77%) are flagged as directly exposed to language models (E1) or exposed via model-powered tools (E2).

The Anthropic Economic Index observes real AI use on 2 of these tasks, with a mean mapped-usage share of 0.003% per task.

Exposure estimates overlap with model capabilities — whether a model could speed the task up — not whether the work will be done by software. Observed AI use is augmentation and assistance today, not jobs replaced.

Member tasks

Occupation-specific tasks O*NET maps to this detailed work activity, most important first.

• Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination. · Radiologic Technologists and Technicians · importance 5.0 · exposure with tools
• Perform or interpret the outcomes of diagnostic imaging procedures including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), nuclear cardiology treadmill studies, mammography, or ultrasound. · Radiologists · importance 4.9 · exposure with tools
• Operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners. · Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists · importance 4.9 · exposure with tools
• Detect and map radiopharmaceuticals in patients' bodies, using a camera to produce photographic or computer images. · Nuclear Medicine Technologists · importance 4.9 · exposure with tools
• Operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of the motion, shape, and composition of blood, organs, tissues, or bodily masses, such as fluid accumulations. · Diagnostic Medical Sonographers · importance 4.8 · no direct exposure
• Examine patients using equipment, such as radiograph (x-ray) machines or fluoroscopes, to determine the nature and extent of disorder or injury. · Urologists · importance 4.8 · exposure with tools
• Identify and outline bodily structures, using imaging procedures, such as x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, or positron emission tomography. · Medical Dosimetrists · importance 4.8 · exposure with tools
• Place and secure small, portable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners on body part to be imaged, such as arm, leg, or head. · Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists · importance 4.8 · exposure with tools
• Examine teeth, gums, and related tissues, using dental instruments, x-rays, or other diagnostic equipment, to evaluate dental health, diagnose diseases or abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments. · Dentists, General · importance 4.8 · exposure with tools
• Operate mobile x-ray equipment in operating room, emergency room, or at patient's bedside. · Radiologic Technologists and Technicians · importance 4.7 · no direct exposure
• Operate or oversee operation of radiologic or magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes. · Radiologic Technologists and Technicians · importance 4.7 · exposure with tools
• Perform procedures, such as linear tomography, mammography, sonograms, joint and cyst aspirations, routine contrast studies, routine fluoroscopy, or examinations of the head, trunk, or extremities under supervision of physician. · Radiologic Technologists and Technicians · importance 4.6 · exposure with tools
• Operate diagnostic imaging equipment to produce contrast enhanced radiographs of heart and cardiovascular system. · Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians · importance 4.6 · exposure with tools
• Order, perform, or interpret the results of diagnostic tests, such as complete blood counts (CBCs), electrocardiograms (EKGs), and radiographs (x-rays). · Nurse Practitioners · importance 4.6 · exposure with tools
• Supervise or perform simulations for tumor localizations, using imaging methods such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, or positron emission tomography scans. · Medical Dosimetrists · importance 4.6 · exposure with tools
• Adjust equipment to optimize viewing of the nervous system. · Neurodiagnostic Technologists · importance 4.6 · no direct exposure
• Record and store suitable images, using camera unit connected to the ultrasound equipment. · Diagnostic Medical Sonographers · importance 4.6 · exposure with tools
• Operate diagnostic equipment, such as radiographic or ultrasound equipment, and interpret the resulting images. · Veterinarians · importance 4.5 · exposure with tools
• Collect ophthalmic measurements or other diagnostic information, using ultrasound equipment, such as A-scan ultrasound biometry or B-scan ultrasonography equipment. · Ophthalmic Medical Technologists · importance 4.5 · exposure with tools
• Create and transfer reference images and localization markers for treatment delivery, using image-guided radiation therapy. · Medical Dosimetrists · importance 4.5 · exposure with tools
• Perform or evaluate the results of diagnostic tests, such as radiographs (x-rays) and electrocardiograms (EKGs). · Nurse Anesthetists · importance 4.4 · exposure with tools
• Operate fluoroscope to aid physician to view and guide wire or catheter through blood vessels to area of interest. · Radiologic Technologists and Technicians · importance 4.4 · no direct exposure
• Photograph treated area of patient and process film. · Radiation Therapists · importance 4.4 · exposure with tools
• Take and develop diagnostic radiographs, using x-ray equipment. · Veterinary Technologists and Technicians · importance 4.4 · exposure with tools
• Create three-dimensional images of the eye, using computed tomography (CT). · Ophthalmic Medical Technologists · importance 4.2 · exposure with tools
• Perform approved therapeutic or diagnostic procedures, based upon patients' clinical status. · Critical Care Nurses · importance 4.2 · no direct exposure
• Operate optical systems to capture dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, such as functional brain imaging, real-time organ motion tracking, or musculoskeletal anatomy and trajectory visualization. · Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists · importance 4.1 · exposure with tools
• Photograph patients' eye areas, using clinical photography techniques, to document retinal or corneal defects. · Ophthalmic Medical Technologists · importance 4.0 · exposure with tools
• Load and unload film cassettes used to record images from procedures. · Diagnostic Medical Sonographers · importance 3.4 · no direct exposure
• Operate diagnostic imaging equipment to produce contrast-enhanced radiographs of heart and cardiovascular system. · Cardiologists · no direct exposure

Occupations that perform this

• Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
• Radiologists
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
• Nuclear Medicine Technologists
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
• Urologists
• Medical Dosimetrists
• Dentists, General
• Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
• Nurse Practitioners
• Neurodiagnostic Technologists
• Veterinarians
• Nurse Anesthetists
• Radiation Therapists
• Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
• Critical Care Nurses
• Cardiologists

Sources for this page

Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.

• O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
• Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27) Anthropic
• “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic

Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.

@misc{singulariki-operate-diagnostic-imaging-equipment,
  title  = {Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.},
  author = {{Singulariki}},
  year   = {2026},
  note   = {O*NET 30.3; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130. Accessed June 7, 2026},
  url    = {https://singulariki.com/detailed-activities/operate-diagnostic-imaging-equipment}
}