Description
Diagnose and manage disorders of bones, joints, and soft tissues using radiography, MRI, CT, and ultrasound. Perform image-guided musculoskeletal procedures and collaborate with care teams to guide treatment.
- • Participate in MSK imaging quality improvement and peer learning to reduce error risk.
- • Participate in continuing education to maintain and advance MSK expertise.
- • Develop imaging and interventional plans for musculoskeletal conditions.
- • Establish and enforce radiation, MRI, and ultrasound safety standards.
- • Review and transmit images and reports through PACS and voice recognition systems.
- • Recognize and manage complications of MSK procedures, such as bleeding, infection, vasovagal events, or contrast reactions.
- • Prepare comprehensive MSK interpretive reports with actionable recommendations.
- • Obtain focused musculoskeletal histories from records, interviews, and referring clinicians.
- • Confer with orthopedic surgeons, rheumatologists, sports medicine, oncologists, and emergency physicians on image-based diagnoses.
- • Instruct technologists in MSK positioning, protocols, and projections.
- • Document the performance, interpretation, and outcomes of all MSK procedures.
- • Develop and monitor procedures to ensure quality control and dose optimization for MSK images.
- • Coordinate MSK radiology services with clinics, operating rooms, and rehabilitation services.
- • Provide counseling to patients about MSK procedures, risks, benefits, and alternatives, and give post-procedure instructions.
- • Communicate urgent and routine MSK findings to referring clinicians, patients, or families as appropriate.
- • Perform ultrasound- or fluoroscopy-guided joint injections and aspirations, including arthrocentesis and arthrograms.
- • Perform image-guided biopsies of bone and soft-tissue lesions.
- • Perform peritendinous, bursal, and tendon sheath injections and calcific tendinopathy lavage.
- • Perform or interpret diagnostic MSK imaging, including radiographs, MRI, CT, and ultrasound, including dynamic ultrasound evaluations.
- • Protocol and tailor MSK imaging examinations to the clinical question and patient factors, including metal artifact reduction.
- • Check and approve the quality of MSK images before patients are discharged or examinations are completed.
- • Advise clinicians on the indications, limitations, and risks of MSK imaging and image-guided therapies.
- • Compare and select appropriate MSK imaging modalities, such as radiography, ultrasound, MRI, CT, or weight-bearing CT.
- • Direct MSK technologists regarding desired techniques, coil selection, slice orientation, and sequence parameters.
- • Establish and enforce contrast administration practices, screening, and aseptic technique for MSK procedures.
- • Develop service line workflows, protocols, and scheduling for MSK imaging and interventions.
- • Review exam requests and medical histories to determine appropriateness and optimize protocols.
- • Teach MSK radiology and procedures to residents, fellows, and technologists.
- • Participate in multidisciplinary conferences, such as orthopedic tumor board and sports medicine rounds.
- • Track outcomes and participate in registries or audits for MSK interventions.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
