17 Imaging Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

An imaging assistant helps prepare patients for diagnostic procedures, assists radiologists during procedures, and helps maintain equipment. If you want to become an imaging assistant, you’ll need to have completed a formal education program and have certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Even if you have the right credentials, you’ll still need to prove you’re the right candidate for the job during an interview. Imaging assistant interview questions will focus on your clinical skills, customer service skills, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment. To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of sample questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working with patients and helping them to feel at ease during medical procedures?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with patients. Your answer should demonstrate that you are a compassionate person who is willing to help others feel comfortable during medical procedures.

Example: “I have always been interested in helping people, so I decided to pursue a career in healthcare. In my previous role as an imaging assistant, I was responsible for preparing the patient for their procedure by explaining what they would experience and answering any questions they had. This helped me develop my communication skills and learn how to put patients at ease. I am passionate about working with patients and ensuring they feel safe and secure throughout their visit.”

What are some of the certifications or training you have that makes you qualified for an imaging assistant position?

Employers may ask this question to learn more about your background and training. They want to know that you have the skills necessary for the job, so they might ask this question to see if you have any certifications or special training in imaging technology. When answering this question, list any relevant certifications or training you have. If you don’t have any certifications or training, explain what experience you have working with imaging equipment.

Example: “I am certified as a radiographer by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. I also completed an online course on how to use medical imaging software. This helped me understand how to use different types of imaging equipment and interpret images.”

How would you handle a situation where a patient was acting aggressively or refused to cooperate with an exam?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to diffuse a situation. In your answer, try to highlight your problem-solving skills and how you would use them to help the patient cooperate with the exam.

Example: “If a patient was acting aggressively or refused to cooperate with an exam, I would first try to calm them down by speaking calmly and reassuringly. If that didn’t work, I would explain the procedure to them in more detail so they understood why it’s important for their health. If they still refused to cooperate, I would alert my supervisor so they could intervene.”

What is your process for maintaining the equipment and other resources in the imaging department?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your organizational skills and attention to detail. Your answer should include a specific process you use for keeping equipment organized, maintaining inventory records and other administrative tasks that support the imaging department’s workflow.

Example: “I have experience using several different software programs for managing patient information and tracking equipment usage. I also use an online database program to keep track of all imaging supplies in the department so we can order more when needed. For example, if I notice a low supply of film or paper, I’ll place an order with our medical supply vendor before it becomes an issue.”

Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond to help a patient and their physician.

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your dedication to helping others and how you might fit into their team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you helped someone who was in need of assistance or support.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, there were many patients who needed extra care and attention during their appointments. One patient had difficulty hearing what the doctor said, so I would repeat everything they said to make sure she understood. Another patient was nervous about getting an MRI scan, so I talked with her for a few minutes before the appointment to calm her nerves.”

If you saw a colleague or physician doing something that put a patient at risk, what would be your course of action?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to speak up when you see something that could negatively impact a patient’s care. In your answer, try to describe how you would handle the situation in a way that is respectful of your colleague or physician while ensuring the safety of the patient.

Example: “If I saw a colleague or physician doing something that put a patient at risk, I would first approach them privately and explain my concerns. If they did not change their behavior after our conversation, I would report it to my supervisor so that they could address the issue.”

What would you do if you noticed a colleague or physician performing an exam in a way that put the patient at risk of injury?

An imaging assistant may be responsible for monitoring the safety of patients during exams. An interviewer might ask this question to learn about your decision-making process in these situations. In your answer, explain how you would handle a colleague or physician who is not following proper procedures.

Example: “If I noticed that a colleague was performing an exam in a way that put the patient at risk, I would first speak with them privately and let them know about my concerns. If they did not change their behavior after our conversation, I would report it to my supervisor so that they could address the situation.”

How well do you perform under pressure? Can you provide an example of a time when you had a tight deadline?

When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you had a tight deadline and how you overcame the challenge. This can show your interviewer that you are capable of handling pressure and performing well under these circumstances.

Example: “I have experience working in a busy environment where I was responsible for scanning patients’ documents while also assisting with other imaging procedures. In my previous role, we were often short-staffed which meant there were times when I had multiple tasks due at once. However, I am used to multitasking and always made sure to prioritize patient safety over meeting deadlines.”

Do you have experience working with imaging software? What programs would you like to learn more about?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with imaging software and how you approach learning new programs. Use your answer to highlight any previous experience working with imaging software, as well as your willingness to learn new programs if needed.

Example: “I have worked with several different imaging software programs in the past, including PACS, DR, CR and CT imaging software. I enjoy learning new imaging software because it’s interesting to see how each program works differently. In my last role, I learned a lot about PET/CT imaging software, which was very interesting.”

When performing an exam, do you prefer to work in a team setting or independently?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you interact with others. Your answer should show that you are a team player who is willing to work collaboratively with others in the workplace.

Example: “I prefer working in a team setting when performing exams because it allows me to share my knowledge with other imaging assistants and gives us all an opportunity to learn from one another. I find that by collaborating with my colleagues, we can provide better care for our patients and ensure they receive quality service. In my previous role as an imaging assistant, I worked alongside two radiologists and three other imaging assistants. We each had different strengths and weaknesses, which allowed us to cover each other’s duties when needed.”

We want to improve our turnaround time for patient exams. What strategy would you suggest to improve our efficiency?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you can improve the efficiency of their department. In your answer, explain a strategy that you used in the past or one that you would implement if given the opportunity.

Example: “I have worked with several imaging departments and noticed that some are more efficient than others. I think it’s important for all departments to have an organized system in place so they know where each patient is at any given time. This allows them to prioritize patients who need exams quickly and get them out of the waiting room as soon as possible. It also helps when there is a clear communication system between staff members so everyone knows what needs to be done.”

Describe your experience with preparing patients for exams.

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with the imaging assistant role and how you interact with patients. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation or time when you helped prepare a patient for an exam.

Example: “In my previous position as an imaging assistant, I assisted in preparing patients for exams by helping them get into their gowns and positioning them on the table. I also made sure they were comfortable during the exam and answered any questions they had. One of my favorite parts of this job was getting to know patients and making them feel at ease before their exams.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your relevant work experience, but also include any other skills or personal qualities that may be beneficial in this position.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others, which is why I chose to pursue a career in healthcare. In my previous roles as imaging assistant, I have learned valuable skills like patience and communication. These skills help me provide excellent customer service to patients and coworkers alike. My ability to multitask and stay organized are also important skills that I use every day.”

Which imaging procedures have you assisted with and which ones would you like to learn more about?

This question helps the interviewer determine your level of experience and interest in learning more about their imaging department. It also shows them that you’re willing to learn new things and take on additional responsibilities. When answering this question, try to include a variety of procedures you’ve assisted with and some you’d like to learn more about.

Example: “In my previous role as an imaging assistant, I assisted with CT scans, MRIs, X-rays and ultrasounds. I would love to learn more about PET scans and nuclear medicine.”

What do you think is the most challenging part of being an imaging assistant?

This question can help interviewers understand what you think about your job and how you approach challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific challenge that you have overcome in the past or something you would like to improve on.

Example: “The most challenging part of being an imaging assistant is when patients are upset because they have to wait for their appointment. I try my best to make sure all patients feel comfortable while waiting by offering them water or magazines. If there’s anything else I can do to make their experience better, I am always open to hearing feedback.”

How often do you think imaging assistants should be trained on new procedures?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you are open to learning new things and how often you think training should occur. Your answer can show your willingness to learn, as well as your understanding of the importance of keeping up with changes in procedures.

Example: “I believe imaging assistants should be trained on new procedures at least once a year. This allows us to refresh our knowledge and ensure we’re performing all tasks correctly. I also think it’s important for imaging assistants to have regular meetings with radiologists so that they can discuss any questions or concerns about their work.”

There is a nationwide shortage of radiologists. How can we encourage more physicians to enter this field?

This question is a great way to assess your knowledge of the healthcare industry and how you can contribute to it. Your answer should include information about why there’s a shortage, what steps are being taken to address it and how you can help encourage more physicians to enter this field.

Example: “There is a nationwide shortage of radiologists because many medical professionals choose to pursue other specialties that offer higher pay. The American College of Radiology has been working with hospitals across the country to provide competitive salaries for radiologists in an effort to attract more talent into this field. I would be happy to volunteer my time to work on these initiatives as well.”