A Radiologist is a physician who performs diagnostic tests, interprets results, and determines possible treatment. These tests include X-ray, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT scan (computed tomography), PET scan (positron emission tomography), and ultrasound.
Radiologists perform some diagnostic testing; including biopsies that need to be guided by an imaging device. They read all of the x-ray and diagnostic images and give a possible or definitive diagnosis and generate reports to be sent to the ordering physicians. They can work long hours in a fast-paced environment such as hospitals or radiology practices. They may also work in smaller clinics in an on-site radiology department that handles fewer emergencies.
As in the case of most health careers, the pathway to becoming a radiologist is long and tedious, but if you’re interested in this career path, it is well worth the hard work.
Education Requirements
- Start in high school. In high school, you will need to focus your studies in math and the sciences. It is extra helpful to focus on anatomy and physiology. You will need to get a 3.0 or higher GPA and take advanced preparatory classes for acceptance into a four-year university and medical school.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree. Your first step in radiology training is to complete a four-year Bachelor’s Degree along with the appropriate radiology courses. You can enroll in an online school and get your degree in radiology by doing some of your coursework at home. Although not required, a science major proves helpful. But if you are not interested in a degree in science, at least take extensive science and math subjects like biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics and algebra. Make sure to complete your bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution and earn a GPA of 3.0 or higher to make you qualified for a medical school.
- Take the MCAT. During your junior year, you need to take a Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This exam will gauge your abilities and readiness for a medical education. You need to get at least a score of 24 to be able to enroll in a medical school.
- Enroll in Medical School. When choosing a medical school, remember to check the listing of all the accredited medical schools. The listing is provided on the Association of American Medical College’s website. Enrolling in an accredited medical school means you will get the proper training and education required of a Radiologist. Medical school education is another four years, with the first two years dedicated to classroom teachings and laboratory works and the remaining two years allocated for different specialties. It is in the fourth year that you will have to decide on your specialty, which in this case will be radiology.
- Complete a residency program. After medical school, you need to take a residency program, also referred to as post-graduate training. This typically runs for four to five years. In your first year, you will concentrate more on general medicine. The remaining years will cover radiology itself. The National Resident Matching Program will help you find the right residency program for you.
- Choose a radiology sub-specialty. Radiology sub-specialties include, but are not limited to, pediatric, oncology and interventional. Pediatric radiology focuses on performing radiation diagnosis and treatment for children, while radiation oncology is dedicated to treating cancer patients. Interventional radiology is involved in performing diagnosis and treatment using invasive methods. Your training in a sub-specialty means allocating another two years for a fellowship program.
- Get certified and licensed. The final “must have” requirement for becoming a Radiologist is getting certified and licensed. To elevate your status as a Radiologist, you need to go through different exams for certification and licensure. Exams usually include oral, written, cognitive and clinical tests. Certifications are given by the American Board of Radiology and the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology. Requirements include completion of a residency program and training. A license, on the other hand, is issued after passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination.
Job Opportunities
As a radiologist, you can work in a hospital radiology department, urgent care center, industrial medicine, major medical centers, physician clinics, private physician offices, cancer centers, and stand-alone radiology groups.
Salary and Job Outlook
Radiologists that are hospital based make an average salary of around $377,000 per year. Interventional radiologists make around $475,000 per year, because they do more invasive testing and treatments. Radiologists that work in a physician clinic or office make less at around $265,000 to $280,000 per year, but have the benefit of a slower paced environment.
The job outlook for radiologists is very good and this career is expected to grow 22% by the year 2018. More and more physician clinics are opening radiology departments and hospitals are expanding. You even have the opportunity of opening your own radiology private practice.
Radiology is a unique and exciting practice in the medical field. As a radiologist you will be a medical doctor that specializes in diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology for treatment of diseases. This career can be stressful at times, but interesting and rewarding. If you have a passion for science and diagnostic medicine, then radiology just might be the right career path for you.