Read our interview with radiologic technologist, Katelyn Haug! Becoming a radiologic technician , diagnostic medical sonographer, or other medical imaging professional can be achieved in a relatively short time period.
The best credentials are a combination of formal training, a professional license, and work experience. The shortest training programs can take less than a year, but as with most jobs, workers with more training may have an easier time securing employment and earning their desired salaries.
The following are a few educational paths students can take toward becoming skilled radiology technicians with a competitive edge and high employability. Radiology techs work with imaging equipment and machines to produce x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging MRIs , computed tomography CT scans, and other images of internal organs, bones, and tissue, so that doctors can examine and diagnose potential injury or illness without invasive procedures.
Sometimes called radiographers, radiology technicians and technologists can work in general medicine or specialize in one area of the body or one type of medical imaging. Regardless of your specialization choices, the best way to advance in your career as a radiology tech is to complete the proper training and get work experience.
Most states require radiology technicians to be licensed. And the vast majority of employers want to see all of their radiology techs certified. Having at least some kind of credential to prove that you have been trained and exhibited potential in the field is crucial for getting employment.
Once you have your license, you must complete at least 24 hours of continuing-education classes every two years to renew your license. These regular infusions of knowledge keep you current with new technologies and research in your field. You can also pursue an advanced degree in radiological technology, diagnostic medical sonography, or another related field.
Your exact salary will depend not just on education, but also on your recommendations, the facility and geographic location where you work, and your previous work experience. Not only is this considered an advanced and important field in medicine, but you'll walk away from your day knowing you helped a patient on the the road to recovery.
In this article, we define the role of a radiologist, the steps needed to become one and the duration of educational studies and training required. A radiologist is a medical professional who specializes in medical imaging procedures such as X-rays, ultrasounds or MRIs. These procedures help diagnose a variety of patient conditions such as broken bones or tumors.
Based on what is found, doctors can determine whether or not they can create a treatment plan. Radiologists can also have a specialty such as pediatrics and obstetrics or even a sub-specialty in gastrointestinal or cardiovascular. They can often be found working in hospitals and private practices, though some also work remotely. Several requirements to become a radiologist make the career path rather long. An undergraduate degree will take you four years to complete, a medical degree program will take you another four, your residency consists of an additional four years and finally, the training for your sub-specialty will last a year.
Therefore, in order to become a radiologist, it can typically take up to 13 years. Despite the lengthy qualifications you'll need to become a radiologist, the career itself offers many financial and personal benefits. Throughout their day, radiologists have many responsibilities, including:. Here are specialties you can choose if you want to become a radiologist:.
Diagnostic radiologists use imaging procedures to diagnose or treat a patient's illness, injury or condition. They also report back to a patient's physician, recommend a treatment plan and instruct radiologist technicians during imaging procedures.
Radiologists with a diagnostic specialty can also have a variety of subspecialties such as chest radiology, musculoskeletal radiology, pediatric radiology and cardiovascular radiology. Interventional radiologists use image-guiding, minimally invasive procedures to diagnose injuries or illnesses. Based on their findings, they'll recommend a treatment plan for conditions including cancer or strokes. As an interventional radiologist, you'll choose a subspecialty such as nuclear radiology, pain medicine or neuroradiology.
Radiologists with a specialty in oncology work to treat cancer through radiation therapy. They also make sure the treatment plan is working well for the patient and that they're not experiencing any abnormal side effects. Radiologists with an oncology specialty can also have a subspecialty in hospice and palliative or pain medicine.
It's important to keep in mind, however, that your own salary in this role will vary depending on your experience level, specialty, the company you work for and your location.
In order to become a radiologist, you'll need to meet a variety of qualifications. Here are the steps you should take:. Board-certified radiologists need their M. They need to have completed their residency, and will need to pass the board's exams, which are both written and oral. Once the radiologist has their initial radiology careers certification and has completed a fellowship, they can pass an additional exam in order to receive certification in specialties within the radiological field.
There are two radiological certification boards in the U. Radiologists interpret the results of medical imaging tests. They have to create plans for treatment of the patient based upon the results of the tests. They are responsible for writing reports about test results and treatment plans and explaining to patients their proposed treatment plan and alternatives in order to obtain approval from the patient.
Radiologists usually are in a supervisory capacity over radiological technicians and other medical assistants who perform the imaging tests. As in any profession, radiologists are responsible for receiving continuing education in their field. They can work in a clinic or a hospital. Radiologists who work in hospitals tend to work any shift, while those in clinics usually work a day shift. Today, many radiologists are able to transmit their imaging results easily to other caregivers, even around the world, so there is a trend toward radiologists having less patient contact than other types of doctors.
Some you may already have, so they just need further development. You will learn other skills in your electrical engineering classes.
Not all radiologists in the U. According to the American Board of Radiology, one path to certification is open to radiologists from other countries. Candidates must demonstrate to the board of radiology that they have received equivalent training in their own country and are licensed to be a radiologist there. Another alternative path to a career in radiology is only open for those candidates who seek to obtain certification in diagnostic radiology.
This path allows the candidate to simultaneously train in diagnostic radiology and conduct research. This path still requires the candidate to receive their M. This path was created because there is a shortage of radiologists in the research arena. The final alternative pathway to a career in radiology is for those doctors who complete their residencies in osteopathic hospitals in the U. There is no shortening of time in program completion.
It is simply a means of allowing doctors trained in osteopathic methods to receive the same certification as allopathic-trained doctors. Some radiologists work in hospitals or clinics. Others work in private firms that supply radiological services to hospitals and clinics. In the past, there were radiologists who were partners in radiological firms, but this practice is becoming rare because new radiologists to the field often do not like the idea of having to fund the cost of the radiological firm.
New radiologists prefer employment. There are also radiologists engaged in research and in teaching. Radiologists might work in a small, rural town and be the only game in town, commanding a larger salary, or they might be a specialist who works in an urban or suburban area. According to Modern Medicine Network, there is a trend for hospitals and clinics in rural areas to prefer to hire radiologists who are willing to make a five or more year commitment to stay in the area.
For this reason, such rural facilities are more likely to hire a radiologist who is more experienced. The belief is that an experienced radiologist will know what they want, so they will more likely stay in the area.
New radiologists tend to have specialty certifications and work in metropolitan areas. There are many different sub-fields of radiology, so there are a variety of different career paths a radiologist may choose. This will depend upon what type of specialization the radiologist pursued in their fellowship.
With more training and education, though, an experienced radiologist can break into other specializations and career paths. Breast Imaging Radiology This includes reading and diagnosing mammograms, breast ultrasounds, biopsies, and breast MRIs. Cardiovascular Radiology Medical imaging and diagnosing heart, vascular, or circulatory issues using x-ray, CT, ultrasound, and MRI scanning procedures.
Gastrointestinal Radiology Fluoroscopy, x-ray, CT, ultrasound, MRI, and gastrointestinal imaging and diagnosis of problems in the gastrointestinal and digestive tract. Interventional Radiology X-rays, fluoroscopy, CT, ultrasound, and MRI imaging and diagnosis of interventional medical techniques, such as angioplasty and stenting, biopsies, removal of uterine fibroid tumors, and draining of excess fluids and abscesses.
Musculoskeletal Radiology X-ray, CT, ultrasound, and MRI medical imaging and diagnosis of problems affecting the muscles and skeletal system. Neuroradiology X-rays, CT, ultrasound, and MRI imaging and diagnosis of problems afflicting the brain and nervous system.
Treatment of thyroid cancer and hyperactive thyroid conditions are part of this specialty radiology practice.
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