The profession of radiologist: obligations, education, employment

Who Is a Radiologist?

A radiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in medical photographs. They diagnose diseases and injuries with. X-rays, CTs, MRIs, PET scans, ultra-sounds, etc. They preform image-guided procedures but do not normally handle the general medical needs of a patient. They sometimes consult other doctors for the treatment of patients. Following a diagnostic test, they use their medical training and expertise to make a diagnosis based with the results they obtained. Radiologists use medical imaging for the use of diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases.

Education

A radiologist requires a four-year college degree, medical osteopathic school and four years minimal of residency training to fulfill the examination requirements for state licensing. Southwest Tennessee Community College is located in Memphis, TN. One can acquire a course that leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree in Radiologic Technology. To get accepted, the results from the Health Occupations Aptitude Examination must be turned in. It takes 2 years to gain this education. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is located in Memphis, TN. Their program requires one to earn their bachelor of science in nursing or a master of science in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university, copies of transcripts of all college and university work to NursingCAS, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3. 0, and must submit 3 recommendation forms — this education takes around 4 years to gain. Saint Xavier University is placed in Chicago, IL. Their program requires a personal statement of approximately 300-400 words, a resume, transcripts, and two completed recommendation forms — this school takes 4 years to accomplish education in this field.

How Radiologists Work?

Most radiologists will work in a hospital or a medical facility. Most of the work they do is done in an office setting where they interpret images, read reports, and record results of radioactive imaging. The patient contact is very minimal. They will work along the side of the patients’ physician and a technician. They will use their knowledge to preform x-rays, ultrasounds, and CAT scans. The Radiologists typically wear nursing clothes like scrubs while some prefer to wear casual attire. Primarily, radiologists can wear whatever they want as long as the clothes are comfortable and presentable.

License

To become a radiologist, one is required to complete their radiology residency after medical school. They also have to pass the U. S. Medical Licensing Exam and obtain a license for the state they will practice in. The credentials require a fellowship in specialized field as well as a certification. The credentials will help one to get a job easier than it will if one only has the education without the credentials. The cost of medical school can cost up to $50, 000 per year (meaning, a 4-year medical program will cost around $200, 000 total). Sense one will have their job, paying this money off will not be hard.

Employment

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of radiologists has grown from 9% from 2018 to 2028. This is faster than the average for all occupations. The employment change from 2018 to 2028 is 23, 300. The amount of jobs in 2018 was 250, 000. As the population grows older, there will be an increase in medical conditions that require imaging as a tool for making diagnoses.