Radiologists are physicians who specialize in the use of diagnostic technologies such as X-rays, ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Radiologists also use a variety of radioactive substances either as diagnostic tools in their own right or to enhance images created by other technologies. Radiologists primarily support other doctors in diagnosing patients. However radiology is a broad field, and it includes many jobs similar to radiography.
Radiation Oncologists
Radiologists train primarily in the use of radiation for diagnostic purposes, but interventional radiologists use various forms of radiation to treat diseases such as cancers. Radiation oncologists are specialists in cancer treatment, which often involves the use of radiation or radioactive substances. Both are specialists, and their training differs.
Radiologists complete a year of a general internship, then four years' radiological residency. Interventional radiology requires an additional fellowship of one year or more. Oncologists begin with a three-year residency in internal medicine, followed by three years' fellowship in oncology. On average, annual radiologist salary was $427,000 and oncologist salary was $377,000 in 2020, according to the 2020 Medscape Physician Compensation.
Radiologist Assistant
Physician assistants are skilled health-care providers with graduate degrees who work under the supervision of licensed doctors. Like doctors, PAs can specialize in fields such as radiology. Radiologist assistants can oversee imaging procedures, view the resulting images and screen them for further attention from the radiologist. This frees the radiologist for more exacting duties, improving the radiology lab's efficiency and profitability. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a physician assistant was $112,260 per year as of 2019.
Dosimetrists and Radiation Therapists
Dosimetrists and radiation therapists support the work of interventional radiologists and radiation oncologists, as explained by O*NET. Dosimetrists are trained to calculate the most effective method of delivering radiation therapy, calculating the optimal exposure to kill tumors but minimize damage to healthy cells.
Radiation therapists are technologists trained to apply the radiation as directed by the dosimetrist, under the radiologist's supervision. Radiation therapists and dosimetrists earn about $85,560 per year, BLS notes.
Radiologic Technologists and Sonographers
A number of imaging professionals support the radiologist's main duty, providing diagnostic support to other doctors. These technologists operate conventional X-ray equipment, as well as specialized X-ray units for mammograms, bone density and computed tomography. Magnetic resonance imaging and sonography, or ultrasound, use technologies other than radiation to create diagnostic images of tissues within the body.
Radiologic technologists work directly with patients to create the necessary images, providing doctors with the best possible view of the affected areas. Nonclinical jobs for radiographers can be found in industrial settings. Radiographic testing is used to pinpoint cracks and flaws in pipelines, welds and valves. Radiologic technicians earn a median salary of $62,280 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Job Growth Trend
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted strong growth in the health-care sector between 2019 and 2029, and radiology professionals are likely to share in that growth. The bureau's projections include 10 percent growth in the number of diagnosing or treating physicians, and both radiologists and radiation oncologists should benefit from the increasing medical needs of an aging population.
Demand for physicians assistants is projected to increase an impressive 31 percent. Radiation therapists will see a 7 percent increase in employment over that interval, and demand for radiologic technologists and sonographers is expected to increase by 7 percent, as well. These figures are above the average for all occupations.
“Remove radiology from medical science and a majority of cases will become unreasonably difficult to be solved”.
This scientific combination of love for technology with a passion for helping others or better known as Radiology is only about a decade old. But since the discovery, it has played a vital role within the healthcare system. A patient rarely goes through the healthcare system without needing the involvement of some sort of imaging test, be it an x-ray or a CT scan.
“Radiology is essential to the diagnosis of many diseases, particularly cancer. Early diagnosis saves live. Without diagnosis there can be no treatment, there can be no cure.”
Radiology is the study and practice of diagnosing diseases with the help of medicines as well as technology. It is about distinguishing the existing disease in the body by making the use of imaging using radiological equipment. The field of radiology is broadly divided
into two areas namely diagnostic radiology and interventional radiology. Here, one branch of radiology is about the specialisation of medicine using X-Ray images for detecting diseases or injuries whereas the other is the study of using imaging techniques i.e. CT Scans, MRI, etc., to provide treatment directions.
For pursuing a career in radiology, one must complete an associate, bachelor's or master's degree depending on the type of radiology profession one wishes to
practice.
Career in Radiology
The field of radiology is expanding vastly in medicine. As it is closely related to modern imaging hence it gets the advantage of advances in computer technology. With extensive job and career opportunities in this field, in recent times the need for educated and professional radiology technologists in hospitals, clinics, and physicians’ offices are increasing rapidly.
The chances of having a great career increases when a radiologist poses skills like:
- Excellent vision and analytical skills.
- Strong technical skills, as they have to work on a computer.
- Complete understanding of medical and human anatomy that relating human health.
- Interest and a good background in Biology, Physiology and Anatomy are appreciated.
These abilities help workers connect with patients and conduct the procedures accurately.
Radiology professionals get personal satisfaction knowing that they help people to get the diagnoses and right treatments that in return help those patients to heal and live a healthy, happy life. Depending on one’s education and experience, careers in radiology span many roles. In general, after pursuing a degree in this field you can become Radiologist (MD), Radiology Technologists/ Radiographer, Radiology Technicians, Ultrasound Technician/ Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, MRI Technician, CT Tech/ CAT Scan Technologist/ CT Scan Technologist. The prospects for employment of radiographers are vast, both within the country and abroad.
Job Profile in Radiography:
1. Radiology Technician
2. Radiology Assistant
3. Radiologist
4. Radiology Technologist/Radiographer
5. Radiology Nurse
6. Ultrasound Technician / Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
7. MRI Technician
8. CT Tech / CAT
Scan Technologist / CT Scan Technologist
Working sectors/places for a radiographer can be:
1.Government Hospitals
2.Private Hospitals
3. Public Health Centres
4. Diagnostic Labs
5. Nursing Homes
Radiology programs offer concentrations allowing learners to choose specific radiology career paths. For instance, two-year colleges may prepare students for associate-level careers by covering tests like MRIs, CAT scans, and X-rays. Those pursuing master’s degrees may choose from areas like education, management, and specific patient populations. Whereas those seeking medical licenses use radiology as main concentration but can also go ahead and specialize to treat specific populations. With experience, a bachelor’s degree can get higher positions, like lead technicians and chief technologists at an imaging centre.
The type of career also depends on the type of course, one involves. Now looking at some detail:
Medical Imaging: Undergraduate programs offer concentrations in specific types of medical imaging. Giving practical knowledge of operating MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray, or radiation therapy equipment. Programs like this prepare graduates for working as technicians.
Nuclear Medicine: Represents the cutting edge of radiology with some institutes presenting this concentration in undergraduate and master’s after this, graduates can find positions as nuclear radiation technologists or assistants, depending on their degree level. This even prepares graduates to sit for certification exams offered by ARRT or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board.
Radiology Education: These programs provide radiology education concentrations to fulfil the requirements for radiation educators across the country. Courses are offered in curriculum development, assessment methods, evidence-based education, healthcare leadership, and research methods. Making graduates able to work as professors at higher learning institutions or as clinical educators in medical facilities.
Radiology Leadership: Professionals in radiology seeking leadership positions can choose this concentration in some graduate programs. Candidates study financial management, resource management, evidence-based administration, and information management. This does not typically include clinical requirements instead after this course graduates can choose to work as managers, chief technologists, and administrators within radiology organizations. These roles could also be landed with a master’s degree. These radiology professionals may get involve in performing several types of tests, including bone, PET, gallium, and MIBG scans. If providing excellent patient service, they can securely transfer images to doctors.
PhD programs: It focuses on research and prepare graduates to work in academia and nonclinical positions. They may work as professors, radiation physicists, helping hospital departments understand the effects of radiology techniques.
MD programs: It prepares the learner to work as a doctor with specialization in radiology. They may even specialize in a particular type of radiology, such as oncology. Specialities also relates to patient demographics, such as paediatric radiology.
Generally, Radiology professionals work in facilities which provide medical care. Whereas many practices in hospitals, or find work in physicians' offices, diagnostic centres, outpatient care facilities, and research centres or even in setups like educational institutions etc.
In addition to providing the foundation to the required certification for working in an individual state of residence, earning a degree from this also prepares an individual for a healthcare career that is challenging, important, and gratifying.
Radiography- the heart of modern medicine provides an abundance of opportunities as doctors rely on the precision of diagnostic tests that radiographers perform. It is an interesting work with the involvement of different activities the whole day, from explaining procedures to interpreting test results. Thus, as seen above after pursuing degree radiology has numerous career prospects.
It is rightly said –
Behind every successful physician, is an exhausted radiologist.