Career In Radiology

Radiology And What It Entails

Radiology is used all around the world and on a day-to-day basis. It is very important in the medical field, and without it, people would not be where they are today. It is appealing because it deals with new technology that only a radiologist can interpret. A radiologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries using medical imaging. A career in radiology is considered very distinguished as we all require their services at one time or another during our lives. Other doctors rely on their expertise as well. Therefore, they are very respected in the medical field.

A radiologist is a very sophisticated job because it deals with a variety of machine technology and also understanding

and interpreting information. They are expected to deal with medical imaging such as “x-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography “(PET)” (“InnerBody.com”). Some of the skills, talents, and personality traits required by a radiologist include attention to detail, curiosity, the ability to perform under stressful situations and follow directions, fine motor skills and a higher level of math and science competencies. A radiologist may administer radiopaque substances by injection, orally, or as enemas in order to view organs using x-ray films or fluoroscopic screens. To become a radiologist they must put in a lot of time and effort along with many years of school and practice. Their education can be extensive. Acording to (“Study.com”) the first step to becoming a radiologist is “to get accepted into a four-year university and obtain a bachelor’s degree. The second step is to obtain an acceptance to an M.D. or D.O. medical school and complete four years of medical school. This would be followed by the clinical internship, then radiology resistance, and finally radiology fellowship.” Radiologists are usually board certified by the American Board of Radiology or the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology. This indicates not only a high level of training but demonstrated excellence in the field. This only confirms the requirements are very rigorous for becoming a radiologist.

Another key factor about the radiology career is the salary. ("According to American Medical Association statistics”),” 1.2 percent of physicians specialize in radiology. A Radiologists makes around $361,538 annually in the United States”. The big factor that affect a radiologist's salary the most is one's geographic location, meaning where a person is located and performing their practices. When discussing the career of a radiologist, one must also discuss the co workers such as a diagnostic medical physicists, radiologist assistant, radiologic technologist, and a radiologic nurse. These assistants work side-by-side with the radiologist to help make decisions and with other needs.. The most interesting part about a radiology career is that there is are many different paths to chose from. There are 13 different kinds of professions stated by (“Diagnostic Radiology Professions”) when dealing with radiology. “Breast imaging, Cardiovascular Radiology, Chest Radiology, Emergency Radiology, Gastrointestinal (GI) Radiology, Genitourinary Radiology, Head and Neck Radiology, Musculoskeletal Radiology, Neuroradiology, Pediatric Radiology,

Interventional Radiology, Nuclear Radiology and Radiation Oncology..The most common profession in radiology is breast imaging, Gastrointestinal (GI) Radiology, Cardiovascular Radiology, and chest radiology.” Breast imaging is “devoted to the diagnostic imaging and diagnosis of breast diseases and conditions. This includes mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, and breast procedures such as breast biopsy.” (“Diagnostic Radiology Professions”). Gastrointestinal (GI) Radiology is “diagnostic imaging and diagnosis of the gastrointestinal (GI) or digestive tract (the stomach and intestines) and abdomen. This includes fluoroscopy, x-rays, CT (computed tomography or CAT), Ultrasound, MRI, and GI procedures such as biopsy and fluid and abscess drainage.” Cardiovascular radiology is “diagnostic imaging and diagnosis of diseases of the heart and vascular or circulatory system (including blood and lymphatic vessels)." Chest radiology is “diagnostic imaging and diagnosis of diseases of the chest, especially the heart and lungs. This includes x-rays, CT (computed tomography or CAT), Ultrasound, MRI and chest procedures, such as lung biopsy and thoracentesis or drainage of fluid from the chest.” The similarity with all these different radiology paths is the technology that it entails. For example, x-rays are used in most radiology practices. X-ray or radiography uses a very small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the body's internal structures. This helps the radiologist pinpoint the area in need of treatment. Another common form of technology used by a radiologist would be Computed tomography, (CT). This is a diagnostic imaging test used to create detailed images of internal organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels. CT is fast, painless, noninvasive and accurate. In emergency cases, it can reveal internal injuries and bleeding quickly enough to help save lives. An ultrasound is also administered in a lot of radiology practices. “Ultrasound imaging uses a transducer or probe to generate sound waves and produce pictures of the body's internal structures.” The most recognizable use for an ultrasound is during pregnancy. This is one tool to help ensure that the baby is developing properly.
In conclusion, a career in radiology is very rewarding and there is no doubt that radiology has helped fellow physicians as well as other medical professionals in diagnosing as well as treating some of devastating diseases.

The best thing about this career choice would be that it will help this country become healthy and make its citizens better, along with doing a great service for the greater good. A person will gain experience on communication skills as well as being able to work as team because one must deal with patients and co workers all the time in the radiology profession. Overall, a radiology career is ideal if you are up for a challenge as there will always be a demand. As long as there are injuries and diseases, there will be a need! This is why being a radiologist is at the top of the career

list.