Becoming a radiologist is intense, but the career is lucrative. Do you have what it takes?
If you enjoy helping others and are looking for a career in medicine, or if you are a single parent looking for a good-paying career, then a job as a radiologist may be right for you.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that radiologists will be in high demand in the next decade and projects that the number of positions for radiologists in the U.S. will have grown by 24 percent by the year 2020. Radiology careers can yield a median income of around $166,000 per year, or around $80 an hour.
A radiologist is not to be confused with a radiologic technologist, who is an assistant to the radiologist. The outlook for a radiologic technologist career is also bright, with an expected increased demand of 28 percent during the same timeframe. Radiologic technologists make around $54,000 per year, or around $26 an hour, according to the BLS.
The job of a radiologist is to perform, interpret and analyze diagnostic imaging exams on patients in a health care setting. This might include X-rays, ultrasound scans, CAT scans, MRIs, upper-GI exams, barium enemas and other nuclear medicine tests.
The path to becoming a radiologist is not an easy one. It entails the same stamina, determination and patience that are required of those seeking out a general medical doctor degree.
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Students may begin to prepare for a career in radiology by taking advanced science and math courses in high school. Once a high school diploma is attained, the student may need to attain a four-year degree or a bachelor degree in radiology from an accredited college or university or from radiation therapy school. A degree that is focused on a scientific discipline such as biology or chemistry is also favorable.
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Next, the student may need to be admitted to medical school. The exam to get into medical school is known as the Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT. This exam is standardized to reflect the student's knowledge in an array of subjects.
The results of the MCAT determine a student's acceptance into or rejection from medical school. Each medical school has a particular requirement when it comes to the lowest possible accepted MCAT score. Training takes around four years to complete. Once the student completes medical school, he or she is awarded the title of M.D.
Following completion of medical school, the radiology student must complete a five-year residency program. During residency, students work under the supervision of an attending radiologist and get hands-on training from skilled radiologists.
During clinical training, residents may opt to pursue a specialty in radiology, such as pediatric or nuclear radiological medicine.
The final step to become a radiologist is obtaining board certification. This certification consists of three exams: the first two taken during medical school and the third given to first-year residents. Oral and written examinations for board certification are governed by the American Board of Radiology.
The radiologist must take continuing education classes in person and can opt for online radiology continuing education to maintain accreditation.
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