Radiologists diagnose illnesses and injuries from inside, using specialized equipment.
College and medical students interested in diagnosing illnesses in patients should consider a career in radiology. You'll work with a range of patients, from elderly to very young, diagnosing injuries and illnesses. You do have to complete medical school and earn your license to practice.
What Tests Do Radiologists Do?
Radiology involves all fields of diagnostic imaging in the medical field. Radiologic technicians carry out the actual imaging procedures, such as computerized tomography, X-rays, mammography and magnetic resonance imaging, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Other forms of radiological imaging include fluoroscopy, nuclear imaging and ultrasound, according to RadiologyInfo.org.
Education and Employment for Radiologists
You'll be required to graduate from an accredited medical school with your medical degree. You have to take a licensing exam and pass it, then complete a year-long internship and at least four years of graduate medical education in your residency.
If you have plans to specialize in some sub-specialty of radiology, plan to participate in a fellowship program. Along with all these classes and requirements, you have to become board certified. This entails still more study and another examination, separate from your licensing exam. The American Board of Radiology or the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology certify you to practice after passing the board exam, according to RadiologyInfo.org.
Neuroradiology and Head and Neck Radiology
As a neuroradiologist, you specialize in radiologic tests of the head and neck -- this area involves the head, neck, brain, nerves and spine. The radiology specialties you use include X-rays, ultrasound, computed tomography and MRI.
Cardiovascular and Chest Radiology
If you become a cardiovascular or chest radiologist, you'll specialize in imaging and diagnosis of diseases of the blood vessels, heart, lungs and chest. You'll also specialize in diagnosing illnesses involving the lymphatic system, arteries and veins.
You'll generally use MRI, CAT scans, X-rays and ultrasound to make diagnoses of your patients' illnesses, according to RadiologyInfo.org.
Genitourinary and Gastrointestinal Radiology
As a radiologist specializing in either gastrointestinal or genitourinary radiology, you'll diagnose illnesses and conditions of the gastrointestinal and digestive tract, the abdomen, the urinary tracts and the reproductive organs of male and female patients. If you specialize in one of these fields, you'll have to be skilled in using X-rays, fluoroscopy, CAT scans, MRI and ultrasound. In addition, you need to learn complete such procedures as biopsies, fluid and abscess drainage, uterine fibroid removal and kidney stone removal, according to RadiologyInfo.org.
Musculoskeletal Radiology
As a radiologist specializing in musculoskeletal radiology, you'll complete imaging of the muscles and skeletons of your patients, using CAT scans, X-rays, MRI and ultrasound, according to RadiologyInfo.org.
Pediatric Radiology
As a pediatric radiologist, you'll work with the youngest patients, completing imaging techniques so you can help diagnose the conditions that are making them ill. The radiologic procedures you'll use include CAT scans, X-rays, ultrasound, fluoroscopy and MRI. You'll also complete medical procedures including fluid drainage, abscess collection and biopsy, according to RadiologyInfo.org.
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