Career options in radiology are broad and varied.
Career options in radiology are broad and varied, ranging from physicians who train for more than 10 years beyond a bachelor's degree to technicians who complete a one-year training program. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports than radiologic technology employment is expected to "grow faster than average." They can find work in hospitals, doctors' offices, and diagnostic imaging centers, among other places. All are required to learn to use radiation safely, to protect themselves and their patients.
Radiologist
Radiologists are medical doctors who attend medical school and earn a Medical Doctorate (M.D.) degree and learn to diagnose injury or disease, such as X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mammography and other methods. Radiologists have 13 to 14 years of medical education beyond the undergraduate degree level. They can specialize in cardiovascular radiology, neuroradiology, pediatric radiology, interventional radiology, and breast imaging, among other things, according to Radiological Society of North America.
Radiation Oncologist
Radiologists can specialize in nuclear medicine, also called radiation oncology, a field in which radiation is used to treat disease, especially cancer. They are extensively trained in the safe use of radiation, according to the Radiological Society.
Interventional Radiologist
Interventional radiologists are physicians trained to use radiologic imaging for conducting "minimally invasive" treatment procedures such as guiding catheters, angioplasty and stenting, according to the Society of Interventional Radiology. "Interventional radiology treatments have become the primary method of care for a variety of conditions, offering less risk, less pain and less recovery time, compared to open surgery," says the RSNA website.
Radiologic Technician
Radiologic technicians produce the images radiologists use to diagnose and treat medical problems. They are also called radiographers, radiology technicians, radiologic technologists, X-ray techs, radiologic assistants, and rad techs. Radiologic technicians usually earn a two-year associate's degree at a community college, or technical or trade school. Some earn a four-year bachelor's degree and others a one-year certificate. Rad techs can specialize in CT, MRI, mammography, diagnostic medical sonography (ultrasound) and other areas.
Radiation Therapist
Radiation therapists administer the radiation treatment prescribed by a radiation oncologist, maintain records and keep track of treatment machines. They usually earn a two- to four-year radiation therapy degree.
Dosimetrist
Dosimetrists are trained to calculate the radiation dose cancer patients receive during treatment. They work with radiation oncologists, radiation therapists and medical physicists. They usually start their careers as radiation therapists and gain advanced education to become dosimetrists, according to the Radiological Society.
Radiologist Assistant
Radiologic technologists who are highly trained, involved in patient management and assist radiologists are called radiologist assistants. The Radiologic Society says the RA position is a "new addition to the diagnostic radiology team."
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