Radiologist Education

Starting Your Education

In the beginning, students will attend general science and liberal arts studies, which act as the foundation of the radiology student's training and education. Coursework will include:

• Medical and science classes
  • Anatomy
  • Physiology
  • Kinesiology
• General education requirements
  • English or writing
  • History
  • Political science
  • Business classes such as management or accountancy
  • Advanced organic chemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Radioactive chemistry and biology

Advanced Studies

The latter portion of the study of radiology is concentrated on the specifics of the profession. This is the most intensive segment of the program, and requires long hours of study. A few hundred hours of clinical work are also mandatory, where students will have to apply classroom theories in real life situations alongside veterans in the radiology field. Universities and institutions without their own hospital network affiliate with a local hospital to satisfy this part of the program. Typical coursework includes:

Graduation

Upon graduation, radiology technicians can enter the workforce immediately, whereas radiologist will enter into a residency program at a hospital or radiology clinic. Residencies work much the same way a doctor's residency does. The student applies to the programs, typically towards the middle of the last term of school, and awaits acceptance. A series of interviews and teacher recommendations are part of the residency process as it is with a pediatrician or oncologist. However, the radiologist does not need to continue with their specialty as a doctor does.

Residency Program

Upon acceptance into a residency program, radiology graduates works in conjunction with the radiology team for three to four years. During this time they learn the logistics of the career and will work long hours. Residencies require that the resident radiologist attend lectures on a daily basis, continues research and performs some administrative tasks such as budgeting, scheduling, and maintenance. Some residencies are run in conjunction with a fellowship program, which allows the radiologist to expand their knowledge and enter a specialty such as intervention radiology, where radiology is used in the treatment, not the diagnosis.

After the educational track, undergraduate process, and residency, students are prepared for careers as full fledged radiologists. The radiologist may choose to open their own practice, continue with a fellowship program, or be part of a radiology department within a healthcare network. A radiologist's daily routine is a typical 9- 5 schedule, with some on-call shifts required. Radiologists working in an emergency room will have a more demanding schedule, but this is only a small percentage.

Obtaining a degree in radiology or as a radiology technician is an intensive process comprised of high levels of chemistry, math, science, and biological concentrations. A residency program is required and fellowships are often taken to improve job prospects and knowledge base. From start to finish including a fellowship, a radiology student is faced with seven to nine years of education. However radiology has its rewards, as graduates are capable of being employed in a variety of environments and applications.