Radiology

A radiologist is a physician who, following completion of medical school, spends an additional four or five years exclusively studying diagnostic, therapeutic, or interventional radiology. In the United States, an individual is eligible for examination by the American Board of Radiology after completing an approved residency program. Successful candidates are entitled to the designation of diplomate of the American Board of Radiology.

After completing the residency program and either before or after passing the board examination, an individual may train for an additional year or two in a subspecialty of radiology such as neuroradiology or pediatric, skeletal, genitourinary, or gastrointestinal radiology. Individuals may then confine their practice to a particular aspect of radiology or simply demonstrate a special interest in that area while practicing general diagnostic radiology. Career opportunities in radiology include practice in a hospital or private office, or both, as well as teaching, research, or administration.

Radiologists are assisted by radiation physicists, radiation biologists, radiation oncologists, radiologic administrators, and radiologic technologists. The last are high school graduates who have successfully completed a course of at least two years in a school of technology approved by the American Medical Association through the Joint Commission on Radiologic Technology and who have passed a written examination offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. As with the radiologist, the radiologic technologist may, following additional training, become certified in an area of special interest. Registered radiologic technologists are qualified to perform certain radiologic procedures and assist in the performance of others, but always under the supervision of a radiologist. Technologists, however, are not qualified by either education or certification to interpret radiographic examinations.