Radiology is the kind of career that gives people meaning and purpose. While most people get into the profession for the pay and their love to help and heal people, the career of radiology gives them the added advantage of finding a purpose for self-satisfaction. It is important to note that usually, a radiologist does not directly talk to their patients but plays a role in interpreting their reports and consulting with general physicians for a course of action. The first step for the treatment of a patient is diagnosing the problem and performing steps to figure out where the problem lies, this is exactly what a radiologist does in his/her career. So, today’s topic- Is Radiography a Good Career?
It is normal for an individual to be overwhelmed with the many options that the medical industry offers. In times like these, it becomes important for you to take some time out and weigh all options practically. Even though studying for a long number of years was earlier considered to be tiresome and hard, the generations today are neutral with studying for years if it means landing a good job in the medical profession. To answer the question, radiology is a great career choice for anyone who has the motivation for self-satisfaction as well as making a difference in others’ lives. Even though commonly undervalued, here is a list of reasons that will make you realize why Radiology is a good career choice.
Why Radiology is a good career choice?
- The Heart of Modern Medicine
The medical industry has significantly progressed over the years. Anyone who is training to be a radiologist these days has the opportunity to learn and gain knowledge through the use of modern technology and the best equipment. You are basically in the middle and the link between the patients and the doctors, experiencing the best of both worlds.
- Plays an Important Role in Healthcare
Most types of doctors have increasingly started relying on radiography tests for the accuracy of results for their patients. These tests have not only proven to be extremely accurate but they also pay attention to minute details of the patient’s area of the problem. What matters is also the satisfaction and condition of the patients. Most patients are nervous and anxious while getting any tests done. Radiology tests make sure the patients are prepared emotionally and suffer no hampering physically.
- Variety of Options
You have a lot of flexibility in the line of profession. A healthy environment is a must in any field of work. Here, you have the liberty to choose the kind of environment you want to work in and the number of hours you would like to work in a day. There are a variety of options for you to choose from under the umbrella of radiology. What makes this a great career choice is that there are job roles for each kind of individual and its skill sets.
The different types of job industries that you can explore include forensic lab, emergency clinic, military, primary care clinic, mobile imaging services, university research labs, breast imaging center, veterinary practice, etc.
- Expertise
Once you are done with schooling and the years of training in internships and medical centers, you will have a high level of expertise in not just the radiology discipline but also the overall medical industry. The study in this profession is not too hard to understand since it is mostly practical. However, there is a lot of information to take in, and can sometimes take time. You will go beyond just radiology tests and also have expertise in injuries, diseases, and the working of technology. You will know about the anatomy of your patients as well as doctors do!
- Easy to Pursue
As discussed earlier, the study of both the bachelor’s degree and medical school is fairly easy. While there is some degree of theory, it is mostly hands-on and experiential. Even though the discipline is time-consuming and has a lot of information on a lot of topics, it is easy to understand and comprehend once you decide on this line of career.
- Collaboration with other kinds of Medicine
This is one of the most appealing advantages of choosing radiology as a career. You get to work with professionals all over the medical discipline and even consult with them. Your radiology tests are not only limited to one body organ and hence you get to communicate with all kinds of doctors to diagnose and discuss the problems of your patients. The contribution of radiologists to medicine in one way or another positively impacts the medical industry.
Salary
Radiography is one of the most fast-growing jobs in the medical industry. From 2012 to 2022, there has been a 22% increase in its overall pay for this job roll all across the United States. Since the value of this profession has significantly increased and more and more doctors have started to rely on the tests done through radiology, radiologists are being paid to suit their full potential. Your pay also depends on your abilities and potential to invest increased working hours and progress in your practice.
What are the duties and responsibilities of a Radiologist?
A radiologist is entrusted with multiple tasks daily. While their job description may seem easy and to the point, multitasking is a skill that is a must for an individual considering a career in this profession. Here are the broad categories of duties that a radiologist is expected to perform as part of their job role –
- Evaluating the Patients’ Problem – The radiologists need to be well aware of the medical history of its patient before performing any tests on them. There might be patients who may be harmed from the kind of tests radiologists need to perform to understand the problem better. By having a medical history of the patient, you can suggest alternative techniques to diagnose the problem.
- Performing the Diagnostic Procedure – MRIs, X-rays, Ultrasounds, CT scans are some common techniques that are performed by radiologists to figure out what and where the problem lies. It can either be a direct radiology test or a need may arise to perform a variety of them. It is not always the radiologist that performs the tests, if the injury is basic, he/she can also order the staff to do the tests.
- Analyzing and Interpreting the results – From a minor injury to even cancer, radiological imaging is the tool that can diagnose any medical problem. The radiologists use their years of training and expertise to diagnose the problem and then gradually move on to its solution. The results of the tests determine everything.
- Communicating with the Team – Consulting colleagues and getting their opinion on the course of treatment is the final step. It can either be by phone or in person. Mostly, the radiologists prepare a written report and discuss the problem with the doctor or the physician.
What is the salary of a Radiologist?
Radiology was not a well-paid profession just a few years ago. However, with an increase in overall medical awareness and the realization of the real value radiologists hold, the pay for people pursuing this career has significantly increased. In the United States, the average salary of a radiologist is $23,840 per year. More than 70% of the people are not just satisfied with their pay but have also mentioned that the working hours have comparatively become flexible. The majority of the radiologists in the U.S. can cover their costs of living by the pay they receive.
It is a universal opinion that years and years of study are worth the benefits and pay that they receive for their services. Professions that get paid more or less the same as a radiologist include MRI technologist, Xray Technician, CT technologist, Interventional radiology nurse, etc. Here are a few common benefits that are enjoyed by radiologists all over the United States –
- Vision Insurance
- Employee Discount
- Malpractice Insurance
- Relocation Assistance
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Visa Sponsorship
- Parental Leave
- Professional Developmental Assistance
There is plenty of demand for the job role of a radiologist in the United States. This career is not only valued here but also highly rewarded. Being organized and multitasking daily is not an easy job but that is exactly what the duty of a radiologist requires. After years of schooling and training, the satisfaction of helping others and earning well can do wonders for your mental health. Even though the decision is yours at the end of the day, it is assumed that this career path can take you a long way and open ample job opportunities for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the top 3 skills needed for a radiologist to acquire?
A radiologist possesses skills from various disciplines. While some individuals develop these skills over time, others are natural. Acquiring skills takes time but as a radiologist, they are necessary. If you are just starting, here are the top 3 skills that you should focus on and make a priority –
- Patience (with employees and patients)
- Critical Thinking
- Ability to work under pressure and in situations of emergency
- Can an aspiring radiologist finish their studies and get qualified online?
Yes, this is a possibility. While most of the education and study years are required to be completed whilst attending a school or university, the last few months can be completed online through trusted, certified, and accredited courses. There are a lot of sites that offer the completion of radiology-related courses and also require you to indulge in some training under medical clinics, primarily learning body positioning and patient imaging.
- How long does it take for an individual to become a radiologist?
It takes at least 12 years for an individual to become a radiologist. A medical degree is of 4 years and the study is similar to other medical professions. A bachelor’s degree and a certificate from the Medical College Admission Test are required to qualify for medical school. Post medical school, there is a need to clinically train for a year. This can either focus on just one medical discipline or can be transitional with multiple rotations throughout the year. This is then followed by at least 4 years of residency that is paid and exposes the individual to the practical aspects of the career. Finally, there is a fellowship that can be of about 1 to 2 years, gaining additional and beneficial knowledge in the field.
- What is the difference between radiology and sonography? Who gets paid more?
While radiology takes the help of modern technology to create radiation and diagnose a problem, sonographers create their images by using high-frequency images. While both careers are somewhat similar, radiologists earn a slightly higher salary.
- Is it legal for radiologists to administer medicine?
Administering medicine is not at all the same for radiologists as for doctors or other specialists. Radiologists are only qualified and trained to administer one type of medicine – contrast. This is done while creating images and is a liquid that allows the internal organs and the blood vessels to be shown with clarity on the image.
- What comes under the sub-specialties of radiologists?
Radiology as a career is both vast and diverse. Its subspecialties include pediatric imaging, breast imaging, musculoskeletal imaging, cardiac imaging, and interventional imaging.
- Are radiology and its study harder than most medical-related careers?
This question is subjective. Every profession in the medical industry has its hard portions of the study. While radiology is comparatively harder than other professions, its curriculum does have a perfect balance of theory and experiential.
