A radiologist is a specialist medical doctor who has had postgraduate training in performing and interpreting diagnostic imaging tests, and carrying out interventional procedures or treatments, using X-ray, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging equipment.
Radiologists assist other doctors and specialists in treating their patients. They do this by making a diagnosis, and by providing treatment using medical imaging.
Radiologists have the medical knowledge to understand and explain a patient’s medical problem or symptom through images of the inside of the body.
Clinical radiology is at the forefront of medical technology, and has revolutionised medicine over the past 100 years. This specialty gives you scope for an exciting and varied career in clinical medicine, teaching and research.
In the long term, a career in clinical radiology offers flexibility and control over where and when you work, making it possible to achieve a healthy work-life balance.
Clinical radiologists need to be:
To become a clinical radiologist, you must complete the training program administered by The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR). The program runs for five years (full time equivalent) and gives you broad experience across the full variety of environments and imaging techniques that clinical radiologists need to be familiar with.
To be accepted into the college's training program, a candidate must:
As well as meeting the prerequisites, you must also be able to demonstrate:
Other desirable qualities are:
Many clinical radiologists choose to pursue areas of interest including interventional radiology, neuroradiology, breast imaging, paediatric imaging, musculoskeletal imaging and more.
For further information about the role of the clinical radiologist, visit InsideRadiology, our website for health consumers and health professionals:
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