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Radiology is a fascinating part of medical science. It uses advanced technology and equipment to carry out tests like X-rays, USG, MRI, CT scans, etc., on patients. A professional radiologist determines the cause of the problem. They offer treatment based on the results of the tests. If you want to know how to become a radiologist, at least seven years of formal medical education are on the list. This education includes graduation and post-graduation in Radiology.
Now this entire of becoming a licensed radiologist is a step-by-step process. Let us share a detailed blog that will help you understand what radiology is as a whole. You will learn its scope, the responsibilities of a radiologist, and much more.
Radiology is medical imaging that contains several tests to determine the condition of the patient’s internal organs. The work of a radiologist involves capturing the diagnostic imaging to write reports based on the result.
Specializations of Radiology
When you want to know how to become a radiologist, you should also understand the different branches you can work in.
Diagnostic Radiology
When you look online at ‘what is the work of a radiologist’ out of curiosity, diagnostic radiology may come first. In this specialization, radiologists diagnose and treat diseases using different imaging procedures. These imaging techniques involve electromagnetic radiation, ultrasound, X-rays, and radionuclides.
Radiation Oncology
Radiation oncologists are responsible for using radiation to treat cancer patients. They use high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells and ensure they don’t grow back. Along with this, they must make sure the patients respond to their treatment regime.
Neuroradiology
You will get to learn this subspecialty by becoming a radiologist. As a neuroradiologist, you will diagnose and characterize the abnormalities of different body parts. These parts are the central and peripheral nervous system, head, and spine using an advanced neuro-imaging system.
Pediatric Radiology
Pediatric radiologists are in demand because they ensure a baby’s good health. These experts examine and diagnose any health-related issue of infants, children, and adolescents.
Interventional Radiology
This part of radiology involves invasive procedures to prevent illness and injuries. As an interventional radiologist, you will provide treatment/therapy to non-cancerous patients. The surgery procedures in this field are safe and ensure a faster recovery.
Roles and Responsibilities of Radiologists
Radiologists are a significant part of any diagnostic centre or clinic. If you want to learn how to become a radiologist, you can’t avoid the diverse roles and responsibilities you may have to perform daily.
Depending on the specialization, your responsibilities will differ. Besides, every radiologist has to perform almost similar responsibilities. For example, if you are a pediatric radiologist, you will attend to the kids and adolescents first. If you have to perform radiation on a cancer patient, you will be a radiation oncologist. If you are wondering, ‘Is a radiologist a doctor?’, the answer to your query would be YES. A radiologist is a medical professional and trained doctor who performs different procedures to ensure the health issues you might be facing.
When it comes to the responsibilities of a radiologist, they are as follows –
1. Elaborate on the Diagnostic Process with the Patients and Family Members.
The primary responsibility of a radiologist starts by discussing the diagnostic process that their physician might have suggested. The patient must understand the process to cooperate in completing the diagnosis. You should understand your role and responsibilities on this road how to become a radiologist.
2. Provide Instruction to the Patients.
Every diagnostic process is complex and might frighten the patients at first. As a radiologist, you must ensure the patient can understand the instructions and what they must do during the process.
3. Supervise Imaging Techniques.
A radiologist is also responsible for maintaining the efficient management of the system. They ensure radiographers can use appropriate imaging techniques to retrieve the best test results. Supervising the diagnostic process helps efficiently determine any problem in the patient’s health.
4. Diagnose a Health Condition.
Radiologists use advanced technology and modern machines to diagnose your health condition. X-rays, MRI, CT scans, nuclear testing, etc., display the accurate condition of the internal organs and tissues. Their primary goal is to ensure the damage your body might have incurred.
5. Prepare a Report of the Diagnosis.
Once the diagnosis has been over, the radiologists prepare a report of the findings. This is where they use their skill, knowledge, and understanding to process a report. The report must contain all the findings through the diagnosis procedure. You may have to explain the results to the doctors occasionally.
6. Collaborate with the Physician.
After the findings are on the report, you can either hand it over to the patient or connect with their physician. The physician and a radiologist can collaborate to suggest an approach and the best treatment plan for the patient.
If you are looking online for ‘what is the work of a radiologist’, you will find these answers to your query. However, a radiologist can have many more responsibilities based on their degree, location, job experience, and others.
Skills and Qualities Required to be a Radiologist
Before you know how to study radiology, you must understand the skills and responsibilities of a radiologist. This knowledge will help you decide whether this would be the right profession for you in the long run. For this reason, we have compiled a list of common skills and responsibilities that a professional should have to understand how to become a radiologist.
Attention to Details
It is no wonder that a radiologist must have the skill to pay attention to the details. You must use your attentiveness to study the patient’s condition, charts, and reports and take notes from the imaging. The human body is complex and requires excellent observation skills to understand minute details. Your sharp attention to detail will help you learn to become a radiologist.
Analytical Abilities
One of the primary job requirements of radiologists is to consult with patients, identify their health concerns and understand the plan’s effectiveness. For these reasons, the radiologist must have outstanding analytical abilities to process all this information. Their analytical skill will help them decide on an efficient diagnosis for a health issue.
Technical Skill
A radiologist must have sound technical knowledge of the equipment like an X-ray machine, MRI machine, CT scan machine, and more. You must develop this technical knowledge when studying the course and keep adding new information to avoid getting stuck at any stage. This knowledge will further your career and help you secure a bright future in the healthcare industry.
Communication Skills
As a radiologist, you communicate daily with doctors, patients, and colleagues. You will receive instruction from the doctors, share a logical explanation of the diagnosis and consult with patients to inform them about the results. All these duties need excellent communication skills to avoid confusion, keep efficiency and provide better patient support. You must also be excellent in written communication because it teaches you how to become a radiologist.
Interpersonal Skill
The interpersonal skill of a radiologist decides how comfortable a patient may feel to approach you. You need to keep patience and listen to their problems. The way you carry yourself will also decide whether you can handle patients.
Ability to Work Under Pressure
One of the top requirements for how to be a radiologist is to understand whether you can manage to work under pressure. Radiologists work in a high-paced environment where they handle the responsibilities of many patients daily. You need to keep your frustration in check and perform under pressure.
Steps to Become a Radiologist
If you are in India and aspire to become a radiologist, you must focus on studying at an early age. Even though the process of how to become a radiologist is convenient, one mistake in your academic years might disrupt your entire plan. For this reason, we encourage you to follow this step-by-step guide to becoming a radiologist.
Step -1: School-level
To know how to study radiology, you must know the course requires you to understand science quite well. Your 10+2 class must have chemistry, physics, and biology in your syllabus. For this reason, you must perform well in all the subjects, especially in science, in your 10th standard exam. Your result in the 10th standard will decide whether you can get PCB to keep your dream alive. Once you have chosen your subjects, you must stay focused and study for the entrance exams along with the higher secondary exam.
Step -2:UG-level
The journey how to become a radiologist in India starts at the undergraduate level. You must have at least 50% in total in your 12th or higher secondary exams to appear for the entrance exam. In this program, you can specialize in various fields, such as imaging technology, medical radiology, radiotherapy, etc. This program works as a stepping stone to welcome you to the world of radiology. You must study undergraduate courses and understand how to contribute as a radiologist.
Step -3:PG-level
The post-graduate course propels the career of a radiologist even more. You will gain exceptional knowledge about radiology and understand complex matters. However, a candidate is only allowed to pursue an MD or MS in radiology after completing an MBBS with excellent marks and at least an internship program. You must succeed in this 2-year post-graduate program to get a radiologist degree.
The World of Radiology for the Aspirants!
If you want to be a licensed and professional radiologist in India, you must start taking preparations before your 10th exam at least. This will improve your chances of learning how to become a radiologist. But you don’t require an MBBS degree to become a radiologist. You can become a radiologist if you have 7 years of formal medical education, including UG and PG.
Radiology is thriving in India and making significant contributions to improve human life, and choosing it as a career can be rewarding too. If you focus on how to become a radiologist nowadays, the institutions always matter. You will learn every nook and hook of radiology through theoretical and practical knowledge. The coursework will ensure you get the best education and prepare you to be a professional radiologist. After PG courses, you can pursue several diplomas and certificate courses, such as Diploma in Radiology Therapy, Diploma in Radiography, etc. You can even opt for a higher degree, such as a PhD, to discover new things in radiology and refine the healthcare industry.
Evaluate numerous career choices to choose the right career path for yourself. Dive into our guide on Career Advice.
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ’s )
Can I become a Radiologist without MBBS?
It is not essential to have an MBBS degree to become a professional radiologist. You are eligible to become a licensed radiologist if you have completed at least 7 years of medical education. You also must have PCB (physics, chemistry, and biology) in your 10+2 syllabus and physics and chemistry throughout your UG and PG degrees. MBBS degree ensures you enter the MD or MS course for higher studies.
Is NEET necessary for radiology?
No. NEET is not mandatory to get admission into the radiology course. While some institutions admit students based on the merit list, others conduct entrance exams to secure admission into this course at the university. The qualifications of a radiologist in India require you to complete the UG course first and move on to the PG course. You can pursue many other diploma courses to gain knowledge and experience in this field.
What should I do after 12th to become a Radiologist?
You must take the years after the 12th to achieve eligibility for a radiologist. You can opt for many famous radiology courses such as –
1. BSc in Nuclear Medicine Technology.
2. BSc in Radiation Therapy and Oncology.
3. BSc in X-ray Technology.
4. Bachelor of Radiologic Technology.
5. BHS in Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences.
Each course is special in a specific field and will propel your career as a radiologist.
How can I become a Radiologist after 12th without MBBS?
You can become a radiologist after your 12th by pursuing seven years of formal medical education through UG and PG courses. You must select a specialization in your undergraduate course, such as a BSc in Medical Radiography and Imaging Technology, a BSc in Nuclear Medicine Technology, etc. After graduation, you can take a post-graduate course to further your knowledge in this field.
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