A radiologist is a doctor whose specialty is radiology. Radiologists are required to complete medical school just as family physicians and other doctors do. In addition, radiologists who choose a sub-specialty complete additional training.
Description
Radiologists diagnose by interpreting medical images obtained from various methods including x-rays and radioactive materials or, in some cases, sound waves.
Radiologist vs. Radiological Technician
A radiologist and radiological technician are not the same thing. A radiologist is an individual who in addition to completing a bachelor's degree, has completed four years of medical school, followed by a residency. A radiologist is an medical doctor. Radiological technicians assist patients with preparing for testing and administer the tests. Radiological technicians need a certification obtained through completing a training program or an associate's degree.
Prerequisite Coursework
Being a radiologist requires completion of a bachelor's degree with certain prerequisite science and math courses, including organic chemistry and anatomy and physiology in order to have a chance at getting into medical school.
Radiology Subspecialties
Radiologists may choose to specialize in a field such as cardiovascular radiology, chest radiology, gastrointestinal radiology, musculoskeletal radiology, and pediatric radiology. These subspecialities require additional training.
Certification
In many cases, board certification is necessary for radiologists. The American Board of Radiology and the American Board of Physician Specialties are two governing bodies that approve certification and each has specific requirements.
Tags: medical school, additional training, American Board, bachelor degree, Radiological technicians