Radiation diagnostics is one of the widely used diagnostic methods. With the help of radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, a wide variety of pathologies can be diagnosed. Therefore, a doctor specializing in working with these techniques is in high demand in various fields of medicine.

Requirements for the education of a radiologist

A radiology technician is a specialist with a higher medical education who deals with radiation diagnostics. He makes a decoding and description of x-rays, and also makes a diagnosis based on them.

It is worth saying that the X-ray procedure itself is not carried out by a doctor, but by an assistant or a hardware technician (he also develops the pictures). However, the radiologist must know the methods of radiation diagnostics and be able to work on x-ray equipment without the help of an assistant. Treatment with X-ray radiation is also handled by another specialist – an X-ray therapist or radiotherapist. And the radiologist describes the pictures and makes a medical conclusion.

To study as a radiologist, you must enter a medical school after graduating from 11 grades of school. First, students study at the faculty of “General Medicine”, “Pediatrics” or “Medical Biophysics” for six years, and after graduation they receive a diploma of a general practitioner or pediatrician.

Then, those wishing to become radiologists must complete a residency in the specialty “AAS radiologic technology“. The term of study is two years. After that, the young specialist must go through the primary accreditation procedure, and only after that he can start working.

During residency training, the doctor studies the following disciplines:

• X-ray diagnostics;
• computed and magnetic resonance imaging;
• in-depth course of pathological anatomy;
• fundamentals of public health.

A specialist of a different profile can retrain as a radiologist by completing a professional retraining course. Also, the radiologist must once every 5 years improve their qualifications and undergo periodic accreditation. You can learn a new profession or prepare for an accreditation test at the Academy of Professional Standards.

Radiologist is a necessary and demanded profession. A doctor of this profile can work in public and private medical institutions: hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers, hospitals, dental offices.

Since it is not easy to find a good radiologist, some doctors work in two or even three places at once. Naturally, this has a positive effect on their professional experience and income.

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Requirements for the knowledge of a radiologist

A specialist radiologist must understand the issues of the norm and pathology of the human body, see deviations in x-rays and be able to recognize them.

A radiologist diagnoses diseases of various organs and systems: respiratory, digestive, bone, etc. Therefore, he must have extensive knowledge. But since one specialist cannot thoroughly understand all diseases, there are narrower specializations in the field of radiology.

For example, in a dental clinic, radiologists specialize in radiation diagnostics of the oral cavity, and in a trauma department, they specialize in diagnosing the skeletal system, spine, joints, etc.

According to X-ray and tomographic images, the doctor can determine such pathologies as:

• fractures and cracks of bones, dislocations, displacement of the vertebrae;
• tumors, ulcers, hernias, protrusions;
• the presence of foreign objects in the stomach, intestines, lungs and other organs;
• intestinal obstruction, volvulus;
• inflammation and abscess of the lungs, tuberculosis;
• pathology of the kidneys, bladder;
• skull trauma, brain damage.

The better the doctor understands the structure and functioning of various organs and systems of the body, the more pathologies he can diagnose.

Job Responsibilities of a Radiologist

The radiologist does not treat diseases, but only makes a medical conclusion based on the X-ray examination. Usually, patients are referred to him by a therapist or a doctor of another profile (traumatologist, gastroenterologist, phthisiatrician).

Having received a picture and a conclusion, patients return to their doctor, who prescribes therapy based on the results of the study. Sometimes a single x-ray is not enough to make a correct diagnosis. Patients also undergo tests and, if necessary, undergo other diagnostic procedures.

Depending on the place of work, the duties of a radiologist may vary. However, any specialist in this profile should be able to:

• determine the feasibility of radiodiagnosis based on the patient’s medical history;
• choose the most appropriate research method for each clinical case;
• draw up a plan for diagnostic studies;
• perform radiography, including the use of contrast agents;
• work with computer and magnetic resonance imaging devices;
• conduct a fluorographic study;
• decipher and analyze images, correctly draw up a medical report;
• work with a computer and specialized programs.

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are more modern diagnostic techniques compared to radiography. These technologies produce sharper images that are easier to decipher. In addition, tomography makes it possible to examine the organ from different angles and take three-dimensional pictures.

Some clinics consider radiography an outdated technique, preferring tomography. Therefore, experts in this field are highly valued.

The radiologist must learn new diagnostic methods, thereby increasing his level of knowledge and skills. Once every five years, a specialist is required to take refresher courses and pass qualification exams.

To become a truly good specialist, a radiologist must have the following professional qualities:

• accuracy;
• attentiveness;
• a responsibility;
• analytic mind;
• good memory;
• ability to perform monotonous work.

In addition, the doctor should strive for development and improvement. Only in this case he will be able to achieve success in his career.

Responsibility of the radiologist

The radiologist may be liable for such violations as:

• non-fulfillment or poor-quality performance of their professional duties;
• ignoring orders, instructions and instructions of the management of the medical institution and higher authorities;
• failure to comply with labor regulations and discipline;
• ignoring safety rules when handling medical equipment, reagents, etc.;
• incorrect or untimely execution of medical documentation, reporting;
• violation of laws and regulations relating to his professional activities.

The doctor is responsible both for his violations and for the poor-quality work of the medical staff subordinate to him. The radiologist himself reports to the head of the radiological department, and in his absence, to the head physician of the medical institution.

Rights of a radiologist

This specialist has the right to:

• organize and conduct radiographic examination of patients, draw up medical reports;
• give recommendations regarding additional diagnostic methods, involve narrow specialists for consultation and analysis of complex clinical cases;
• propose to the management of the medical institution measures aimed at optimizing the diagnostic and therapeutic process or the working conditions of employees;
• monitor the work of the personnel who are subordinate to him, give him orders within the framework of his authority;
• receive information materials necessary for work;
• participate in scientific conferences and meetings related to his professional activities;
• take refresher courses and certifications.

The rights of the doctor are prescribed in the job description. They should not go against the Labor Code.

The work of a radiologist belongs to the category of harmful. Ionizing radiation negatively affects the state of health, therefore, people working with it are entitled to allowances for harmfulness and other preferences determined by the current legislation.