Radiology is the branch of medicine where specialists diagnose disease and injury through the study of x-ray imagery and treat certain medical conditions through the use of radiation. Doctors usually refer patients to radiologists if such a test is necessary. Only 1.2 percent of doctors have specialized training in this field, and jobs in this field are plenteous. Top-end radiologists who have completed four years of undergraduate, four years of medical school, and four years of fellowship often begin their career making well over $250,000. If you are looking into a career in radiology, it's good to know the differences between the types of jobs available.
Cardiovascular Radiology
Cardiovascular radiologists diagnose and treat heart disease or other diseases of the blood system through the use of radiation. For the most part, their work is diagnostic, which means they typically only identify the nature or cause of an illness or disease. However, they occasionally employ radiological techniques or non-invasive treatments in an effort to avoid surgery.
Chest Radiology
Chest radiologists perform x-rays exams on the chest. This x-ray takes images of the lungs, heart, blood vessels, airways and bones of the chest and spine. It is performed to examine the heart, lungs or chest and helps diagnose problems such as chest pain, bad and persistent coughing, and patients who have trouble breathing. Chest radiologists also monitor any diseases or conditions related to the heart or lungs such as emphysema or heart failure.
Breast Radiology
Mammography is the area of radiology that deals with the breasts. Mammography examinations, or mammograms, are used to help diagnose and detect breast diseases in women. If you are looking for employment in mammography, you will undoubtedly be trained on the most recent advances in this field, including computer aided detection (CAD) and digital mammography.
Gastrointestinal Radiology
Radiologists in this field focus on the stomach and gastrointestinal tract. This is an important area of radiology that helps aid in the prevention and diagnosis of disease in the spleen, liver, colon, stomach, appendix and pancreas. Just as the other specialized fields of radiology, there is a shortage of qualified radiologists, which makes it ideal if you want job security.
Radiology Nurses
If you have an interest in radiology but have not graduated from medical school, you can become a radiology nurse. Radiology nurses help patients through their radiology treatment and provide service before and after their procedures. If you would like to become a radiology nurse, you must complete a nursing program from an accredited school and pass various radiology courses to become licensed and certified.
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