How Do I Become a Diagnostic Radiologist?

A diagnostic radiologist uses X-rays to diagnose illnesses and injuries, and he may also use radioactive substances in some types of disease treatment. To become a diagnostic radiologist, you will typically have to commit to earning an undergraduate degree and completing medical school, which normally totals about eight years of education. After graduating from medical school, you will typically have to go on to complete a residency program, which may last for about four or five years, depending on the jurisdiction in which you are located. Finally, you can choose to seek board certification in this field by completing an application, providing proof of your education and training, and passing an exam.

A college education is usually required when you want to become a diagnostic radiologist. You can choose to major in just about any subject of interest as you work toward a bachelor's degree, but a science major may provide you with the best preparation for medical school as well as a career in radiology. If you choose not to major in science, you can still prepare well by taking a significant number of credits in math and science.

In most cases, you will have to enroll in medical school after graduating college to become a diagnostic radiologist. To get into an accredited medical school, you will typically need a good grade point average (GPA) and an acceptable score on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), a standardized exam for aspiring medical students. Each medical school may also set additional requirements for applicants, including the submission of essays and an interview. It is also important to note that medical schools in some countries may use a different exam than the MCAT for screening potential students.

Typically, medical school lasts for about four years. Your medical school education will likely include a lot more than just classroom learning. In most cases, you will also have clinical and laboratory studies as well as contact with patients, with supervision. The contact you have with patients will help you learn about different medical specialties and procedures of patient care. This type of hands-on patient care usually takes place in the second half of a medical school program.

Once you have completed medical school, you will usually have to complete a residency program to become a diagnostic radiologist. Often, these programs last for about four or five years and provide hands-on training in medicine and your specific field, including gradually increasing levels of responsibility with patients. You could also consider a radiology fellowship, which might be appropriate if you want to teach radiology. Fellowships often last for a couple of years.

Most jurisdictions will require you to have licensing to work as a radiologist. Usually, this involves proving that you have the required amount of education and passing a rigorous exam. Background checks are often included in this process as well. Additionally, you could choose to seek board certification, which typically involves additional testing.