Career as a Radiologist

WayOutWestMom
Mon, 14 Aug 2017 02:30:27 +0000

I think you’re misunderstanding that difference between between a radiologist and radiographic technicians. (also called X-ray technician)

These are 2 completely different career paths.

A radiographer (also called X-ray technician or X-ray technologist) operates x-ray, CAT, and MRI machines to take images of the internal structures of patients. A radiographer does not interpret or read those images. Just operates the machinery. A X-ray tech requires either a 2 year or a 4 year degree in order to become licensed.

See: [Radiologic Technologist](Radiologic Technologist)

A radiologist is a MD with 5 years of post-graduate training in reading and interpreting diagnostic imaging and who is trained to perform a number of invasive procedures such as stent placements, x-ray guided, biopsies, angioplasties, drug port placements, etc

To become a radiologist, one must earn undergraduate degree and take a list of required courses in the sciences and mathematics, take a standardized exams (MCAT), and apply to medical school. Medical school last 4 years, Then a newly graduated physician will spend another 5 years training just in radiology.

See: [Diagnostic Radiology](http://residency.wustl.edu/Choosing/SpecDesc/Pages/DiagnosticRadiology.aspx)

One does not major in radiography to become a radiologist.