What Do Radiologists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Radiologists examine and diagnose disorders and diseases using x-rays and radioactive materials. May treat patients. They also obtain patients’ histories from electronic records, patient interviews, dictated reports, or by communicating with referring clinicians.

Other tasks include:

• Prepare comprehensive interpretive reports of findings.
• Perform or interpret the outcomes of diagnostic imaging procedures including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), nuclear cardiology treadmill studies, mammography, or ultrasound.
• Review or transmit images and information using picture archiving or communications systems.
• Communicate examination results or diagnostic information to referring physicians, patients, or families.
• Evaluate medical information to determine patients’ risk factors, such as allergies to contrast agents, or to make decisions regarding the appropriateness of procedures.
• Provide counseling to radiologic patients to explain the processes, risks, benefits, or alternative treatments.

We asked Radiologists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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74% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 82% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Radiologists prepare comprehensive interpretive reports of findings. They review or transmit images and information using picture archiving or communications systems.

A typical day for a Radiologist will also include:

• Perform or interpret the outcomes of diagnostic imaging procedures including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), nuclear cardiology treadmill studies, mammography, or ultrasound.
• Interpret images using computer-aided detection or diagnosis systems.
• Obtain patients’ histories from electronic records, patient interviews, dictated reports, or by communicating with referring clinicians.
• Communicate examination results or diagnostic information to referring physicians, patients, or families.
• Document the performance, interpretation, or outcomes of all procedures performed.

We asked some Radiologists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	96% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	66% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	60% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	15% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	3% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	91% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Radiologists also participate in quality improvement activities including discussions of areas where risk of error is high. They may also participate in continuing education activities to maintain and develop expertise.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Radiologists Perform interventional procedures such as image-guided biopsy, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, transhepatic biliary drainage, or nephrostomy catheter placement. They might also Schedule examinations and assign radiologic personnel.

In addition, they Recognize or treat complications during and after procedures, including blood pressure problems, pain, oversedation, or bleeding.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Supervise and teach residents or medical students.

To some Radiologists, it is also their responsibility to Participate in research projects involving radiology.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Radiologist, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm

http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home.html

http://www.ama-assn.org/

http://www.abms.org/