Radiologist

OFO No: 221209

Other names for Radiologist:

• Diagnostic Radiologist
• Medical Imagining Specialist
• Nuclear Medicine Specialist
• Radiation Oncologist
• Sonologist

What is a Radiologist?

A Radiologist is a specialised medical doctor who analyses and interprets medical images like:

• MRI’s
• CT scans
• Ultrasounds
• X-rays etc

Even though the Radiographer takes the images, the Radiologist still needs to know and understand how to operate all the equipment.

A Radiologist is also permitted to administer radioactive tracers into the patient’s body so that certain areas of the body show up in the images: eg blood system or nervous system etc. This is called ‘nuclear medicine’.

What does a Radiologist do?

• reads and interprets the images taken from:

radiography
angiography
fluoroscopy
mammography
ultrasound
computer tomography etc

• diagnoses and what is wrong with patient
• discusses diagnosis with the medical team to determine treatment
• keeps up to date records

Are you . . . ?

• intelligent?
• interested in the medical industry?
• patient?
• analytical?
• observant?
• a person with an eye for detail?
• thorough and systematic?
• a team player

How do I become a Radiologist?

PATH 1

Become a Medical Doctor: CLICK HERE

Complete a Masters in Medicine (Radiology)

• University of Cape Town
• University of KZN
• University of Pretoria
• University of the Free State
• University of the Witwatersrand

Designation: Only once you have registered with the HPCSA may you use the title Radiologist.

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Dentist or Biomedical Engineer

Is becoming a Radiologist the right career choice for me?