Radiologists are considered to be a part of the Realistic Theme Code Category, according to the Strong Interest Inventory® Assessment. Since the early 1900s, the Strong Interest Inventory® has been a rubric used to identify careers that individuals may find fulfilling and enjoyable. Job seekers first take a brief self-assessment, called the Strong Interest Inventory® Assessment, which addresses a broad range of vocational and personal preferences. Their responses are then analyzed, and individuals are assigned one to three Theme Code Categories based on their answers. Each Theme Code Category corresponds to a series of careers. For example, careers under the Realistic Theme Code typically involve using one’s body or hands to complete a task or achieve a goal. Those with high Realistic scores generally find fulfilment in solving problems or understanding the innerworkings of systems or processes.

Radiologists use x-rays and other radioactive tests to examine patients and diagnose them with specific diseases or disorders. They may obtain patient data by interviewing them, viewing electronic records, communicating with referring clinicians, or by running necessary diagnostic imaging procedures including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), nuclear cardiology treadmill studies, mammography, or ultrasounds.

Radiologist Salary

Read about a career in Radiology including information such as a Radiologist Salary, daily tasks and other career information.

In order to correctly diagnose patients, they may confer with other medical professionals or coordinate radiological services with other medical activities, tests, or scans. They must carefully document their findings using picture archiving or medical database and communication systems. Once their analysis is complete, Radiologists prepare comprehensive reports of their findings and may communicate their findings to other practitioners or directly to patients and their families.

Radiologists often have additional professional responsibilities, such as recognizing and treating complications that may arise during or after procedures and implementing protocols for infection control and other emergencies. They may also be required to participate in continuing education activities to maintain their licensure or to develop expertise in more focused areas of their field. More experienced Radiologists may provide counseling to radiologic patients, instruct other radiologic staff on appropriate techniques and positions for testing, conduct research for developing or improving procedures, or supervise medical students or residents. All Radiologists are responsible for maintaining the highest standards to assure patient safety and protection.

Radiologists use a broad range of tools and technologies, from standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Internet Browsers, E-mail servers) to specialized medical machines (e.g., bone densitometers, X-ray equipment, MRIs, CTs, PETs, RF equipment). Different medical facilities may use slightly different models of these various machines, which are operated slightly differently. Radiologists should be highly familiar with the specific resources they have available in their practice.

Radiologists need a detailed knowledge of medicine, biology, and physics. They also need to be comfortable communicating in English, including reading technical documents, writing communication to patients or other practitioners, articulating diagnoses and concerns to patients, and listening to patients’ symptoms. Radiologists typically have an M.D. or Ph.D.

A Radiologist Salary typically is well over $ 200,890 annually in most states across the country. While their annual income is lower in smaller, less populated states like Oklahoma and Arkansas, a Radiologist Salary is reliably over $120,000 in these states, as a median annually. In the highest populated states, like New York and California, even the lowest paid Radiologists still earn over $130,000. That said, the employment rate for Radiologists is high and rising, with three highly populated states (New York, Florida, and Texas) each projected to increase their employment of Radiologists by up to 20% by 2026, adding over 4,000 new jobs in the next decade.

Below are some employment trends for Radiologists:

  • Radiologist Salary: $99.28 hourly, $206,500 annual
  • Employment: 433,700 employees
  • Projected growth (2018-2028): Faster than average (7% to 10%)
  • Projected job openings (2018-2028): 16,500
[Information retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2018-2028 employment projections]

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Click on one of these to access more Realistic Theme Code Careers: Acupuncturist, Airline Pilot, Animal Trainer, Anesthesiologist Assistant, Baker, Barber, Bus Driver, Civil Engineer, Cardiovascular Technologist and Technician, Medical and Clinical Lab Technician, Computer Support Specialist, Game Warden, Forest Firefighter, Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanics, Recreational Protective Service Worker, Meat Trimmer, Molecular and Cell Biologist, Nanotechnology Engineering Technician, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Pathologist, Plumber, Police Patrol Officer, Surveyor, Telecommunications Engineering Specialist, Veterinarian, Veterinary Technologist and Technician, Welder, Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist.

 

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References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2012-2022 employment projections Onetonline.org
  2. MBTI® Type Tables for Occupations, 2ndEdition. Schaubhut, N. & Thompson, R. (CPP, 2008)