Radiology Forums

hhoutman · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 1

Ok... this is kind of a dumb question I guess on my part, but here it goes...

I want to work in the medical field, I don't want to be a nurse and I don't want to be a doctor, so a friend of mine suggested getting my associates in radiology.. What exactly will I be doing if I do this? I see a radiologist for some medical things, is he an actual doctor? I'm so confused! lol

hjhogle · Moderator Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 608 Location: CT

A Radiologist is a doctor, a full-trained, licensed physician. 4-year undergraduate degree, medical school, then a residency specializing in the interpretation of diagnostic images and/or the use of those images in some types of therapy. National board exams.

A Radiographer is a certified, licensed (in some states) imager. 2 year training or 2-year associate degree/training or 4-year degree/training. National certification exam. Education/training includes anatomy and physiology, physics, radiobiology, patient care, pathology, positioning.

There is a lot of patient interaction in radiography - be sure you know why you don't want to enter nursing - those same things may be present in our field.

Contact a local hospital - speak with the Radiology Deparment Director about "shadowing" in their department - that is, spending some time in the department, seeing what it is that a Radiographer does. No point in spending time getting an education if you're not going to enjoy it.

Good luck.