How To Become A Radiologist In Australia: A Complete Guide
Do you want to become a radiologist in Australia? Do you like to be a part of the medical community and serve your country? Well, you're at the right place!
The following article will help in answering all your questions. Make sure you read it until the very end.
You will learn in this blog how to become a radiologist in Australia, including the steps, radiology degrees, courses, why you should study radiology, how long it takes, salary, and more.
1. What Are Radiologists?
Radiologists are professionals that perform procedures using medical imaging techniques such as "X-rays, MRI (Magnetic resonance image), and PET (positron emission tomography).
They perform highly technical procedures for patients that help in the diagnosis process and treatment of diseases.
2. Is A Radiologist a Real Doctor?
Yes, radiologists are medical doctors who have completed four years of medical residency.
They specialize in medical imaging such as x-ray, MRI, CT-scan, ultrasound and angiography to diagnose and treat human disease or injury.
3. Duties and Tasks of Radiologists?
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Evaluate the patient medical history
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Perform procedures like CT scans and MRIs on the patients
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Operate different machinery and imaging technology
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Accurately interpret the results
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Helps in the diagnosis process
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Refer patients for further diagnosis and treatments
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Continue learning new procedures
4. Is Radiology a Good Career in Australia?
"A recent analysis of job vacancies by the global jobs site ranked radiologists fourth on its list of the 20 most challenging jobs to fill in Australia. It suggested the market is currently in favour of job seekers, with more than 36 per cent of positions remaining unfilled after 60 days.
Employment prospects for radiographers are good, both in Australia and around the world. In Australia, the job is listed on the medium and long-term skills list, making it an excellent career choice for people." (Globaljobsite)
5. Steps To Become A Radiologist in Australia
Obtain a Bachelor of Medicine degree from an Australian university. They are typically 4-year courses open to anyone who has completed year 12 with appropriate prerequisite subjects. Subjects include Mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics.
The following are the basic university entry requirements:
- GMSAT: You are required to appear in the graduate medical school admission test and pass with a decent score.
- GPA: The GPA requirements are pretty straightforward. You must earn a good GPA to get into a university.
Interview: The university might interview before admission. Interviews play a significant role in the admission process as it is a pathway to learning about the students and their potential.
Become a registered radiologist and complete at least two years post-graduate medical experience in a public hospital.
6. Subjects of Radiology
The following are the main subjects of radiology:
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Human Anatomy
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Radiological Procedures
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Environmental Science
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Anesthesia in Diagnosis
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Generating X-Ray
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Conventional Radiology Equipment
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Nuclear medicine
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PET Scans
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Biostatistics
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General Radiography
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Interventional procedures in Diagnostic Radiology
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Doppler and Echography
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Care of Patients in Diagnosis
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Organizational Behaviors
7. Schools in Australia that Offer Radiologist Courses
The following are Australian universities that offer radiologist courses:
8. Key Skills of Radiologists
The following are the skills of radiologists:
Analytical Skills
Radiologists should be analytical, have an eye for detail, and have good observational skills.
Analytical skills are significant because they allow radiologists to find solutions to various problems and help in the diagnosis. Moreover, it helps them to make concrete decisions.
Communication Skills
As radiologists, you must communicate with the patient and explain the procedure. Communication will help the patient relax and develop a certain level of trust.
Communication includes:
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Comforting distressed patients
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Documenting procedures
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Remaining calm with agitated patients
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Actively listening to patient concerns
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Conveying patient concerns to nursing staff
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Training student staff
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Social perceptiveness
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Compassion for patients
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Orienting new staff
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Consulting with physicians
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Explaining procedures to patients
Mechanical Aptitude
A radiologist must be comfortable with the technology and equipment to process and maintain radiology equipment. Each machine's model will be unique, and learning and relearning new technology will be essential to the job. A radiologist must also understand how to change the duration and intensity of radiation exposure.
Most training courses provide guidelines and instructions on "how to use the equipment." However, it will be up to technologists to broaden their knowledge and master the art of operating medical imaging equipment.
Detail-Oriented
As a part of the medical and diagnosis team, you must be very careful. Your diagnosis will affect the life of the patient. If a radiologist is detail-oriented, it will help him identify the problem and continue the procedures accordingly. Moreover, a radiologist should be an analytical, intelligent, and critical thinker.
Professional
The primary reason for professionalism is to ensure the safety of patients. Health care is a team of professionals who must communicate well while adhering to honesty, respect for others, confidentiality, and accountability for their actions.
Ability To Work Under Pressure
Radiographers must be able to cope with the pressure during emergencies. Medical emergencies can happen anytime.
You must be ready for every possible situation. Radiologists must build time management skills to decrease stress and increase productivity rate.
Empathetic
Empathy is essential in the medical field to ensure effective communication and build trust between doctors and patients.
Passionate
Radiologists should be passionate and hardworking as it will be easier to fulfil the job requirements. This profession is complex and requires an ultimate level of passion and dedication.
9. Difference Between Radiology and Radiographer
Radiology definition: Merriam-Webster describes radiology as "a branch of medicine concerned with the use of radiant energy (such as X-rays) or radioactive material in the diagnosis and treatment of disease."
Radiography definition: According to Merriam-Webster, radiography is "the art, act, or process of making radiographs" (X-rays or gamma-ray photographs)
Radiologists' Job Responsibility:
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Preparing for imaging procedures.
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Consulting with patients and doctors
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Making highly informed diagnoses
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Guiding the patient
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Using their medical expertise to interpret the imaging results
Radiographers Job Responsibilities:
Radiographers are primarily responsible for the following:
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Prepare patients
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Safety protocols
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Following the supervision of a radiologist
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Knowing to operate a wide range of imaging devices.
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Producing quality x-rays and images to ensure the correct
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Diagnosis
10. Are Radiologists High In Demand?
According to Merritt Hawkins's data, "radiologists are among the most in-demand physician specialists, with some of the highest starting salaries.
The majority of requests received by the healthcare recruiting firm were for radiology specialists rather than primary care providers, with radiology ranking third behind only family medicine and nurse practitioners."
Merritt Hawkins identified radiology as having the second-highest number of search assignments and job openings, labelling it as being in "absolute demand." This is due, in part, to the increased demand for radiographers and the increased use of imaging procedures.
"Demand for both radiology is increasing, indicating that the volume of medical procedures is increasing," the 38-page report's authors wrote. "Without an image, little happens in healthcare, whether it's a diagnosis or a procedure."
10. How Much Does It Cost to Study Radiology in Australia?
To become a radiologist, you must complete four years of pre-medical studies. A bachelor's degree will average cost you around $30,000 annually. The next step is medical school, which costs between $30,000 and $60,000.
However, the cost factor also varies from school to school. Some universities cost less, and some are expensive.
11. Bachelor of Radiology Online
Due to the pandemic, various universities are now offering online courses for students to focus on their studies without neglecting their health. Many universities offer an online degree in radiology via google meet and Classroom.
Here are five of the best universities in Australia that offer online degree programs:
12. Radiologist's Salary in Australia
The average radiologist's salary in Australia is "$191,196 per year or $98.05 per hour." Entry-level positions start at "$181,791 per year", while most experienced workers make up to "$216,583 per year."
13. The Future of Radiology in Australia
"As of late 2019, continued, resurgent demand for radiologists was expected through 2025. Due to rapid increase in radiology services, an aging population and a strong economy allow more elective surgeries."
By this, the demand for radiologists will keep rising not only in Australia but worldwide.
14. Closing Words
Your career as a radiologist holds value and responsibility. The profession requires some serious dedication and patience, but it is a rewarding job. As a radiographer, you must be professional and hardworking.
However, you must be responsible enough to take on this responsibility. As a Radiographer, you are part of the medical diagnosis team, and you cannot allow yourself to make any mistakes.
Hopefully, this guide on becoming a radiologist in Australia has made it easier for you to understand career choices, job prospects, costs, career opportunities, and salary expectations.
Useful Links to Explore:
- English Language Requirements for Australia
- Cultural differences you may experience in Australia
- How to find Part-Time work as a Student in Australia
- Seven Tips for Students on a Budget in Australia
- How to get a Scholarship to Study in Australia
- Driving in Australia as an International Student
- How to change your Course or Institute in Australia
- The Benefits of a Professional Year Program (PYP)
- A Complete Guide to Study in Australia
- Types of Education in Australia
- What to Study in Australia?