Career in Radiology

A rewarding Career in Radiology – Day by day, we are striving for better health and thanks to science and technology that helps us equip us with better medical facilities. Radiology is one of the most productive branches of Science. Radiology represents a branch of Science that deals with radiant energy, which helps in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. 

Radiology is the specialization of medicine that uses the images of X-Ray and other imaging techniques to diagnose a disease or an injury in the patient. The radiology field is mainly divided into two areas: Diagnostic radiology and interventional radiology.

This article will explain everything you need to know about the Career in Radiology, the types of courses available, the eligibility criteria for admissions and the future prospects of the course.

Who is a radiologist?

A radiologist is a medical doctor who is specialized in diagnosing and treating disease and injury by using medical imaging techniques like – Computed tomography (CT), x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), nuclear medicine, fusion imaging, and ultrasound.

Let’s look at the courses available for Radiology and Career in Radiology:

MASTER’S IN RADIOLOGY (MD)

• Minimum Qualifications:

       MBBS with 1-year compulsory internship

• Skills required:

• Interest and a strong base in Biology, Physiology and Anatomy.
• Excellent vision and analytical skills.
• Strong technical skills to work on computers.
• Understanding medical and human anatomy.
• Interpersonal skills to soothe patient anxiety.

• MD Radiology: Admission Process

Admission to the Radiology course can be conducted by appearing in any of the following entrance examinations: 

• Centrally conducted NEET PG (conducted by NBE)
• Autonomously- conducted entrance exams such as those conducted by any of AIIMS, PGI and JIPMER
• A State- level PG exam
• Institute-specific entrance examination conducted by a concerned college.
• Course Duration:

      MD Radiology – 3 Years-long postgraduate course in Medicine

• Top colleges: 

• Subjects taught:

Radio Physics, Production of X-Rays, Radiation Detection and Measurement, Fluoroscopy,     Special Radiology, Computed Tomography, Ultrasonography etc. 

• Top recruiting areas:

Integrative health clinics, Public health clinics, College health centres, Natural apothecaries, Physician practices, Government hospitals, Nursing homes, Diagnostic Labs, Diagnostic labs

• Job positions:

Radiology Technologists, Radiology Technicians, Ultrasound Technicians, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, MRI Technicians, CT Tech, CAT Scan Technologists, CT Tech, CT Scan Technologists etc.  

• Average starting salary:

Rs. 2 to 10 Lakhs

B.Sc IN RADIOGRAPHY

B.Sc in Radiography is a medical subfield that deals with the diagnosis of diseases and ailments related to the internal parts of the body, by using of X-Rays.

Minimum qualification: 10+2 qualification or equivalent qualification from a  recognized educational Board.

Course duration: 3 Years, divided into 6 semesters, with each semester lasting for 6 months

Admission process: Merit/entrance basis

Average course fee: INR 2 Lakhs – 10 Lakhs

Average salary: INR 7,000 to 10,000

Job profiles availability: Angiography, Interventional Radiography, Cardiovascular Interventional Radiography, Computed Tomography, Mammography, Bone Densitometry and Fluoroscopy

 Top colleges and institutes which offer this course:

• University College of Medical Sciences and GTB hospital
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences
• Tata Memorial Sciences
• Rajeev Gandhi University of Health Sciences
• TCR Institute for Materials Technology

DIPLOMA IN RADIOGRAPHY

Diploma in Radiography is the study of a medical subfield which diagnoses the ailment and diseases of the hidden parts of the body by using Ultrasound (Sonography), CT Scan (Computed Tomography), X-ray, Fluoroscopy, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), Angiography, PET (Positron Emission Tomography), etc. 

Minimum qualification: 10+2 examination or any equivalent examination with a minimum of 60% of marks from a recognized board Course duration.

Course duration:  3 Years

Admission process: Merit/entrance basis

       Average course fee: INR 10,000 to 8 Lakhs

       Average starting salary: INR 2 to 10 Lakhs

       Top colleges and institutes which offer this course:

• Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, Indore
• M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore
• HM Patel Institute of Post  Graduate Studies, Gujarat
• Government Medical College, J&K
• Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore

PhD IN RADIOLOGY

A doctoral program in radiology includes the study of ultrasound, radiation and other imaging techniques that are used to diagnose injuries in the human body. 

Course duration: 3 Years

Admission process: Merit or entrance test

Additionally, they must have the basic skills of research, and good interpersonal skills, like written and verbal communication ability. A good analytical skill for reading samples along with hands-on training is also necessary. Experience in lab work also makes a person proficient in the subject. Having a general idea of handling computers is also considered an added advantage for the P.hD. program.

Course fee: INR 15,000 to 2 Lakhs

The top colleges which offer PhD in Radiology are as follows:

• National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) – Karnataka
• KLE University – Belgaum 
• Tamil Nadu Government Dental College (TNGDC) – Chennai
• Madras Medical College (MMC) – Chennai
• Manipal University (School of Allied Health Sciences) – Karnataka

Radiology is one of the most popular branches of medical sciences and is a popular choice among medical aspirants across India. The course and Career in Radiology have great scope in the coming future. So, if you are a medical aspirant, you can think of pursuing Radiology!

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