Radiology is an important sector of the medical industry. It refers to the science of imaging and radiation technologies to diagnose or treat health conditions in the human body. There are many career options in this industry, all of them related to providing healthcare services for patients. These careers may be focused on technologies like X-rays, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Ultrasonic, and other forms of radiation.
The question that many aspiring professionals in this field ask is “What opportunities are there for advancement?”. This is an interesting question since so many of these disciplines are very specific. A person has to go through specific educational requirements to understand how to do their unique role.
However, there are plenty of opportunities for career growth in the world of radiology. Here are a few ways that you can advance in your professional ambitions in radiology and how to approach this development.
Educational Level
Before you think about a career in radiology, you need to figure out what level of schooling you are interested in. Are you hoping to jump into a full-time job with just an Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree? Would a Master’s program be enough to get you the job that you are seeking? Are you willing to commit to additional educational programs after that, such as an internship or residency?
Some radiology physician roles could require up to thirteen years of schooling beyond high school before you are fully certified in your role. Others could be obtained with just a few years of undergraduate studies, such as an X-ray technician.
Development Opportunities
In many other industries, employees can advance to higher roles at their company through professional development and experience. For example, a salesman with years of experience could easily transition to a management position in charge of a sales team because of their experience.
It is typically not this simple in radiology. For example, a person who is a radiologic technologist is responsible for creating the images used by doctors to diagnose and treat patient conditions. However, that radiologic technologist cannot gain enough experience to become a full-fledged radiologist. That requires additional schooling. However, there are still opportunities to gain new qualifications to apply for supervisory positions at your practice.
Adding Specialties
For many radiology professionals, the primary option for advancing your career is to add other specialties. For example, a radiologic technologist may have a career in one type of imaging technology. If they learn another method, this can boost their resume significantly so they can provide more services for patients and become more appealing to potential employers. It may not be a way to advance up the career ladder and achieve all your professional goals, but it can strengthen your job experience for the next employer.
Becoming a Professor
A successful career as a sonographer, radiologist, or even radiologic technologist can result in a different job in the future; teaching. Those with lots of experience in the field and a good education background can become professors who teach the next generation of radiologists and X-ray technicians. Although the salary may not be as impressive in this transition, it can be a huge change to your lifestyle.
While a professorship is still hard work, it may be much less stressful and high-pressure than your initial radiology career was. As a result, many radiology professionals eventually find teaching gigs as a satisfying way to pass on their knowledge and experiences while still taking advantage of their education to earn income.
Starting a Private Practice
Another way to advance your career is to open up a private practice. This lets you control the patients you work with and the amount of work you will do. Opening a private practice as a radiologist makes sense for more experienced physicians who have many years of experience in the field. This makes them trustworthy providers that many patients would be willing to pay top dollar for. Generally, private practice providers can earn more than their counterparts, so it could be a viable option if you are ready for the next stage of your career.
How Will You Advance in a Radiology Career?
As you can see, the leadership path in a radiology career is not the same as it is for many other industries. The specific education required for these roles often limits where you can advance without additional education. However, there are some leadership paths that you can take.
Becoming a supervisor, opening a private practice after a successful career, and even becoming a professor are all development opportunities that could create a more appealing work situation. Consider your options and determine what your professional goals are before choosing a path that may be more limited than you think.
