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Radiologists

Diagnose and treat diseases and injuries using medical imaging techniques, such as x rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, and ultrasounds. May perform minimally invasive medical procedures and tests.

What you’d do

  • Prepare comprehensive interpretive reports of findings.
  • Perform or interpret the outcomes of diagnostic imaging procedures including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), nuclear cardiology treadmill studies, mammography, or ultrasound.
  • Document the performance, interpretation, or outcomes of all procedures performed.
  • Communicate examination results or diagnostic information to referring physicians, patients, or families.
  • Obtain patients' histories from electronic records, patient interviews, dictated reports, or by communicating with referring clinicians.
  • Review or transmit images and information using picture archiving or communications systems.
  • Confer with medical professionals regarding image-based diagnoses.
  • Recognize or treat complications during and after procedures, including blood pressure problems, pain, oversedation, or bleeding.

Skills that matter

  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Writing

How to get there

Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher

Also called

  • Diagnostic Radiologist
  • Nuclear Medicine Physician
  • Physician
  • Radiologist
  • Attending Physician
  • Interventional Neuroradiologist

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