Radiology

First Year Trainee Headcount*

Advanced Trainee Headcount*

New College Fellow Headcount*

Specialist Headcount*

Median Age*

Headcount Over 65 Years Old*

*WA figures sourced from NHWDS & MET

Radiologists specialise in diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases using medical imaging procedures such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography (PET) and ultrasound.

Radiologists generally work as either diagnostic radiologists or interventional radiologists.

As a diagnostic radiologist you will interpret CT scans, MRIs, PET scans and ultrasounds to assist in the diagnosis of the patient’s conditions. You will need a good understanding of anatomy, physiology and medical and surgical conditions to provide advice on the best imaging option to the requesting clinician.

In diagnostic radiology, there are many areas of interest you may choose to subspecialise in including women’s imaging, chest & cardiovascular radiology, abdominal radiology, paediatric radiology, musculoskeletal radiology, head and neck radiology and neuroradiology. These areas all have associated imaging guided interventional procedures that you may get involved in even if you do not chose to subspecialise in interventional radiology. Subspecialisation occurs through completing a fellowship beyond training.

Subspecialising in interventional radiology (IR) involves diagnosing and treating patients using highly specialised image guided, minimally invasive techniques.

Radiology training is also one of the pathways to becoming a Nuclear Medicine Physician. This has the outcome of a dual trained Radiologist/Nuclear Medicine physician.

FULL PANEL RECORDING

As a radiologist you will need to be:

Accurate and careful, with an eye for detail
Motivated and disciplined
Excellent at analysis and interpretation
Able to work long hours and on call, especially during the training to become a radiologist
Comfortable with periods of reporting and focusing on images.

How do you get exposure to radiology experience?

What is the work-life balance like as a radiologist?

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists outlines a structured 5 year training program involving work based assessments, examinations and research.

The regular weekly work of a radiology registrar is diverse including daily reporting of a range of subspecialty imaging, interventional procedures, busy after hours acute imaging reporting and dedicated teaching sessions. There is a mix of both day work and after hours shifts as the WA Tertiary Radiology services run for 24 hours every day.

Western Australia radiology training has a state-wide application process which is highly competitive. A minimum of two post graduate training years are to be completed prior to admission. Successful candidates rotate through Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Royal Perth Hospital and Perth Children’s Hospital. There are also rotations through private radiology clinics in Perth and Bunbury.

There are a number of avenues to experience the profession of Radiology prior to applying for a training position.

There are resident positions in the interventional radiology sections of both Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Fiona Stanley Hospital
Short observerships are available in the radiology departments of the tertiary hospitals
Consider radiology research with a radiologist as your supervisor
Attend radiology seminars and MDTs associated with your current rotation

Which PGY year do you usually get into training?

How do you get into interventional radiology?

What does a typical day look like for a trainee?

What are the great things about radiology?

Overview of radiology training program

Career prospects are excellent as the medical demand for imaging consistently increases. Radiologists have opportunities to work in both the public and private sector. As well as clinical work, many radiologists get involved in research, innovation, education and academia.

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