Pediatric radiologists use imaging tests to diagnose health conditions in patients under 18. Becoming one requires extensive education, including four years of medical school, residency, and a one to two-year fellowship. Hands-on experience is gained through internships and rotating internships.
Pediatric radiologists perform and analyze diagnostic imaging tests to describe health conditions in patients younger than 18 years. They provide other pediatricians and surgeons with the information they need to accurately treat a range of injuries and illnesses. In most countries, extensive education and practical training is required to become a pediatric radiologist. An individual usually needs to complete four years of medical school, four years of medical residency, and one to two years of scholarship. With training and certification, a radiologist can choose to work in a children’s hospital, general hospital, specialty clinic or private practice.
A person who wants to become a pediatric radiologist can enroll in a four-year college or university to prepare for medical school. A student can choose to major in biology, medical technology or nursing, with a focus on pre-medical studies. Many undergraduate students seek entry-level internships or positions as radiology technicians while pursuing their bachelor’s degree to gain hands-on experience in the healthcare field. Near the end of college, the student can take a medical school admission test and submit application materials to accredited medical schools.
Once a person is accepted into a medical school, guidance counselors and professors can help them design a degree plan that will provide the best opportunity to become a pediatric radiologist. In addition to the basic classes taken by all future physicians, aspiring radiologists have the opportunity to take advanced courses in diagnostics and interoperative imaging technology. They learn to administer x-rays, CT scans, MRI screens and many other specialized types of radiological tests. Students often participate in lab classes and rotating internships at hospitals while earning their degrees to broaden their understanding of the field.
A medical school graduate who wants to become a pediatric radiologist can apply for a radiology residency position at a general hospital. Most residencies last four years and involve a combination of independent research, lectures and real hands-on training. A resident has the chance to work under the supervision and direction of experienced radiologists to hone their skills. Upon completion of residency training, an individual can take a national exam to gain board certification as a radiologist.
Many physicians begin practicing general radiology after completing their residencies, but a person who wants to become a pediatric radiologist will typically need to apply for a one- to two-year fellowship. During an fellowship, a radiologist learns about the unique concerns involved in diagnosing and treating adolescents, children, and infants. Certain diagnostic procedures and the results they produce are considerably different for young and adult patients. A new physician learns specialized techniques from established pediatric radiologists. After completing a fellowship, the radiologist can take an additional certification exam and begin working unsupervised.
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