Radiologist

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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Attending Physician; Diagnostic Radiologist; Interventional Neuroradiologist; Interventional Radiologist; Musculoskeletal Specialty Radiologist (MSK Specialty Radiologist); Neuroradiologist; Nuclear Medicine Physician; Nuclear Medicine Specialist; Physician; Radiologist

Tasks

• 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.
• Develop or monitor procedures to ensure adequate quality control of images.
• Provide counseling to radiologic patients to explain the processes, risks, benefits, or alternative treatments.
• Establish or enforce standards for protection of patients or personnel.
• Coordinate radiological services with other medical activities.
• Instruct radiologic staff in desired techniques, positions, or projections.
• Participate in continuing education activities to maintain and develop expertise.
• Participate in quality improvement activities including discussions of areas where risk of error is high.

Knowledge

• Medicine and Dentistry
• Biology
• English Language
• Computers and Electronics
• Education and Training
• Customer and Personal Service
• Physics

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Writing
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Active Learning
• Science
• Learning Strategies

Abilities

• Problem Sensitivity
• Inductive Reasoning
• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Written Expression
• Near Vision
• Flexibility of Closure
• Information Ordering
• Category Flexibility
• Speech Clarity
• Speech Recognition
• Perceptual Speed
• Visualization
• Far Vision
• Visual Color Discrimination
• Speed of Closure
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Fluency of Ideas
• Originality
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Number Facility
• Memorization
• Selective Attention
• Finger Dexterity