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Pediatric Radiologist - Career Profile |
Career OverviewA pediatric radiologist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and providing treatment for children from birth through adolescence using radiological imaging. They are experts in choosing the best and most effective imaging techniques to diagnose surgical and medical problems. Pediatric radiologists work with other pediatric specialists or the patient’s pediatrician to provide excellent care of a child. They are concerned with the radiological existence of diseases of children.
The goal of a pediatric radiologist is to provide the very best quality imaging for children and adolescence, in a safe and child friendly environment. Some of the many imaging techniques a pediatric radiologist uses are magnetic resonance imaging or MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, computed tomography or CT and x-rays.
They perform the testing in a safe and proper manner after which the pediatric radiologist examines the test results and makes the proper diagnosis. The pediatric radiologist then sends this to the patient’s physician or doctor requesting the testing.
Using radioactive material and x-rays, a pediatric radiologist is able to analysis and diagnoses diseases, disorders and injuries in infants, children and adolescents. They use these tests to determine the course of treatment necessary. A pediatric radiologist treats malignant and benign growths with exposure to radioisotopes and x-rays.
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Career RequirementsTo become a pediatric radiologist requires many years of training and education. After completing four years of undergraduate school and medical school for four years, they spend another year or more in clinical medicine training.
After completing this training, there is another four years of diagnostic radiology required. A pediatric radiologist trains for another year or more, specializing in imaging equipment used to diagnose problems in children from infants through adolescence.
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Job OutlookThey project that the average, employment growth rate of surgeons and physicians will continue to grow at a very rapid pace through 2014, due to the health care industries expansion. With the latest in diagnostic tools, therapies and diagnostic equipment and the growing and aging population continuing to increase, consumers are demanding the very best health care possible.
For students that are interested in becoming a physician or entering into the pediatric radiologist field, they expect the growth rate to continue climbing. There are shortages that require filling in some geographic locations such as rural and low income, and increasing medical specialty groups that should bring in new entrances, thus encouraging expanded programs in medical schools and more residency slots at hospitals.
There will also be continued job openings available for physicians and surgeons as they reach retirement age over the next eight years.
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Career TrackPediatric radiologists have many choices in career advancement changes available to them. They may take a job as a hospital administrator, teach in residency, medical schools, colleges and universities or enter into private practice. Some may enter into the research field in university laboratories, large medical companies or privately.
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CompensationPediatric radiologists are extremely skilled professionals that provide valuable services to infants through adults in the radiology field and their wages reflect this. A pediatric radiologist’s annual salary ranges from approximately $225,000 to over $325,000.
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