Health Service Categories and Careers

A-Z OF SERVICES

Clinical Radiology is the medical specialty which uses quality medical imaging to guide patient care, inform diagnoses and treatment, and to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. It studies anatomy, pathology, AI, diagnostic radiology, procedural radiology, safe practice, clinical management and continuity of patient care. Diagnostic radiology involves various radiology modalities - X-ray, Ultrasound, Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan, Nuclear Medicine (NM) scans, and Mammography. It involves special areas of interest, including breast radiology; cardiac radiology; thoracic radiology; gastro-intestinal radiology; molecular imaging and radionuclide radiology; paediatric radiology; musculoskeletal radiology; neuroradiology; head and neck radiology; uro-gynaecological radiology; and core interventional radiology. Procedural radiology includes fluoroscopy and angiography, and other image-guided therapeutic and surgical interventions. Image interpretation, clinical report writing, and communication, are important aspects of this field, as is continued professional development in new technologies. Radiology services are provided in hospital radiology departments and private clinics, across emergency, inpatient and outpatient settings, and secondary and tertiary care centres. Radiology collaborates with other medical specialties to ensure continuity of patient care and shared decision-making. Interventional Radiology is a sub-specialty of Clinical Radiology, which focusses on the use of minimally invasive percutaneous image-guided and endovascular techniques, which provide therapy to specific parts of the body, and offer an alternative to conventional surgical and medical treatment strategies.

Radiology (Clinical and interventional) Jobs

Radiologists are doctors who specialise in performing and interpreting diagnostic imaging tests, and other interventional procedures, which use radiology modalities including X-ray, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and magnetic resonance imaging equipment. Their services are integral to patient care, including emergency and acute care, primary care, and specialised secondary and tertiary care. They produce and interpret quality images of the body to help achieve accurate diagnoses and monitor responses to treatment. They receive referrals from medical specialists and work with patients to achieve optimal imaging outcomes. They provide expert advice and reporting of results to their medical colleagues, and work within the wider clinical multi-disciplinary team, often leading teams in radiology departments. Radiologists often specialise in an area of radiology which may relate to the type of technology used, eg. diagnostic ultrasound or interventional radiology, or the area/mechanism of the body, such as gastrointestinal radiology, neuroradiology or musculoskeletal radiology. To pursue a career in this field, doctors complete foundation training, followed by clinical radiology training, from ST1, a five year training program which leads to RCR membership, a CCT and specialty registration with the GMC. From ST4, clinical radiologists can sub-specialise in Interventional Radiology.

Registrars (Radiology) are undertaking specialised training in Clinical Radiology. They work under Radiologists and develop technical and procedural skills and clinical expertise in this field. They gain valuable work experience in providing diagnostic and interventional radiology services to patients. They work in collaboration with the wider medical team, where they support junior members and receive support from senior staff.