What's Your Role in Radiology?

Building a rewarding and meaningful career in radiology can’t happen overnight. Strategizing and implementing long-term goals to avoid wasting time in uninspiring roles is crucial to establishing long-term success. However, figuring out exactly how to create a fulfilling career trajectory is a challenge. What are the questions a radiologist or imaging technician should keep in mind when building a career?

What’s my expertise? Radiologists should consider their desired skill set, and pursue the necessary requirements needed in order to become a master in that area. For those who know exactly what they want to do, this step is easy; however, it can be a long, winding road for clinicians who feel lost trying to find their medical artistry. The best way to determine your skill set is to identify your strengths. Are you an open, engaging communicator? Maybe you’re drawn toward a role that mainly focuses on patient interaction. Do you pay great attention to detail? Perhaps your skills should be geared toward image interpretation.

What do I value most? According to the Harvard Business Review, physicians find that people who have found their purpose in life are less susceptible to disease. It’s important to practice what you preach. If you’re not sure what your values are, think about what makes you happy on a daily basis. For example, if you love cooking intricate and complicated dishes, then maybe you’re destined to specialize in an expertise that involves examining subtle abnormalities.

Who do you get along with? Every arena of medicine attracts different types of personalities.
Out of all the colleagues in the radiology department, who are your favorite collaborators? What are their roles? Pinpoint these people, figure out their skills, and determine if their paths best match yours.