Radiologists
Overview
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Overview
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Job Training
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Examples
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, neurologists, and veterinarians.
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.
Demand
Core Tasks
Obtain patients' histories from electronic records, patient interviews, dictated reports, or by communicating with referring clinicians.
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.
Prepare comprehensive interpretive reports of findings.
Review or transmit images and information using picture archiving or communications systems.
Communicate examination results or diagnostic information to referring physicians, patients, or families.
Perform interventional procedures such as image-guided biopsy, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, transhepatic biliary drainage, or nephrostomy catheter placement.
Provide counseling to radiologic patients to explain the processes, risks, benefits, or alternative treatments.
Confer with medical professionals regarding image-based diagnoses.
Instruct radiologic staff in desired techniques, positions, or projections.
Coordinate radiological services with other medical activities.
Document the performance, interpretation, or outcomes of all procedures performed.
Establish or enforce standards for protection of patients or personnel.
Develop or monitor procedures to ensure adequate quality control of images.
Recognize or treat complications during and after procedures, including blood pressure problems, pain, oversedation, or bleeding.
Develop treatment plans for radiology patients.
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.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Medicine and Dentistry
97%
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Biology
85%
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
English Language
82%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Education and Training
77%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Physics
74%
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
Computers and Electronics
72%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Customer and Personal Service
71%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Public Safety and Security
65%
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Mathematics
62%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Psychology
62%
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Top 10 Skills
Writing
85%
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Listening
83%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
83%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
83%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Judgment and Decision Making
80%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Speaking
80%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Complex Problem Solving
78%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Monitoring
78%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Social Perceptiveness
75%
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active Learning
73%
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Top 10 Abilities
Problem Sensitivity
93%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Inductive Reasoning
90%
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Deductive Reasoning
85%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Near Vision
85%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Comprehension
85%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
85%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Comprehension
85%
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression
80%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Flexibility of Closure
75%
The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Information Ordering
75%
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Top 10 Work Activities
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
99%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Documenting/Recording Information
95%
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Getting Information
94%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Processing Information
94%
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Assisting and Caring for Others
93%
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Analyzing Data or Information
92%
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Interacting With Computers
92%
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
92%
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
90%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
88%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Detailed Work Activities
Gather medical information from patient histories.
Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities.
Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Send information, materials or documentation.
Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members.
Communicate test or assessment results to medical professionals.
Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
Train medical providers.
Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
Record patient medical histories.
Verify that medical activities or operations meet standards.
Determine protocols for medical procedures.
Develop healthcare quality and safety procedures.
Monitor patients following surgeries or other treatments.
Maintain medical or professional knowledge.
Operate on patients to treat conditions.
Develop medical treatment plans.
Administer medical substances for imaging or other procedures.
Advise medical personnel regarding healthcare issues.
Calculate numerical data for medical activities.
Prepare medications or medical solutions.
Check quality of diagnostic images.
Evaluate treatment options to guide medical decisions.
Supervise patient care personnel.
Manage healthcare operations.
Monitor the handling of hazardous materials or medical wastes.
Prescribe medications.
Verify accuracy of patient information.
Examine medical instruments or equipment to ensure proper operation.
Work Context
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Frequency of Decision Making
How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Electronic Mail
How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
Work With Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
Education
Majors
Major
Interests
Investigative
96%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Realistic
86%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Social
67%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Conventional
43%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Artistic
24%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Enterprising
15%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Top 10 Work Styles
Attention to Detail
91%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
87%
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Dependability
87%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Analytical Thinking
86%
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Achievement/Effort
85%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Integrity
85%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self Control
85%
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Persistence
84%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Stress Tolerance
83%
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Cooperation
81%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Work Values
Achievement
81%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Independence
77%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Recognition
77%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Support
77%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Relationships
72%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Working Conditions
72%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
