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Cardiothoracic Radiologist |
Career OverviewA doctor that has completed his or her training and gone on to complete training in radiology, specializing in the heart, lungs, pleura, chest wall and mediastinum, is a cardiothoracic radiologist. Unlike physicians who examine patients, review their medical history and then treat the patient for medical problems, diseases or injury, a cardiothoracic radiologist performs the radiology testing necessary and then determines the results.
A cardiothoracic radiologist uses radiological images so they can use the results from diagnostic testing to detect the problems. Some of the devices they use are x-rays, radioactive substances and scanning devices.
A cardiothoracic radiologist takes training to understand all aspects of cardiothoracic anatomy from chest computed tomography scans and chest radiographs. The posteroanterio chest radiograph identifies anatomic structures on some of the following: lung lobes, trachea and carina, fissures, aorta and pulmonary arteries. CT chest studies identify the following: lung lobes, heart ventricles, pleura, right and left main bronchus and esophagus. The lateral chest radiograph identifies such things as the right and left upper and lower lung lobes, left and right pulmonary arteries and descending, traverse and ascending portions of the aorta. After a cardiothoracic radiologist produces medical images, they then interpret their findings and use these to diagnose the patient’s disease.
After comparing these to other tests or examinations given to the patient the cardiothoracic radiologist discusses the results with the physician who requested the testing. A cardiothoracic radiologist uses all the new and advanced technologies available in not only functional but also diagnostic analyzing to enable them to determine or distinguish the nature of the problem or illness.
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Career RequirementsThe requirements to become a cardiothoracic radiologist require many years of hard work and studying. After completing four years of medical school, they enter into five years of diagnostic radiology including one year in cardiothoracic imaging. Subspecialty certification requires an additional two or more years.
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Job OutlookJob opportunities for cardiothoracic radiologists continues to grow as the increasing and aging population demands better levels of healthcare using the newest technologies, therapies and diagnostic testing. Growing faster than other occupations, they expect the employment for cardiothoracic radiologists to continue this trend through the year 2014 due to the expanding healthcare field.
There are shortages in cardiothoracic radiology as it is a relatively new occupation. The need for specialists in geographic areas such as low-income and rural should bring new entrants, which also forces schools to increase program admittance and hospitals to expand residencies. Because this happens gradually, cardiothoracic radiologists and other physicians may delay retirement and increase their workload.
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Career TrackThere are many options for advancement or changes that a cardiothoracic radiologist has available to him or her. Many may choose to remain in a hospital setting but enter into management or become a senior staff leader on a treatment team.
Others may enter practice privately, work in private hospitals and clinics or enter the education and teaching field. A cardiothoracic radiologist may decide to work in a university medical centre or enter into research privately or for a large laboratory.
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CompensationApproximately $318,000 to over $451,000 is the annual salary for cardiothoracic radiologists.
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