Training in

Clinical Radiology
What is Clinical Radiology?
Clinical radiology relates to the diagnosis or treatment
of a patient through the use of medical imaging.
Diagnostic imaging uses plain X-ray radiology, computed
tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
ultrasound and nuclear medicine imaging techniques to
obtain images that are interpreted to aid in the diagnosis
of disease. Interventional radiologists treat as well as
diagnose disease using imaging equipment.

What does a Clinical

Radiologist do?
Most clinical radiologists work in a public or private
hospital or in private radiology practices. They are there
to assist other doctors in diagnosing and treating illness.
Clinical radiologists do this by understanding when an
imaging test may be needed to answer a clinical question
about a symptom, disease, injury or treatment. If an
imaging test is needed, clinical radiologists know which
test is likely to be the best one to answer the question, or,
if more than one test is needed, in which order the tests
should be done to get the best result. When a clinical
radiologist receives a referral for a test or interventional
treatment, he or she considers the different imaging tests
available, considers the risks and benefits of the different
ways of using imaging to assist in answering the clinical
question, and determines what test or treatment to do
and how best to do it.
Why become a
Clinical Radiologist?
Clinical radiology is at the forefront of
technological advances in clinical medicine.
The ability to produce pictures of the human
body using many different techniques has
revolutionised the practice of medicine over
the past hundred years. Clinical radiologists are
central members of the patient’s multidisciplinary
clinical care team and play an important role in
the diagnosis and treatment of disease in adults
and children (including babies and foetuses).
Clinical radiology offers tremendous scope for a
varied career in clinical medicine, teaching and
research utilising cutting-edge technology. The
practice of clinical radiology is becoming more
highly subspecialised as imaging technology
increases in its sophistication and complexity.

Is Clinical Radiology
for me?
CLINICAL RADIOLOGISTS NEED TO BE
• Accurate and careful, with an eye for detail
• Motivated and disciplined
• Able to work well under pressure
• Able to make good decisions, and solve
problems
• Excellent at analysis and interpretation
• Good at communicating and inspiring
confidence in others.
Dr Tim Joseph
Interventional Radiologist

I came to radiology from a junior medical career

in physician training. I was always fascinated by imaging
aspects of medicine and really began to see the integral role
that imaging plays in patient diagnosis, management and
follow up.

Interventional radiology is an exciting combination of clinical

interaction, procedural work and imaging.

There is a very steep learning curve in radiology. It is both

challenging and exciting, however I have found both my
senior colleagues, the Interventional Radiology Society of
Australasia, and the College very supportive throughout.
Finding a place in interventional radiology requires dedication
and commitment.

In interventional radiology, communication is a real asset.

Patient care doesn’t begin and end while the patient is in the
department; communicating with both the referring team and
the patient before, during and after cases is very important.

I have found interventional radiology very rewarding, often

when patients come to the department they are at their
sickest. While not all patients improve, many of those we see
at follow up are often remarkable in their recovery. I like to
think that we contribute to such outcomes.

Most interventional radiology clinicians would have a wide

range of practice, however there is room for developing
specific interests (such as peripheral vascular, oncology,
embolisation and others).

It is one of a few specialties that has interaction with almost

all aspects of medicine and surgery. You will never be bored
in such a diverse and growing specialty.

One of the things I have enjoyed most about this specialty is

the team work and camaraderie.
How to become a
Clinical Radiologist?
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists
(RANZCR) is the academic body responsible for setting the
standards of the training and assessment required to allow
registration as a specialist in clinical radiology.

With the introduction of network training, clinical radiology

registrars will experience practice in a variety of settings
including metropolitan and regional/rural/non-tertiary. This
reflects the reality of current practice, with clinical radiologists
working in a range of centres (rural/regional and metropolitan;
private and public) throughout Australia and New Zealand.

The RANZCR training program runs for a minimum of five

years, commencing with general radiology with more
system-focused rotations in the fourth and fifth years.

Entry into the training program, as for many specialties, is

highly competitive.

The aim of the clinical radiology training program is to provide

broad experience in all current imaging modalities. The
standards are set to ensure that, at the end of the training
program, the trainee is capable of performing as a consultant
in clinical radiology and can be recommended to the various
medical boards and specialist recognition committees in
Australia, New Zealand and Singapore for registration as a
specialist in diagnostic radiology.

Appointments for accredited training positions are advertised

directly through accredited training hospitals. Each training
hospital recruits at different times of the year.

A register of accredited training sites can be viewed on the

RANZCR website at www.ranzcr.edu.au
What is required to become
a Clinical Radiologist?
TO BE ACCEPTED INTO THE COLLEGE’S TRAINING PROGRAM,
A CANDIDATE MUST
a) Have appropriate basic medical qualifications:
i. Be a graduate of a medical school recognised by the
Medical Board of Australia and the Board of the RANZCR
(or have successfully completed both Part I and Part II AMC
examinations for overseas medical graduates in Australia)
or
ii. Be a graduate of a medical school recognised by the
Medical Council of New Zealand and the Board of the
RANZCR (or have successfully completed the NZREX for
overseas medical graduates in New Zealand)
or
iii. Be a graduate of a medical school recognised by the
registering authority of the country in which the RANZCR
training program is conducted and the Board of the
RANZCR
AND
b) Be fully registered as a medical practitioner by the registering
authority recognised by the Board of the RANZCR, in the state
or country in which the RANZCR training program is conducted
AND
c) Have completed at least two full years in an approved
hospital as an intern/resident.

IN ADDITION TO THE PRE-REQUISITES OUTLINED ABOVE,

CANDIDATES MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA
• High standard of academic performance
• Dedication and interest in pursuing a career in clinical
radiology
• Good interpersonal and professional communication skills
• Personal commitment to continuing professional education
and development
• Satisfactory professional referee reports
• Satisfactory reports from previous and current employers
• Interest and commitment to research.
Training in Clinical Radiology
The training program runs for a minimum of five years,
commencing with general radiology with more system
focused rotations in the fourth and fifth years. New trainees
follow a curriculum that reflects the breadth and depth
of knowledge and experience required to become a
competent and safe clinical radiologist.

With the introduction of network training, radiology

registrars will experience practice in a variety of settings,
including metropolitan and regional/rural. This reflects the
reality of current practice, with clinical radiologists working
in a range of centres (rural/regional and metropolitan;
private and public) throughout Australia and New Zealand.

THE CLINICAL RADIOLOGY TRAINING PROGRAM

Phase 1: 3 years of general radiology training
Phase 2: 2 years of system-focused rotations for advanced
radiology training.

TRAINING IN CLINICAL RADIOLOGY WILL INCLUDE:

• Patient Care & Safety • Chest Imaging
• Report Writing • Neuroimaging
• Key Conditions in Early • Head & Neck Imaging
Training • Musculoskeletal Imaging
• Applied Imaging • Paediatric Imaging
Technology • Breast Imaging
• Radiological Anatomy & • Obstetric &
Normal Variants Gynaecological Imaging
• Pathology • Vascular Imaging &
• Abdominal Imaging Intervention

More information on the curriculum is available at the

RANZCR website www.ranzcr.edu.au
Dr Katerina Mastrocostas
Fifth year trainee

As a medical student, I didn’t get much exposure to

clinical radiology and wasn’t really sure what the work involved.
But in my first term as an intern, I spent plenty of time in the
radiology department arranging swallow studies, CT scans, biliary
procedures... And I even learned what a portal vein embolisation
involved!

The clinical radiologists were always able to solve the problem.

Whether it was an unclear diagnosis, a complication post
procedure, a biopsy or a therapeutic procedure, the patients went
to the radiology department with a problem, and came back with
an answer.

Not being able to rotate into radiology as a junior doctor was a big
challenge for me, as you don’t get the opportunity to spend time
there and get a good feel for what the daily work involves.

If you’re interested in finding out more about clinical radiology I

recommend speaking to a clinical radiologist or trainee clinical
radiologist to get a feel for the day-to-day life.

The thing I enjoy most about clinical radiology is being able to

contribute to the care of a great mix of patients – everyone from
an unborn foetus to elderly patients. There’s a real misconception
that clinical radiologists don’t meet or interact with patients but
that has not been my experience. I’ve been involved in the care of
a wide range of patients - both in the diagnostic and therapeutic
pathways.

I love that clinical radiology is all about problem solving and

working together with the referrers to piece together the puzzle –
which is different for everyone.

After I finish my training at the end of this year, I’ll be going to a

body fellowship overseas and hope to move into neuroradiology
after that as well. As new technologies emerge, there are so many
more things clinical radiologists can contribute.
Your Career Options
A career in clinical radiology allows for a varied
career path in which you can pursue clinical
practice as well as teaching, research or further
study.

Many clinical radiologists choose to subspecialise

to pursue areas of interest including
interventional radiology, neuroradiology, breast
imaging, paediatric imaging, musculoskeletal
imaging and many more.

This is an exciting and rewarding profession

that combines the best aspects of patient care
with highly advanced diagnosis and treatment
techniques.
About The Royal
Australian and New
Zealand College of
Radiologists
The Royal Australian and New Zealand
College of Radiologists (RANZCR) is a not-
for-profit association of members who
deliver skills, knowledge, insight, time and
commitments to promote the science and
practice of the medical specialties of clinical
radiology (diagnostic and interventional)
and radiation oncology in Australia and New
Zealand.
The Faculty of Clinical Radiology is the peak
bi-national body for setting, promoting
and continuously improving the standards
of training and practice in diagnostic and
interventional radiology for the betterment of
the people of Australia and New Zealand.
Mission: The mission of The Royal Australian
and New Zealand College of Radiologists
is to drive the appropriate, proper and safe
use of radiological and radiation oncological
medical services for optimum health outcomes
by leading, training and sustaining our
professionals.
 Contact Us
THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGISTS ®
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Level 9, 51 Druitt Street, Floor 6, 142 Lambton Quay
Sydney NSW 2000 AUSTRALIA Wellington 6011 NEW ZEALAND
Ph: 61 2 9268 9777 Ph: 64 4 472 6470
Fax: 61 2 9268 9799 Fax: 64 4 472 6474

Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Where can I find more information?

www.ranzcr.edu.au
www.ranzcr.edu.au/about/radiology
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
@RANZCRCollege
www.facebook.com/RANZCR
The Royal Australian and New Zealand
College of Radiologists

Copyright for this publication rests with The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists ®