What does a diagnostic radiologist do?
A diagnostic radiologist specializes in operating special imaging equipment such as X-rays and ultrasound to help physicians diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries among patients. Besides operating equipment, a diagnostic radiologist is primarily in charge of assisting patients by answering any inquiries, explaining the processes and how they would feel, providing clear and step-by-step instructions, and helping them feel at ease the entire procedure. Moreover, a diagnostic radiologist gathers and analyzes the images produced by the equipment, communicating the findings to the physicians and nurses.
Diagnostic radiologist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real diagnostic radiologist resumes:
- Assist floor secretaries with pertinent and immediate documentations necessary for patients undergoing surgery or those being transfer to other facilities.
- Read general diagnostic body imaging cases, plain film, CTs, and fluoroscopy/barium studies.
Diagnostic radiologist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 55% of Diagnostic Radiologists are proficient in MRI, Nuclear Medicine, and Thyroid. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Detail oriented, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Diagnostic Radiologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- MRI, 55%
Observed reading results from CT scan, MRI, Nuclear Imagining, Ultra sound and X-ray test.
- Nuclear Medicine, 14%
Board certified Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
- Thyroid, 12%
Experienced in surgery settings and assists during biopsies including breast and thyroid.
- General Diagnostic, 10%
Performed General Diagnostic Radiology, Mammography, and Ultrasound.
- Interventional Procedures, 3%
Performed majority of MRI/MRA and interventional procedures for the group.
- DEXA, 2%
Performed, analyzed and interpreted bone densitometry (DEXA) evaluations.
"mri," "nuclear medicine," and "thyroid" are among the most common skills that diagnostic radiologists use at work. You can find even more diagnostic radiologist responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a diagnostic radiologist to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what diagnostic radiologists do because "physicians and surgeons need to be excellent communicators." Additionally, a diagnostic radiologist resume shows how diagnostic radiologists use communication skills: "review or transmit images and information using picture archiving or communications systems. "
Detail oriented. Many diagnostic radiologist duties rely on detail oriented. "patients must receive appropriate treatment and medications," so a diagnostic radiologist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways diagnostic radiologist responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "provided debtors/ patients with the detailed information needed to collect payment on the debt. "
Dexterity. diagnostic radiologists are also known for dexterity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to diagnostic radiologist responsibilities, because "physicians and surgeons may work with very precise and sometimes sharp tools, and mistakes can have serious consequences." A diagnostic radiologist resume example shows how dexterity is used in the workplace: "provided more hands on support to the ir nurses on preparing sedation documents, pre /post procedures etc. "
Physical stamina. For certain diagnostic radiologist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical stamina." The day-to-day duties of a diagnostic radiologist rely on this skill, as "physicians and surgeons should be comfortable lifting or turning disabled patients, or performing other physical tasks." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what diagnostic radiologists do: "assume responsibility for the safety, mental and physical comfort of patients while they are in the sonographer's care. "
The three companies that hire the most diagnostic radiologists are:
- Mayo Clinic5 diagnostic radiologists jobs
- KPG4 diagnostic radiologists jobs
- Adventist HealthCare2 diagnostic radiologists jobs
Compare different diagnostic radiologists
Diagnostic radiologist vs. Radiology resident
A radiologist is responsible for interpreting and evaluating medical image results to diagnose medical conditions and refer to medical professionals for immediate treatment plans. Radiologists analyze the patient's medical history to determine their medical conditions before the radiology procedure. They utilize various high-level machinery, requiring them to have strong knowledge of operating the equipment to ensure accurate results and reports. A radiologist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in discussing the medical processes to the patients and responding to any inquiries and concerns they may have.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between diagnostic radiologists and radiology resident. For instance, diagnostic radiologist responsibilities require skills such as "mri," "pet," "thyroid," and "general diagnostic." Whereas a radiology resident is skilled in "radiology," "ultrasound," "diagnosis," and "diagnostic images." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Radiology residents tend to make the most money working in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $170,258. In contrast, diagnostic radiologists make the biggest average salary, $190,861, in the health care industry.radiology residents tend to reach similar levels of education than diagnostic radiologists. In fact, radiology residents are 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 20.8% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Diagnostic radiologist vs. Radiologist physician
Each career also uses different skills, according to real diagnostic radiologist resumes. While diagnostic radiologist responsibilities can utilize skills like "pet," "thyroid," "general diagnostic," and "mr," radiologist physicians use skills like "ultrasound," "pacs," "patient care," and "pediatrics."
Radiologist physicians earn higher levels of education than diagnostic radiologists in general. They're 37.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 20.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Diagnostic radiologist vs. Interventional radiologist
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from diagnostic radiologist resumes include skills like "pet," "nuclear medicine," "thyroid," and "general diagnostic," whereas an interventional radiologist is more likely to list skills in "radiology," "ir," "health system," and "gi. "
Interventional radiologists typically earn lower educational levels compared to diagnostic radiologists. Specifically, they're 7.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Diagnostic radiologist vs. Radiologist
Even though a few skill sets overlap between diagnostic radiologists and radiologists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a diagnostic radiologist might have more use for skills like "mri," "nuclear medicine," "general diagnostic," and "mr." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of radiologists require skills like "patients," "pacs," "patient care," and "mammography. "
Radiologists enjoy the best pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $196,566. For comparison, diagnostic radiologists earn the highest salary in the health care industry.In general, radiologists hold similar degree levels compared to diagnostic radiologists. Radiologists are 2.2% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 21.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of diagnostic radiologist
Updated January 8, 2025
