Are you captivated by the idea of playing a crucial role in diagnosing and treating patients?
While becoming a doctor is a fantastic pathway to head down, it isn’t the right one for everyone – but there are some incredible alternative opportunities to develop a thriving career in the medical sector!
Whether you see university in your future or not, there are many ways to contribute and make a difference as a healthcare professional.
It’s something our employer partner, I-MED Radiology Network, knows a lot about. As a global leader in medical imaging with 250 clinics and over 6 million patient procedures annually, they’re keen to showcase the diversity of roles.
Keep reading to learn more!
Unveiling Career Possibilities in Medicine
So, where can you start and where could you go? Below I-MED shares some of the key roles that make up their organisation and how you can get involved:
1. Medical Receptionist
Starting at the front lines of patient care, a medical receptionist is often visitors’ first point of contact.
No formal degree is required, making it a great entry point for those looking to enter the healthcare industry. Aspiring medical receptionists can consider the following steps:
- Explore local colleges offering medical terminology courses.
- Enrol in TAFE courses covering Health/Business Administration for a well-rounded skill set.
- Opt for Year 10 work experience at an I-MED clinic to gain firsthand insights into the role.
2. Radiographer, Nuclear Medicine Technologist or Sonographer
For those seeking a more specialised path within medical imaging, the roles of radiographer, nuclear medicine technologist, and sonographer provide exciting opportunities.
These professions require a 4-year undergraduate degree and offer distinct focuses:
- Radiography: Combine physical and biomedical sciences to capture medical images using X-rays, MRI, and CT. You’ll be at the forefront of patient diagnosis and care.
- Nuclear Medicine: Use radioactive materials to produce real-time images of the body’s internal workings. A nuclear medicine technologist’s role involves both diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
- Sonographer: Employ high-frequency sound waves to create images, often recognised for their role in scanning pregnant patients. This path offers a chance to witness life’s beginnings.
3. Radiologist
At the top of the medical imaging hierarchy is the radiologist—a medical doctor who interprets the images captured by technical staff and crafts comprehensive reports for treating physicians.
To embark on this challenging yet rewarding journey, follow these steps:
- Complete a medical degree and become a registered doctor with the medical board.
- Garner 2 years of experience as an intern/resident in an approved hospital.
- Undergo five years of specialised training in radiology, gaining exposure to diverse imaging types and centres.
Which Path Will You Choose?
With I-MED Radiology Network, young teenagers contemplating a career in the medical and healthcare industry have an array of paths to choose from.
From the friendly faces of medical receptionists to the technical expertise of radiographers, nuclear medicine technologists, and sonographers, each role contributes uniquely to patient care.
And for those with aspirations of becoming radiologists, the journey might be long but promises immense growth and fulfilment!
