Clinical Radiology
Your Pathway into Clinical Radiology training in North Queensland
Entry Requirements
- General medical registration
- Completion of PGY2
- Refer to The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) for further information on selection and/or eligibility
Total Training Time
Total: minimum 5 years (full-time)
Minimum 5 years (full-time) across the 3 phases of training. For further information on the training phases for the program please refer to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR).
How To Apply
All clinical radiology training positions are managed centrally through the Queensland Radiology Training Network. New applicants need to contact the clinical radiology allocation coordinators at the preferred facility and apply directly to the advertised positions via Smartjobs.
Once a training position has been secured, applicants will also need to complete and submit an application form to the college found on the RANZCR website. Continuing trainees must apply to the RMO campaign for continual selection by the Queensland Radiology Training Network to your training facility. When applying to the RMO campaign, candidates can preference up to five hospitals at step 10 in the process. Candidates should always discuss employment opportunities with their preferenced facilities or training programs before submitting an application. The hospitals accepting applications in our region are Townsville University Hospital and Mackay Base Hospital. For more information on the campaign and application process go to the Queensland Health website.
Application Deadline
Key dates for application submission, assessment and selection rounds are available on the Queensland Health Recruitment Campaign website for application through the RMO campaign. Once the campaign closes, only your preferenced facilities or training programs can access your online application and attachments to assess and conduct meritorious recruitment activities. The facility or training program may contact candidates to discuss applications, employment opportunities or organise interviews.
Each specialty training college has different application dates so ensure you refer to the individual website for information. Consider these dates in conjunction with the RMO campaign key dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect as a Clinical Radiology trainee?
In training, in-depth use of radiopharmaceuticals (radioisotopes) is used in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Most of the training is work-based, focussing on the practical implementation of skills and knowledge. Trainees are supervised while undertaking the training until they are ready to practice independently.
What is a Clinical Radiologist?
Clinical radiologists utilise advanced X-ray, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment to produce and interpret medical imagery. Radiologists are pivotal in diagnosing, treating, and monitoring the progress of injuries and diseases in humans. Clinical radiologists are highly qualified medical professionals who have undertaken an intensive clinical radiology training program to be recognised in Australia and New Zealand as specialists in their field.
Clinical radiologists fall into two different categories: diagnostic radiologists and interventional radiologists. Both types produce and interpret medical imagery to diagnose illness and injury. The difference between a diagnostic radiologist and an interventional radiologist is that an interventional radiologist takes the findings from the medical imagery one step further. Interventional radiologists will treat the disease or injury and perform medical procedures, for example biopsies whereby the radiologist will steer a needle, fine plastic tubes (catheters) and wires around the body (guided by the medical imagery) to complete medical procedure such as the treatment of kidney stones or blocked arteries.
What abilities are important in this speciality?
To study Clinical Radiology, the trainee commits to several years of intensive Clinical Radiology training. The training requires 5 years of full-time training in Australia. Therefore, trainees must be motivated and passionate about the program to see it through.
Aside from academic skills and experience, highly regarded radiologists have strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills. Radiologists must be excellent at interpreting results to make decisions under pressure. Lastly, Clinical radiologists must be effective and clear communicators, working with both health professionals and patients to deliver diagnosis and treatment where applicable.
How many applicants get selected per year?
The number of applicants selected differs from year to year. In 2021, for example, there were 9 successful applicants in total from 45 total applicants for the QLD training program. In Australia, there are 2,187 specialists in total.
What is it like living in North Queensland?Â
The northern Queensland region offers a well-balanced mix of quality education and a relaxed or adventurous lifestyle, depending on your preference. With the convenience of cities close by, but the benefit of reasonable housing costs and vast landscapes a stone’s throw away, Northern Queensland is hard to beat.
Each regional centre is small enough to escape the hustle and bustle of big city life, but large enough to boast a range of facilities for socialising and entertainment. You can make the most of the great outdoors through rainforest hikes, mountain biking and snorkelling or scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Living and working in Northern Queensland offers a great balance for all ages and stages, with short commute times putting more hours back into your workday, and plenty to explore on the weekends.
Networking and industry social opportunities are to be found in the tightknit hospital and health communities. Our vision is to improve the health of communities in the northern Queensland region by addressing the shortage of doctors in the area, a passion which unites the students, interns, junior doctors, and specialists training and working here.
Our training region ensure trainees have access to a wide range of hospital and health settings of varying sizes and capabilities offering diverse case load and case mix. These training areas include the following health service areas: Cairns, Central West, Mackay, North West, Torres and Cape, and Townsville.
References
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website aims to assist medical students and doctors in training with medical career planning. While every effort has been made to ensure the information is current and accurate, all details should be verified through the relevant Specialist College.
NQRTH is an initiative of the Australian Government's Integrated Rural Training Pipeline (IRTP) and is facilitated by James Cook University in partnership with public and private hospitals, Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC), health services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and GP clinics.
Cairns region
(07) 4226 8187
Central West region
(07) 4764 1547
Mackay region
(07) 4885 7122
North West region
(07) 4764 1547
Torres and Cape region
(07) 4095 6103
Townsville region
(07) 4781 3424