How To Become A Radiologist In Canada

This article captures the road map you will take to becoming not just a radiologist in Canada, but a recognized and registered one. It also highlights the best schools for radiology programs in Canada. If you have been looking for this topic, this is your last bus stop.

Now, if you have a thing for medicine, but do not want to become a paramedic doctor or nurse, you can consider going for radiology. As a matter of fact, radiology is one of the highest-paid specialties in the medical field.

Before we continue, let us see what radiologists do. Radiologists are medical professionals charged with the responsibility of using medical imaging to detect, study, diagnose and treat various kinds of health issues and diseases. They are one of vital personnel found in the medical field.

Students clamor to study this course in Canada due to the country’s standard of education and enabling environment which gives them the opportunity to explore all the system has to offer. To add to that, Canada makes it possible for students to work and study at the same time, unlike other countries.

In this article, I will be walking you through the step-by-step procedures on how to become a radiologist in Canada. I urge you to stick with me till the last sentence. Also, you can check out this post on the Canadian study abroad guide as it will be helpful to you.

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How To Become A Radiologist In Canada

Becoming a radiologist in Canada may seem simple to do, but without proper guidelines on how to go about it, you may end up being frustrated. Below are the various steps you can take if you are interested.

I will list and explain them for you to gain complete insight into the steps.

  • You must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • You must take the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test)
  • Get admission and complete the medical school
  • You must pass your licensing exam
  • You must complete your internship and residency
  • Acquire Board Certification

1.      You must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

The first step to becoming a radiologist in Canada is possessing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The degree when it is related to medicine gives a higher chance of you getting admission into a medical school.

A typical bachelor’s degree takes about four years to get, and your GPA is very essential as it is one of the requirements considered during the admission process into medical school.

2.      You must take the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test)

The next step to becoming a radiologist in Canada is taking the medical college admission test. You must prepare well to get a high score in the exam so as to stand out from other candidates.

The MCAT exam usually takes a duration of 8 hours and is a computer-based examination. It covers four different areas which are the biological and biochemical foundations of living systems, psychological, social, and biological foundations of behavior, critical analysis and reasoning skills, and chemical and physical foundations of biological systems.

3.      Get admission and complete the medical school

After you have written the exam and passed, you will be given admission into medical school. You are advised to complete the study so as to gain full knowledge of what the course is all about, and also get certified at the end.

It is important to note that your first half in medical school will be spent more in the classroom where you will learn some fundamentals, while the second half will be full of hands-on experiences, and clinical.

4.      You must pass your licensing exam

Upon completion of medical school, you must take and pass the licensing exam. This exam tests the knowledge you have garnered so far and also determines your competency to work as a medical practitioner.

The Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE) is considered to be a challenging exam for medical students, hence the need to prepare well.

5.      You must complete your internship and residency

After you have successfully written the MCCEE, you are considered a medical physician, however, you must complete your internship or residency before you can be able to work independently.

The internship is a training and mentoring period where you will work with other experienced physicians to observe and learn more. To become a radiologist in Canada, you must spend at least five years in an internship or residency.

If you are interested in a subspecialty, you will have to complete a clinical fellowship for an additional year.

6.      Acquire Board Certification

It would help if you endeavored to acquire a board certification, though it is not a necessity in practicing as a radiographer in Canada. It only helps to show your expertise in the field.

To get the board certification, you must pass two examinations- the core exam which you can take after 36 months in residency, and the certification exam which you are eligible to sit for after you have successfully passed the core exam.

Best Schools For Radiology In Canada

Here are the various top schools for radiology in Canada. You can enroll in any of them to kickstart your career as a radiologist.

  • University Of Alberta
  • McMaster University
  • University Of Ottawa
  • University Of Toronto
  • University Of British Columbia
  • McGill University
  • University Of Calgary
  • Dalhousie University
  • University of New Brunswick

Conclusion

At this point, I can say that you have been equipped with adequate information on how to become a radiologist in Canada. Do also take a look at the frequently asked questions below to gain more insights.

How To Become A Radiologist In Canada- FAQs

Here are the frequently asked questions about the steps to becoming a radiologist in Canada. Do go through them carefully.

Is A Radiologist A Doctor In Canada?

Yes, a radiologist is a specialized doctor who makes use of medical imaging to detect, diagnose, and provide treatment for diseases.

How Much Do Canadian Radiologists Make?

Radiologists in Canada according to indeed, make about $387,498 per annum

Are Radiologists In High Demand In Canada?

Yes, Canadian radiologists are more needed now than before as there is an increasing demand for radiology.

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