Interviews
Current Position: Residency, Radiology
Please provide your job title, and a brief description of your responsibilities?
My title is physician / radiology resident. My job is the interpretation of MRI, CT, ultrasound, nuclear medicine images, and performing interventional procedures. I am also responsible for consulting other physicians in their attempt to answer specific clinical questions.
What is your background? How did you arrive at this position?
I have a Bachelors in Science in Psychology from Morehouse College, worked as a small business consultant for Dell Computer Corporation, finished medical school at Meharry Medical College, did one year of internal medicine and emergency medicine at Harvard, and I did clinical and basic science research since high school at various locations from Emory and the CDC to Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Would you say that your education prepared you for your current role? Yes. Which subjects or acquired skills best contributed to your success? Which skills or what training may have better prepared you for your position?
I think time management, organizational and leadership roles, communication skills, and computer skills have helped me. I think business education may be useful in the future, in the field of Radiology.
Are you required to travel? How frequently?
No, but if you are presenting research at conferences or going to a board review course you can travel as a resident.
What are your hours?
They vary, but typically 65-79 hours per week.
How has the current state of the economy affected the type of advice you give clients?
We always try to choose the most cost effective screening methods to detect disease in a patient (i.e. mammography), but when answering specific questions, the most definitive exam available (i.e. MRI) may not be the most cost effective.
What do you most enjoy about your job?
Helping clinicians make treatment decisions.
What are some of the challenges?
The volume of material that we are responsible for mastering.
What is the pay range for your position?
50,000 – 60,000
What is the career path for your position?
Taking your prerequisites and finishing a 4 year U.S. accredited college, 4 year U.S. accredited medical school, and finishing 1 year of internship as a physician are required to participate in a radiology residency. The residency is then 4 years in addition to the aforementioned requirements. The most senior position as a resident then would be the 4th year of residency.
What are the key skills necessary to do your job well?
Being able to multitask well, having a systematic approach to things, perseverance, communication skills, good reading comprehension, computer literacy, and compassion.
What advice would you give a student interested in pursuing a similar career path?
Read as much as you can, plan ahead, and understand your weaknesses.
love your site! cant wait to be part of it.
Very impressive!
I learned a few things about you Dr. Jefferson. I’m most excited about what you’re doing up in snow capped mountains (smile) of Colorado. I’m even more excited about the future plans the Lord has for you. I’m glad I got an opportunity to read this interview blog. It’s funny; a few friends of mine had a similar site in mind. This is way cool!
Interesting article, I definitely learned something new about a field I knew very little about. Sounds like an inspirational guy with a good grasp on the importance of life and how to make a difference. I look forward to next month’s article.
This is a very good article. I think this will encourage young children to learn more about the career possibilities available to them through education. Also, it makes a seemingly far fetched career as a physician seem more attainable and normal. Good job!
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Hello Luther. This is “Dean” Hudson formerly of Morehouse College. I left the College in July 2010 to become President/CEO of Child First USA, a child advocacy nonprofit. Check out what I’m into at http://www.childfirstusa.org. Let’s stay in touch.