Radiology specialist HF: What is everyday working life like?

Radiology specialists HF are mainly employed in hospitals and radiology institutes. However, they can also be found in veterinary medicine, industry and research. Their field of activity mainly comprises medical radiology with the three specialist areas of "diagnostic radiology", "nuclear medicine" and "radiooncology". Radiology specialists work closely with other professional groups, such as doctors, scientists, medical physicists, nurses, IT specialists, representatives from industry and business, educational institutions, etc.

• In thediagnostic radiologythey carry out X-ray examinations of organs, bones, blood vessels and nerve tracts using imaging techniques. The results are classic X-ray images that reveal the inside of the human body.
• In theRadiation oncologytreatment is carried out with targeted radiotherapy over several weeks and under medical supervision (radiotherapy plan). The aim is to cure or alleviate tumors and cancer.
• In theNuclear medicineradiology specialists prepare radioactive substances in the laboratory and then administer them to patients in small and coordinated quantities (to be swallowed, inhaled or injected). The activity or distribution of the administered radioactive substance can then be recorded using special measuring devices. The results are compiled and forwarded to the doctors treating the patient for diagnosis.

In addition to their specialist tasks, radiology specialists are generally responsible for monitoring and caring for patients during treatment. They are also responsible for operating the high-tech equipment independently and autonomously. They are also responsible for the safety of all those involved, including, for example, compliance with radiation protection regulations.

Finally, they are also responsible for work organization, inducting new employees and providing learning support for the students assigned to them.

Target group, personal characteristics and skills: For whom is the HF training course to become a qualified radiology specialist HF suitable?

Do you enjoy working with people, but also have an affinity for technology? Are you fascinated by the world of radiology and its diverse applications in medicine? Do the enormous dynamics in medicine and the constant and rapid technological developments appeal to you? Do you like to take on responsibility and enjoy passing on your knowledge?
If you were able to answer the majority of these questions with "Yes", then you most likely belong to the target group of the HF Radiology Specialist HF course.

The radiology course at the HF is aimed at professionals, preferably from the medical field, who are interested in training with a high level of practical relevance and who subsequently want to hold a degree in their hands that provides an excellent basis for later career steps.

(Prospective) radiology specialists should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Technical affinity
• Physical and mental resilience
• Manual dexterity
• Spatial imagination
• Meticulous way of working
• Empathy
• Sense of responsibility
• Reliability
• Ability to work in a team
• Social competence
• Good communication skills
• Independence
• Willingness to work irregular hours and at night

Requirements for admission to radiology specialist training at a higher technical college:

Admission to the "Radiology Specialist" HF program is generally* subject to the following requirements:

• Completed basic vocational training (EFZ), an apprenticeship in the medical or technical field is an advantage.

Or

• Technical secondary school certificate, vocational baccalaureate, high school baccalaureate or equivalent certificate

And

• Passed aptitude assessment (the schools decide for themselves exactly what this looks like and how it is carried out; there may therefore be differences. In most cases, a personal dossier with CV and letter of motivation must be submitted in advance, followed by a personal interview and an aptitude test on professional and personal competence as well as an aptitude internship lasting several days).
• Professional experience in the medical or technical field

In addition:

• Very good written and oral German language skills (at least level C1 according to the European Language Reference Framework)

Note: Have you been studying chemistry, physics and mathematics for a while? Don't worry, many schools offer corresponding preparatory courses so that you are optimally prepared for your radiology training.

* The universities of applied sciences (HF) decide independently on the admission procedure. There may therefore be differences between the providers. The admission procedure is set out and regulated in the study regulations of the respective HF. It must comply with the relevant legal requirements. More information on this can be found in the answers.

Subject matter and content of the training

The following learning content and topics are covered in training at a higher technical college to become a radiology specialist HF:

• Radiation protection
• Radiation physics
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Pathology
• Psychosociology
• Medical informatics
• Diagnostic radiology
• Cross-sectional imaging
• Radiation oncology
• Nuclear medicine
• Hygiene and infection prevention
• Hazard management

The course content listed here is not an exhaustive list. Although the universities of applied sciences follow the corresponding framework curriculum* when designing their radiology training programs, they have a certain amount of leeway when it comes to designing their continuing education programs. Which learning content is ultimately covered and how it is structured and deepened can therefore vary from HF to HF.

Note: In view of the rapid (technical) developments and findings in medicine, it is mandatory for radiology specialists to undergo further training at least every five years. You can find out more about compulsory further traininghere.

* This is the "Medical-technical radiology" framework curriculum. It is backed by a sponsoring body that is responsible for creating the framework curriculum and periodically (every seven years) reviews it to ensure that it is up to date and of high quality. The sponsoring body is the national umbrella organization of the working world of health (OdASanté).

Costs and financing of further training

You should expect the following costs for the 3-year full-time training course to become a radiology specialist HF:

• Tuition fees:The semester fee depends on the school and your place of residence/canton. For students residing in the canton where they are studying, you can expect to pay an average of around CHF 750 per semester*.
• Registration and admission fee:approx. CHF 150
• Other extra costs:At some schools, you will have to expect additional costs for the radiology course, for example for books, teaching materials, external study days and/or the diploma thesis. The school of your choice will be happy to provide you with detailed information on this.
• Wages for students:Practical work during training is remunerated. The wage rates are regulated cantonally and internally. Please contact the provider of your choice directly.

* Courses at universities of applied sciences are financially supported (subsidized) by the cantons. Students from outside the canton pay higher tuition fees. The following requirements apply in order to receive cantonal subsidies:

• at least two years of residence in the canton
• The course is listed on the EDK (Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education) list of eligible courses (you will find the link to the list in the answer texts).

The cantonal subsidies are usually regulated by the school, and these subsidies are usually already included in the tuition fees stated by the schools.

Duration of study, number of learning hours, forms of learning, teaching times, teaching format and learning effort

• Duration of studyRadiology training to become a radiology specialist HF at a university of applied sciences takes three years and is only offered full-time.
• Number of learning hoursThe course comprises 5400 learning hours. At least 40% to a maximum of 50% of this takes place at school. The other at least 50% to max. 60% are spent in practice.
• Forms of learningThe learning hours are divided into the following academic and practical educational components:
  • School as a place of learning: This is where the relevant theoretical knowledge is taught.
  • Practice learning location: This is where students receive their clinical training, which involves working directly with patients.
  • There are training and transfer sequences at both the school and practice learning venues, in which, for example, the necessary skills are practiced on the equipment.
• Lesson timesAs this radiology specialist training course is a full-time course, lessons generally take place every day. When exactly the individual theoretical and practical sequences are carried out at school and in the company is very individual and depends on the school and the company, among other things. This is because they can create their own timetables.
• Teaching formatSchool lessons usually take place on site.
• Learning effort: You should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons as well as for self-study - how much depends on your previous knowledge, working style, learning speed and chosen training model.

Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons"/"trial lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. Important aspects on the way to a successful graduation. Take advantage of this opportunity and contact the school of your choice directly.

Degree, diploma and title

During the radiology specialist training course, you will generally have to achieve various qualifications. These can take the form of examinations, for example semester or intermediate examinations, or independent work, for example semester or project work and presentations. The grades for these qualification achievements are then incorporated directly into the final grades.

If you meet all the previous qualifications, you will be admitted to the final diploma examination. This consists of a practice-oriented diploma thesis or a practice-oriented project as well as an internship qualification and a technical interview.

The details of implementation are regulated by the respective HF in its study regulations.

Diploma and title

Graduates of radiology training at a university of applied sciences receive an HF diploma and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected professional title "dipl. Radiologiefachfrau / dipl. Radiologiefachmann HF".

• In French: "Technicienne en radiologie médicale diplômée ES / Technicien en radiologie médicale diplômé ES"
• In Italian: "Tecnica di radiologia medica dipl. SSS / Tecnico di radiologia medica dipl. SSS"
• The recommended translation in English is as follows: "Registered Radiographer, Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education". This is not a protected title.