Getting Started in NSW
10 Tips for preparing your CV
The following tips and suggestions are designed around the selection criteria used for the NSW Health Radiology Trainee (accredited registrar) applications. It is informed by the experiences and strategies used by successful applicants. In essence, the goal is to brand your portfolio as one of a radiologist.
[icon name=”running”] Stepping stones – The stepping stones icon indicates how the given tip also relates to common backup positions for applicants who are unsuccessful in gaining acceptance into the RANZCR training program.
1
PREPARATORY COURSES
Radiation Physics
Undertaking a radiation physics course and scoring highly in the mock exam demonstrates your readiness for the RANZCR Part 1 Applied Imaging Technology (AIT) exam.
Early in the course of clinical radiology training, trainees are required to pass the physics-based AIT barrier exam. Undertaking a radiation physics course before entry is beneficial from two points of view:
1. Application for training – fulfilling the selection criteria and demonstrating your academic excellence
The emphasis upon preparation is strongly reflected in the selection criteria in all of the trainee positions advertised throughout NSW.
“Demonstrated interest in radiology training and preparation for Radiology training (including Part 1 RANZCR exams and other curriculum requirements).
– from the NSW Health Radiology Trainee Selection Criteria, 2021
Scoring highly in any mock exams not only demonstrates your academic excellence but gives confidence to the selection committee in your ability to pass the actual AIT exam. This increases your favourability as an applicant as some departments have had difficulty in the past progressing their trainees due to failure in the AIT exam.
It is important to recognise that some applicants have been successful in gaining acceptance into the training program without having undertaken any preparatory courses. However, given the competitiveness of entry into the program and the eventual need to pass the Part 1 barrier exams, undertaking a preparatory course is highly recommended.
2. Progression towards fellowship – improving your chances of passing the actual AIT exam
The AIT exam is a barrier in which RANZCR trainees must pass within the first two years of training. This equivalates to a maximum of 4 potential attempts (usually in March and September of each year). As the first possible sitting in March would be held soon after the trainee commences training in February, it is virtually impossible to pass the exam without prior preparation. Hence, preparation is recommended in your prevocational years.
If the trainee is unable to pass the exam within the two year timeframe, they may be removed from the program, regardless if they have only attempted the exam once or twice. That is, each exam sitting not attempted is for all intents and purposes considered a ‘fail’.
You can explore physics summary notes through the Knowledge Base, which covers the entire RANZCR AIT curriculum. You can also browse the entire archive of Past Papers with suggested answers.
Radiologica offers an online radiation physics course which covers the main RANZCR curriculum topics and awards a course certificate upon successful completion.
Alternatively, the Westmead Hospital Physics Course is another recognised 19 week course.
Anatomy
Undertaking an anatomy course and scoring highly in the mock exam demonstrates your readiness for the RANZCR Part 1 Anatomy exam.
The anatomy exam is the other component of the Part 1 exams which all trainees must complete within the first two years of commencement of training. It is composed of two papers which examine trainees on anatomy and radiological anatomy.
You can explore the anatomy summary notes through the Knowledge Base, which covers the entire RANZCR anatomy curriculum. You can also browse the entire archive of Past Papers with suggested answers.
Radiologica is also adding radiological anatomy short courses to the repository.
2
RESEARCH
Publish & present research
Having published research is increasingly the norm for a number of competitive training programs such as radiology.
The popular choice of research paper chosen amongst successful applicants are often significant case studies, pictorial reviews or literature reviews.
Tips and Tricks
- Find out if there are any ongoing projects in your local radiology department.
- Find out whether your project idea has potential to be presented at any upcoming conferences.
- Partner with another willing applicant and divide your project idea into two publishable papers, sharing credit appropriately in the authorship.
- Ensure you’re the first author of work that you undertake
PhD or Research Masters degree pathway
It is true that a number of successful trainees have taken non-clinical years to obtain higher-degree research qualifications with academic radiologists. However, there are few key points to consider:
- Not all applicants who have undertaken the PhD/Masters pathway have been successful in entry into the training program
- Consider the impact of taking non-clinical years on your own financial situation. There are government scholarships and stipends available to support you (see Research Training Program).
Radiology Research Registrar pathway
The unaccredited radiology research registrar position at Royal North Shore Hospital is a great backup plan which can help enhance your research portfolio whilst being involved with the radiology department. People who have undertaken this pathway have been successful on acceptance on to the training program. However, application for this job itself requires both proven interest in research and published research.
“Demonstrated interest in radiology training and preparation for Radiology training (including Part 1 RANZCR exams and other curriculum requirements).
– from the Radiology Research Unaccredited Registrar Selection Criteria, 2021
Radiologica hosts a Job and Research opportunities board which you should check regularly.
3
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
Get involved with the Medical Imaging department
Whilst there are various avenues for getting involved with quality improvement projects within your hospital, it may be strategic to focus on the radiology department.
“Understanding quality improvement principles, commitment to CME, audit, implementation of practice improvement initiatives..
– from the NSW Health Radiology Trainee Selection Criteria, 2021
As illustrated above, to fulfil this selection criterion you must demonstrate your involvement with quality improvement and practice improvement initiatives. Conducting a project within the radiology department has the additional benefit of demonstrating your interest to the Directors of Training.
Here are some potential ideas to consider:
- Clinical audit
- Patient and referrer surveys
Do not forget that the radiography staff comprise the majority of the radiology department and there are usually quality assurance or senior radiographers brimming with project ideas. Be sure to also apply for internal hospital awards for quality improvement projects to recognise your efforts and maximise the ‘return on investment’.
4
CLINICAL ROTATIONS
The importance of choosing the right terms
It is often said that there are no prerequisite terms for radiology training, however, a careful look at both the selection criteria of the RANZCR trainee position and common backup positions reveals otherwise.
An analysis of the selection criteria for NSW health training reveals that you must have recent exposure to
- Emergency medicine
- After-hours duties
- Procedural work
“Minimum of two years postgraduate experience at start of training (ie: PGY3 or above), with recent clinical practice – including emergency medical care, after hours rostered duties and procedural work
– from the NSW Health Radiology Trainee Selection Criteria, 2021
The procedural work criterion is interesting and should not be ignored. Procedural work would include not only surgical experiences, but also experiences in the Emergency Medicine and Intensive Care. Critical care terms provides you the following possible benefits:
- Procedural work such as line placement (this procedural techniques used aligns closely with some of the work in interventional radiology)
- Exposure to radiology meetings
- Interaction with interventional radiology and surgical teams and their patients
Critical care rotations also helps fulfil the other criterion:
“Demonstrated ability to work independently within a complex health care setting with proven time management and problem solving skills.
– from the NSW Health Radiology Trainee Selection Criteria, 2021
Neurointerventional Senior Resident Medical Officer pathway
Consider terms in neurology and neurosurgery, as it may be advantageous for application to the neurointerventional SRMO positions offered at Liverpool and Prince of Wales Hospital. Many people who have undertaken these positions have been successful in getting on the training program, noting that some pursue career in neurosurgery instead.
” Documented interest or research in neurosciences and/or interventional radiology
– Liverpool Neurointerventional SRMO Selection Criteria, 2021
“ Previous rotations through Neurology and/or Neurosurgery desirable
– Prince of Wales Neurointerventional SRMO Selection Criteria, 2021
5
TEACHING & MENTORING
Supervising medical students on the ward is not enough
Holding a recognised University clinical title, such as an Associate Clinical Lecturer or Tutor position provides stronger evidence to your commitment to teaching.
It is may not be distinguishing enough to state that your involvement with teaching is limited to medical student supervision on the wards. Teaching is a truly worthwhile experience as you play an important role in the making of a doctor.
Find out which University’s Clinical School is attached to your hospital and enquire as to how to become formally involved in teaching. Most universities require a minimum term of teaching before a clinical title can be awarded so start early.
Furthermore, almost all medical schools have a mentoring program. This is a great way to build a small support network for your future colleagues and is equally as rewarding. There are often less requirements to becoming a mentor than a clinical associate of the university.
6
CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION
Show your interest in radiology
Undertaking online courses, webinars, attending conferences and meetings are some ways to demonstrate your commitment to CME.
Radiologica hosts a variety of online courses for you to peruse at your own leisure. All courses offered provided a Certificate of Completion which can be used to substantiate your CV portfolio.
7
TEAMWORK
Be a leader and a team member
At the end of the day, regardless of how impressive your CV portfolio is, selection committees want to hire a colleague they can get along with easily on a daily basis.
Demonstrating your ability to work well in team environments as both a member and a leader is highlighted in the trainee selection criteria.
“ Understanding and promotion of collaborative effort and empathy within a heterogeneous team environment such as a radiology department
– NSW Health Radiology Trainee Selection Criteria, 2021
Personal references (two of which are required in NSW applications) should be able to strongly attest to these personal qualities.
There are other ways to address this criterion in your CV portfolio. Here are some radiology specific examples of promoting collaborative effort which you could consider in your prevocational years of training:
- Assisting radiologists prepare for radiology multidisciplinary team meetings.
- Assisting with preparation of morbidity & mortality meetings
8
THE X FACTOR
Stand out
Are you an Olympian? Do you teach art classes?
Don’t neglect to showcase achievements related to your personal interests and hobbies.
The so-called ‘X Factor’ may not be something that you could necessarily work towards improving or starting for the purposes of a resume. It is more of an intrinsic personal quality or strength that is reflected in the unique interests that you have. Instead, it is mentioned in these Tips and Tricks to ensure you do not neglect this non-academic component of your resume and see its value when applying for a job.
Including an ‘Interests & Hobbies’ component to your resume helps portray you as a well-rounded individual who can manage time well enough to pursue non-academic endeavours. It is also entirely possible that you share some common interests with those on the selection committee which may make you a relatable future colleague on a social level.
9
PLAN B
Find a back up
There are various pathways which lead towards a career in radiology. It is important to ensure when preparing a CV portfolio for radiology, that you give attention to a backup pathway.
This article already mentions a few Stepping stone back up positions or pathways, but here’s a list of each one and a brief description
| Position | Description | Locations |
| Neurointerventional Radiology SRMO | Assist with clinical management of neurointervention patients | Liverpool, Prince of Wales |
| Interventional Radiology SRMO | Liverpool, Prince of Wales | |
| PET Registrar | Liverpool, Royal Prince Alfred, Westmead | |
| Nuclear Medicine Registrar | Nepean | |
| Nuclear Medicine SRMO | St Vincent | |
| Radiology SRMO | Westmead, Wagga Wagga |
10
CONTRIBUTE
Radiologica is here for a reason!
This e-learning platform & network provides endless opportunities to contribute and demonstrate your interest in radiology as a career. Consider becoming a Contributor and gain formal recognition within the network.
As a Contributor in Radiologica, you can;
- help write knowledge base or blog articles in a field of your interest
- improve the quality of our content
Contributors are awarded a certificate for CV purposes after a minimum of 6 months, 5 original articles and 10 article improvements.
Contributors are also officially acknowledged on a register found here.