Radiologist
As a part-time Radiologist in the Army Reserve, you’ll have the opportunity to use your existing qualifications and skills in an exciting new way to provide quality healthcare to the Army. You may work in field or fixed hospitals, in Australia or overseas. Your patients can range from military personnel, refugees (including children and the elderly) and battle casualties if you choose to deploy on operations.
If you’re looking to experience adventure and excitement outside the everyday, earn tax-free pay and work as part of a close-knit team, this is an exciting opportunity that can work around your lifestyle.
What you'll do
You’ll be responsible for interpreting various image types such as x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans and ultrasounds, and performing interventions, either Tier A or B as required depending on circumstances, skills and equipment. You’ll also provide mentorship and training to radiographers, sonographers and other medical practitioners, sharing your skills and passing your knowledge on to the next generation of Army medical experts.
Due to the ever-changing global situation, you may be called on to provide specialist care on land, aviation or in maritime environments that can include responses to humanitarian situations, major international activities and deployment on operations. In future, you could support the Navy on a ship, HMAS Canberra or HMAS Adelaide, or possibly coalition forces from around the globe.
Your duties may include:
- performing imaging examinations and processing
- performing picture archiving and communication system functions
- performing radiology information system functions
- performing imaging governance
- providing advice relating to use of imaging equipment
- where qualified as a sonographer, providing interim reports
- assisting in the planning, coordination, assembly, deployment and function of an ADF medical imaging section within a deployed health facility
- assisting in the operation and maintenance of medical imaging equipment, including the employment of safe radiation principles as a qualified Defence Ionising Radiation Protection Officer
- developing and maintaining individual technical skills
- collaborating with allied health care professionals.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career as an officer. As you progress, the Army will provide you with leadership, management, and specialist skills training to develop your ability to effectively manage your teams. You’ll also be provided with training opportunities to further develop your role-related expertise. This world-class training will strengthen your skillset and enable you to become an influential leader in the Army.
The Army Reserve has units located all across Australia and offers you the flexibility to serve where you live. There are training locations in cities, small towns and regional areas. Even if there isn’t a unit close to you there may be other ways to serve. You’ll have a Careers Coach who you can ask about your options.
As a Reserve Radiologist, you’ll be posted to the 2nd or 3rd Health Battalion based on where your normal full-time employment is. These Battalions are based in Brisbane and Adelaide respectively. You may also be attached to the 2nd and 3rd Health Battalions for periods of operational service or exercise commitments, or to key specialist advisory appointments in a headquarters environment.
Requirements and training
You must be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF. However, Australian permanent residents may be eligible. For more details, visit the "Citizenship" tab on the Eligibility Requirements page.
You can apply for a role in the ADF from 16.5 years of age and must be at least 17 to join. For Reserve service, the maximum age to apply is 60 years, with a Compulsory Retirement Age (CRA) of 65. Candidates who wish to enlist into the Reserves beyond the age of 61 years will need further assessment to ensure they can complete all pre-requisite training in their chosen field prior to reaching CRA.
You’ll need a Radiation Licence in an Australian state or territory. You don’t need a standard Australian driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
The minimum requirement for entry into this role is the appropriate tertiary qualifications and unconditional registration as a medical practitioner with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) in your specialisation.
You must also have obtained Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) or have been recognised by the College as having an equivalent overseas qualification and be listed on the Specialist Register.
You must hold current medical defence insurance and be current in either the RANZCR Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program or a recognised equivalent.
To join the ADF, you must be healthy and physically fit. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment.
Male
- Push-ups: 8
- Sit-ups: 20
- Beep Test: 6.1.
Female
- Push-ups: 4
- Sit-ups: 20
- Beep Test: 6.1.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
There is no minimum number of years required in the ADF Reserve as service is voluntary. You can volunteer until the Defence Reserve retirement age of 65, subject to the requirements and your suitability for further service.
Reserve service is flexible and can fit around your family, life and work responsibilities. In your first year, you can choose to serve between a minimum of 20 and up to 150 days, which includes Initial Employment and Military Training. After that, you can choose to serve 20 to 150 days each year, with the potential to extend to 200 days. On training completion, you can serve from as little as one night a week, one weekend a month, or in consecutive weeks - in a way that suits your lifestyle.
Course: Specialist Service Officer First Appointment Course (SSO FAC)
Duration: 25 days
Location: Royal Military College – Duntroon, Canberra, ACT
You’ll learn fundamental knowledge of:
- leadership and military justice
- weapons handling
- command and control
- unit and personnel administration
- basic military skills
- the ideals of officer behaviour
- attitudes necessary for future employment.
This course is delivered in 2 parts for both full-time and part-time (Reserve) Officers.
- Part 1 – 10 days
- Part 2 – 15 days.
Course: Logistic Officers Basic Course (LOBC) – Health
Duration: 14 days
Location: Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC), Bonegilla, Vic
You’ll undertake this course in the first 12 months of your appointment, where you’ll learn the fundamental skills required to operate in a deployed environment. The course includes theory, practical and simulated activities.
The LOBC aims to provide Logistic and Health Officers with corps and integrated skills and knowledge to fulfil a range of command and health specialised appointments at the rank of Lieutenant in a foundation warfighting environment.