Finding a job with a felony record can be quite challenging. Trying to get employment in a hospital setting with a felony -- depending on the type of conviction -- can be nearly impossible. However, there are some simple tips available to individuals with a record who wish to work as a radiologist. Radiologists are physicians who specialize in the diagnostic use of X-rays, MRIs and CT scanners. They also can use radiation in the treatment process, such as oncological radiology. Due to the structure of medical school, you will have a slightly easier time finding employment than felons looking for work in other fields, but there are still some basic tips to keep in mind.
Attend medical school and become an M.D. You will choose your radiology specialty in the third year of medical school. It will take at least eight years, counting the four to five of your residency, to be a fully certified radiologist. You may have difficulty getting accepted into very prestigious schools with a felony conviction on your record, but any properly accredited medical school can provide the education and experience you need to practice medicine.
Contact a lawyer to find out what can be done about your felony at some point during your education. Occasionally, depending on the circumstances, your record can be sealed or cleared, or the conviction can be reduced.
Apply for radiologist positions. Do not list your conviction on the application or in your resume. Be prepared, however, to volunteer the information if the interview process is going well. Tell the interviewer, prior to any background check on you, about your conviction and explain how you have turned your life around and are no longer on a self-destructive path.
Tip
Check the requirements for employment at the hospitals where you want to work -- some may have a policy against hiring any kind of felon.
Warning
Don't ever lie about your past. The truth will come out during background checks and the lie will negatively impact your ability to get hired in the future -- hiring managers gossip, too.
