Integrated IR

R1 (PGY-2) year
Residents are introduced to all radiologic sub-specialties (except mammography) during the first year. Rotations are comprised of four week blocks. In the first year, these blocks typically include: abdominal imaging, musculoskeletal imaging, sonography, thoracic imaging, neuroradiology, interventional radiology, pediatric radiology (performed at Children’s of Alabama adjacent to UAB Hospital), nuclear medicine, and rotations at the Birmingham VA (adjacent to UAB Hospital).
Call responsibilities: The first year residents take introductory call alongside a more senior resident or a member of the faculty starting in January of their first year. First year residents do not give independent preliminary reports. Independent call duty starts in the thirteenth month of training, except in interventional radiology where PGY-2 residents may take call with an attending physician.
R2 (PGY-3) year
Residents begin to assume more responsibility in the second year. Rotations typically include: thoracic imaging, interventional radiology, abdominal imaging, sonography, nuclear medicine, neuroradiology, Emergency Department, Birmingham VA, mammography, and pediatrics.
R3 (PGY-4) year
Third year block rotations typically include: Birmingham VA, thoracic imaging, musculoskeletal imaging, pediatric radiology, nuclear medicine, neuroradiology, mammography, obstetric ultrasound, abdominal imaging, and a cross-sectional procedures rotation. Residents take their ABR core exam at the end of their PGY-4 year.
R4 (PGY-5) year
The fourth year is the beginning of your IR focused education. The majority of your year is spent doing interventional radiology. You will rotate through the main hospital, clinic, VA hospital and Children’s. You will also spend a month learning critical care medicine and rotate with vascular surgery. Two required DR months, mammography and nuclear medicine, and an elective month are included in the R4 year.
Call responsibilities:  R4 residents will cover IR call and abbreviated diagnostic call.
R5 (PGY-6) year
This is your final year of training. The entire year is spent honing your IR skills. In addition to scheduled rotations, you have two elective months.
Call responsibilities:  R5 residents do IR call only.

Independent IR

R5 (PGY-6) year
The majority of your R5 year is spent doing interventional radiology. You will rotate through the main hospital, clinic, VA hospital and Children’s. You will also spend a month learning critical care medicine and rotate with vascular surgery. An elective month is included in the R5 year.
R6 (PGY-7) year
The R6 year is your final year of training. The entire year is spent honing your IR skills. In addition to scheduled rotations, you have two elective months.
Call responsibilities:  Independent IR residents do IR call only.
Resident Call at UAB Interventional Radiology: 
Second, third and fourth year residents cover the emergency department, inpatient exams, and provide general radiologic consultations during call. Call duties include CT, MRI, ultrasound and radionuclide studies. Upper level residents provide guidance and consultation for the junior radiology resident. Three residents are in-house from 5pm-12am and then two residents remain in-house 12am-7:30pm. Night float occurs in 1 week blocks from 9pm-7:30am. Other call shifts include “short” call from 5pm-9:30pm and “evening swing” from 5pm-12am. Weekend calls are split into 12 hour shifts. Faculty radiologists are present in-house 24 hours a day.

Residents on IR call carry the call pager, triage patients, do inpatient consults and handle admissions and discharges. Outside of call, every weekend and holiday is YOURS.