Residency in Radiology

Campus: Astana, Kazakhstan, NU School of Medicine building, UMC hospitals

Language: English, Kazakh, Russian

Delivery mode: Full time

Duration: 5 years

Career: Residency graduates continue working as physicians specialized in Radiology (radiologists).

General information

The Radiology residency is a five-year program with the first three years of rotations through all radiological sub-specialities including pediatrics, emergency radiology, gastrointestinal, chest, musculoskeletal cardiovascular, breast imaging, ultrasound, positron emission tomography (PET), computerized tomography (CT) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the final two years of training, residents spend most of the time in general radiology (training in all different subspecialties) and in the last year they can take two six-week long electives to select their subspecialty areas of interest.

Program aims

The aims of the Residency program:

To train a specialist radiologist capable independently perform the role at the advanced level according to the six ACGME core competencies and who is able to apply the acquired knowledge, skills and abilities in all aspects of the care of patients.
To prepare the resident to direct interprofessional and multispecialty teams necessary for the care of patients.
Instill habits of professionalism and lifelong learning.

Career opportunities

Residency graduates continue working as physicians specialized in Radiology (radiologists). They often work in hospitals, outpatient centers, medical and diagnostic laboratories or specialty clinics, such as a cancer center. They usually work full time and may work evenings, weekends and holidays, depending on the hours of their facility. Some radiologists, besides practicing, teach medical students and residents serving as faculty members. Research can be also another type of work that radiologists engage along with professional practice as other medical specialists do. Within specialty, graduates may pursue areas of interest including interventional radiology, neuroradiology, breast imaging, pediatric imaging and more.

Program learning outcomes

The residents are trained to achieve the graduation target of the ACGME Milestones in all six domains of medical practice, namely: Patient care and procedural skills, Medical knowledge, Practice-based learning and improvement, Interpersonal and communication skills, Professionalism, Systems-based practice.

On successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

Evaluate patients, including recognition of medical and surgical emergencies and provide proper radiologic evaluation
Utilize radiology tools for the best care of patients following safe and accurate scanning protocols
Interpret images, guide clinicians in diagnostic challenge and work with rest of healthcare team in timely and efficient manner
Perform indicated radiology procedures in the best interest of patients
Be proficient in written and oral communication in bedside care, case presentations, the
medical records and manuscripts
Be proficient in use and application of the radiological literature, able to understand and
participate in medical education and research

Clinical rotation sites

How to apply

STEP 1. Create your personal account

Register on www.admissions.nu.edu.kz portal to create a Personal Account. Read the instructions about the application procedure given in your Personal account.

STEP 2. Complete your Application Form and attach the required documents

Fill out the application form and attach the required documents:

Scanned copy of a National ID card or passport;
Scanned copy of secondary school or higher education institution certificate (attestat/diploma) with final academic performance or certificate from the school (spravka) according to the sample in the personal account;
Motivation letter in English;
Valid copies of certificates. The results of standardized tests must be sent directly to the University through test administrators.

STEP 3. Pay an application fee

The application fee is paid online via your personal account with a bank card.

The application fee is 10 000 tenge and it is increased 3 times from the established amount when paid within the last two weeks before the first officially approved deadline and/or during the extension period for accepting applications for participation in the admission process. This amount is non-refundable.

Step 4. Finish the registration process

Finish the registration process by pressing the “Submit application” button. After submission applicants can’t change their applications.

Step 5. Upload IELTS/TOEFL certificates

Upload IELTS/TOEFL certificates in your personal account in the section "Upload IELTS/TOEFL" and fill up the required information about the certificate.

Further steps

Check your e-mail for notifications from the NU Admissions Department and your personal account to learn about your application status.

If you experience any difficulties with the registration or online application, please contact info_admissions@nu.edu.kz. Refer to your IIN and/or Applicant ID while sending us your requests.

Entry requirements

Applicants applying to the Program for unconditional admission are expected to have:

MD or an equivalent terminal medical degree (highest level medical qualification which provides the eligibility to obtain registration or certification to practice as an independent practitioner in the country), obtained in a recognized university according to the World Directory of Medical Schools. During the application period, final year students may submit official current transcripts for consideration. Applicants recommended for admission must provide final transcript and diploma before the end of the Program’s enrollment term. Graduates of the University are enrolled based on the evidence of the final transcript confirming the degree completion followed by diploma submission within a month;
An overall IELTS test score of 7.0 or higher (with no sub-score less than 6.0 in each section), or the equivalent TOEFL score as posted on the ETS website;
IFOM Basic Science Exam (BSE) or USMLE Step1 test report;
high level of motivation and a strong interest in the Program outlined in the personal statement;
2 (two) confidential letters of recommendation.

The relevance of the academic and experiential background and the equivalency and appropriateness of earlier degrees will be determined by the Admissions Committee.

Applicants to the Program, at the discretion of the Admissions Committee, can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test report if:

MD or equivalent terminal medical degree was earned in a country with English as the language of official communication, academic instruction and daily life;
MD or equivalent terminal medical degree was earned in a program which was officially taught in English;
the applicant is a graduate of Nazarbayev University.

The NUSOM Admissions Committee will consider candidates recommended for admission by University Medical Center (UMC) Residency Admission Committee but the ultimate decision to admit these candidates is made by the NUSOM Admissions Committee.

Applicants applying to the Program for conditional admission are expected to have:

MD or an equivalent terminal medical degree (highest level medical qualification which provides the eligibility to obtain registration or certification to practice as an independent practitioner in the country), obtained in a recognized university according to the World Directory of Medical Schools. During the application period, final year students may submit official current transcripts for consideration. Applicants recommended for admission must provide final transcript and diploma before the end of the Program’s enrollment term. Graduates of the University are enrolled based on the evidence of the final transcript confirming the degree completion followed by diploma submission within a month;
high level of motivation and a strong interest in the Program outlined in the personal statement;
2 (two) confidential letters of recommendation;
Recommendation letter from University Medical Center (UMC).

The following conditions will apply to applicants admitted under Conditional Admission first year of enrollment:

Provide IFOM Basic Science Exam (BSE) or USMLE Step1 test report;
An overall IELTS test score of 7.0 or higher (with no sub-scores less than 6.0 in each section), or the equivalent TOEFL score as posted on the ETS website.
The relevance of the academic and experiential background and the equivalency and appropriateness of earlier degrees will be determined by the Admissions Committee.
Applicants to the Program, at the discretion of the Admissions Committee, can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test report if:
MD or equivalent terminal medical degree was earned in a country with English as the language of official communication, academic instruction and daily life;
MD or equivalent terminal medical degree was earned in a program which was officially taught in English;
the applicant is a graduate of Nazarbayev University.

List of documents to be submitted by the applicants

Complete application form;
National ID or passport;
Official document confirming name change (if applicable);
MD or equivalent terminal medical diploma with transcript;
IELTS or TOEFL test report/certificate valid as of the date of online documents submission to the Programs (if applicable);
IFOM Basic Science Exam (BSE) or USMLE step 1 test report;
Two confidential letters of recommendation written within the last 12 months from academic or clinical referees preferably related to the specific residency program (to be provided by referees electronically or in hard copy) ;
Personal statement (up to 500 words);
075у medical certificate (for Kazakhstani candidates) or a similar medical certificate with indication of general health or other documents as requested by the University (for international candidates);
The document stating the presence or absence of a criminal record.

Important dates

Online application deadline for the residency program: February 12, 2024 - June 10, 2024.

Status assigned to the candidate

All registered candidates can check the status of their application in the Personal account. Description of the status below is presented in the order of assignment to the candidate in the Personal account.

Application in processing. This is interim status, which means that the application is being processed. Admissions Committee will evaluate the application and inform the candidate on further steps/stages. Notification on final results will be sent to your email address.

Does not meet entry requirements. The status is assigned to the candidates who do not meet the minimum entry requirements. It is given after checking the application forms and the documents by the Admissions Department.

Disqualified. The status is assigned to candidates who are disqualified for gross violations of the conditions of the competition. For example, provided deliberately false information.

Rejected by Admissions Committee. At one of the competition stages, the Admissions Committee decided to reject the candidate’s application.

Transfer to another program. At the stage of an application screening the Admissions Committee has decided to recommend the candidate for consideration by the Admissions Committee of another program within the same School.

Pending. Candidate’s application is pending.

Waiting list. The Admissions Committee has finished reviewing the candidate’s application and made a decision to put you on a waiting list. Such candidates should expect notification from the University, as there is a possibility that if other candidates reject to study, they may be sent an invitation letter to study.

Recommended for admission to Zero Year of Graduate programs. The Admissions Committee has decided to recommend the candidate for the Zero Year of Graduate program. “Zero Year of Graduate programs” is a two-semester full-time program for candidates, who do not meet the language requirements for direct admission to Master’s programs, with intensive language, academic and research preparation for Master’s programs.

Recommended for admission to program. Admissions Committee has decided to recommend candidate for the program without going through the Zero Year of Graduate programs.

Recommended for conditional admission. The Admissions Committee has decided to recommend a candidate for the conditional admission with a requirement to fulfill the condition by the deadline specified in the notification.

Withdrawn. Candidate decided to withdraw from the competition.

Accepted Program admission offer. The status is assigned to candidates who received offer letter, signed Enrollment confirmation form and fulfilled all the сonditions of the University indicated in the offer letter.

Accepted Zero Year of Graduate programs admission offer. The status is assigned to candidates who received offer letter to Zero Year of Graduate program, signed Enrollment confirmation form and fulfilled all the сonditions of the University indicated in the offer letter.

Refused admission offer. The candidate was recommended for admission, but refused to study.

Refused in favor of another NU program. The status is applicable for those candidates, who applied for several graduate programs at NU. The status is assigned when the candidate chooses another program.

Deferred. The status is assigned to candidates who were accepted for the program, but decided to postpone their studies until the next year.

Did not submit the documents/Refused. The status assigned to candidates who did not provide originals of the documents by the stated deadline, which means that the candidate refuses to study at University.

Did not come to Orientation week/Refused. The status is assigned to candidates who accepted the offer letter, provided hard copies of documents, but did not participate in Orientation week. The vacant place, if available, can be offered to the candidates in the Waiting list.

Enrolled to program. The status is assigned to candidates who enrolled to the main program by the Decision of the Provost. Candidate officially became a student.

Enrolled to Zero Year of Graduate programs. The status is assigned to candidates who enrolled to the Zero Year of Graduate program by the Decision of the Provost. Candidate officially became a student.

Curriculum

The Radiology residency is designed to comprehensively cover the curriculum of training over five years and takes into account the requirements of ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education) and the European system of residency education.

The PGY-1 is a transitional year that includes internships in Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Gynecology and Obstetrics. Duration of each is about 4-8 weeks.

These clinical rotations will advance into more radiology-specific courses, such as Radiation Protection, Principles of Imaging Technology and Informatics, as well as courses on Communication and Management, Evidence-based Medicine.

The PGY-2 through PGY-5 consist of a variety of subspecialty rotations in radiology: Thoracic, Abdominal, Cardiovascular, Breast imaging, Musculoskeletal, Emergency radiology, Pediatric imaging, Urogenital, Head and Neck radiology, Neuroradiology, Interventional, Oncologic imaging, radiology of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nuclear medicine. Residents in the last year of training have two electives where they can focus on the subspecialty of interest.

Among the rotations, PGY-2 and PGY-4 separate a few weeks dedicated to scholarly activity of residents.

What do our residents say

Nurmakhan Zholshybek

PGY-2 resident

NU SOM's Residency Program in Radiology integrates elements of both American and European radiology training systems. A key distinguishing feature of the program is its focus on organ systems rather than diagnostic modalities. Clinical training occurs at the capital's leading medical research centers, with the core rotations taking place at the University Medical Center's Heart Center, Diagnostic Center, and Mother and Child Center. These clinics attract some of the most challenging and interesting cases, allowing residents to diagnose and become familiar with rare pathologies.
Dina Abetova

PGY-2 resident

As I finished the 1st year of residency in Radiology, I could point out several things. Firstly, since the first year included the internship curriculum helped to deepen the clinical thinking, during some rotations like Emergency, Neurology, Pulmonology and General Surgery we could also develop our imaging interpretation skills by looking up particular cases and trying to link it to the clinical part. Secondly, it helped to understand what a certain specialist is most interested in regards to imaging. Some rotations like Endocrinology were of particular interest since we could see some rare cases and being outpatient care it did not require so much paperwork as in outpatient.
Yerden Shegenov

PGY-3 resident

The Radiology Residency Program is a comprehensive five-year curriculum, including a transition year and diverse subspecialty rotations in Radiology. Key aspects of the program encompass supervision of radiology reports, daily evening meetings, case reports, journal clubs, and an overview of up-to-date literature. Residents also engage in local and international events and maintain membership in professional radiological societies.
Ruslan Nassyrov

PGY-2 resident

Having just completed the first year of the Radiology Residency program, I have found the experience to be a combination of valuable learning and certain challenges. The first year, which resembles the medical intern year of NU SOM's Doctor of Medicine program, provided varying levels of value depending on the rotation site. Given that the program follows the American system, I believe that refining these rotations could enhance the clinical foundation and better support specialized training in radiology. Despite these areas for improvement, I am enthusiastic about the upcoming specialized training and appreciate the professional growth opportunities the program provides.

Faculty

Dinara Jumadilova, MD, MPH

Program Director of the Residency in Radiology, Instructor
dinara.jumadilova@nu.edu.kz
Tairkhan Dautov, MD, PhD, DMSc

Program Co-Director of the Residency in Radiology, Head of UMC Clinical and Academic Department for Radiology
Botakoz Sadyrbekova, MD, MSc

Chief of Ultrasound diagnostics of UMC
Bauyrzhan Kaliev, MD

Chief of Inpatient radiology of UMC
Viktor Zemlyanskii, MD, MSc, PhD

Chief of Interventional radiology of UMC
Bakyt Duisenbayeva, MD, PhD

Chief of Diagnostic radiology of UMC

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