Overview: Interventional Radiology Training Pathways

Integrated Interventional Radiology Residency
UAB’s Integrated Interventional Radiology Residency was approved in 2016. The IR section has worked closely with the diagnostic radiology program to create a residency which offers superb training in diagnostic radiology as well as the clinical and procedural aspects of interventional radiology. We are currently matching 2 Integrated IR residents per year.

The five-year IR curriculum consists of 3 years focused on diagnostic imaging and 2 years focused on IR. IR residents will primarily take diagnostic radiology call during the first four years and will take IR call only in the final year. The IR section provides training across the broad domain of vascular and non-vascular procedures, including pediatrics. Clinical care is at the heart of our IR practice. The UAB IR section admits patients, performs inpatient and outpatient consults, and maintains a robust outpatient clinic.

Independent Interventional Radiology Residency
UAB’s Independent Radiology Residency was approved in 2017. The independent IR residency is two years in length (total of seven years of postgraduate training). This training format is only available to graduates of a diagnostic radiology residency.  The nationwide launch date for the new independent IR residency was July 1, 2020. 

Independent IR residents at UAB will gain extensive experience in clinical and procedural IR. We are currently approved to have up to four Independent IR positions at any one time. 

Early Specialization in Interventional Radiology (ESIR)
ESIR positions are available only to UAB Diagnostic Radiology residents. We recruit for ESIR residents in the R2 year through an internal process. Once accepted, ESIR residents need to apply for an Independent Radiology position through the December Cycle Specialty Match during their R3 year. Residents who have successfully completed an ESIR year will be able to match into the second year of an approved Independent IR residency and thereby shorten their training by one year.