Diagnostic radiographers use a range of imaging technology and methods to look inside a patient’s body and find out what’s causing their illness
As a diagnostic radiographer, you’ll work in a range of hospital departments, acquiring images to help with the diagnosis of illnesses and injuries.
You’ll work with the latest imaging methods such as:
- angiography
- computed tomography (CT)
- fluoroscopy
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
- ultrasound
- x-ray.
With experience, you may also contribute towards interpreting images, establishing treatment plans and helping with intervention procedures, for example the removal of kidney stones.
Responsibilities
As a diagnostic radiographer, you’ll typically need to:
- assess patients and their clinical requirements to work out which radiographic techniques to use
- perform a range of radiographic examinations on patients to produce high-quality images
- take responsibility for radiation safety in your work area, including checking equipment for malfunctions and errors
- manage referrals to ensure patients receive a radiation dose as low as reasonably possible
- supervise visiting staff and patients in radiation work areas
- help in more complex radiological examinations, working with doctors such as radiologists and surgeons
- provide support and reassurance to patients, taking into account their physical and psychological needs
- supervise radiography and imaging support assistants
- keep up to date with health and safety guidelines, including ionising radiation regulations, to protect yourself and others.
With experience, you may have the opportunity to get involved in management, teaching and research.
Salary
- Jobs in the NHS are usually covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay rates consisting of nine pay bands. As a newly qualified radiographer your starting salary is likely to be £24,907 (Band 5), rising up the pay scale to £30,615.
- As an experienced radiographer you can earn between £31,365 and £37,890 (Band 6).
- Typical salaries for advanced practice and management roles are between £38,890 and £51,668 (Bands 7 to 8a). Consultants can earn in excess of this.
Additional cost of living payments may be available to those working in London and the South of England. Non-NHS pay rates are usually competitively set and are often negotiated on an individual basis. On-call allowances and overtime payments are paid in addition to the basic salary.
Income figures are intended as a guide only.
Working hours
You’ll typically work a standard 37.5-hour week, which may include evenings, nights and weekends.
Part-time work and job sharing are possible, depending on departmental needs. Career breaks are possible but you must keep up with technical developments during your time out and may need to take further training or study before returning.
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What to expect
- You can work in a range of hospital departments, including the operating theatre, accident and emergency, outpatients and on wards, as well as in mobile units.
- Jobs are available in hospitals and private clinics throughout the UK.
- Self-employment or freelance work is uncommon. There are some opportunities for agency work.
- The job can be physically and mentally demanding, and can involve moving and lifting both patients and equipment, as well as a lot of standing.
- Travel isn’t a feature of the role, although you may occasionally travel to conferences or training events.
Qualifications
To practise as a diagnostic radiographer you must be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). In order to register, you must successfully complete an HCPC-approved radiography training programme at either undergraduate or postgraduate level. See HCPC – Approved programmes.
Undergraduate degrees take three years full time (four years in Scotland) or up to six years part time to complete. Applications are made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
If you’ve already got a degree in a science or health-related subject, you can apply for an accelerated postgraduate diagnostic training programme. Courses usually last up to two years. Contact individual institutions for entry requirements.
Both undergraduate and postgraduate training consists of a mix of study and clinical placement, approximately 50% of each. Subjects covered include:
- anatomy
- ethics
- management
- physics
- physiology
- the practice and science of imaging
- sociology.
It’s also possible to do an HCPC-approved diagnostic radiographer integrated degree apprenticeship, combining paid work with part-time study. Search the Find an apprenticeship or NHS Jobs websites for opportunities.
All students in England and Wales are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. For Scotland, see the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.
UK-approved courses lead to professional qualification, eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC and membership of the Society of Radiographers.
You could also enter the career as a radiography assistant and work your way up to assistant practitioner. It may then be possible, with the support of your employer, to work and study part time to become a qualified radiographer.
All pre-registration undergraduate and postgraduate diagnostic radiography students on an eligible course in England can receive non-repayable funding support of at least £5,000 per year towards their studies. For full details, see the NHS Learning Support Fund.
Details of financial support for students studying in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are available from:
- Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
- Student Awards Services (Wales)
- Northern Ireland Direct government services
Skills
You’ll need to have:
- excellent interpersonal and communication skills in order to explain procedures to patients
- a supportive and caring disposition
- good observation skills and attention to detail
- self-motivation and the ability to work under pressure
- organisation and decision-making skills
- the ability to work both as part of a healthcare team and independently
- confidence in using leading-edge technologies
- IT skills
- a high level of emotional intelligence to manage the emotional and distressing situations you may encounter.
Work experience
To be accepted on to a training programme, many universities will expect you to have visited an imaging or radiography department. Contact the imaging service manager at your local hospital and ask if you can spend time work shadowing a qualified diagnostic radiographer.
Previous work with the public, particularly in a health-related role, is also useful.
Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.
Employers
The majority of diagnostic radiographers in the UK are employed by the NHS, although there are also opportunities in private hospitals and clinics.
You’ll work mainly in the radiology and imaging departments of hospitals, but you may also work in the emergency department, intensive care, neonatal unit and operating theatres providing mobile imaging. It’s also possible to work in GP surgeries and clinics.
You may also work in research establishments, or within education, conducting research and training radiographers. Further opportunities also exist in veterinary practice, customs and excise, prisons and the armed forces.
You could also work as an application specialist for an equipment manufacturer, providing training and support for staff when new equipment is introduced in hospital departments, or as a sales representative.
There is scope to work overseas in hospitals, clinics and education or research establishments in countries such as Australia and Canada.
Look for job vacancies at:
- NHS Jobs and the websites of individual NHS trusts
- NHS Scotland Recruitment
- Society of Radiographers Jobs
Specialist recruitment agencies also handle vacancies:
Professional development
As a newly qualified diagnostic radiographer you’ll have an initial induction followed by a period of preceptorship. During this time you’ll get to know the policies and procedures of the workplace and have the opportunity to reflect on your practice under the clinical supervision of a senior colleague.
Once you’ve successfully completed preceptorship you must continue to keep up to date with the latest developments in treatment and care and associated technological advancements. You’ll continue to have regular clinical supervision throughout your career.
In order to remain registered with the HCPC, you must carry out continuing professional development (CPD). The Society of Radiographers provides CPD support for its members, including courses, seminars, conferences and events, as well as a range of networking opportunities.
You can also take a post-registration postgraduate qualification in diagnostic radiography, such as the Masters in advanced practice radiotherapy, or a PhD. Search postgraduate courses in diagnostic radiography.
Management qualifications are also useful when looking to move into a management role.
Career prospects
Career prospects for diagnostic radiographers are generally good and you can work your way through the NHS grading structure in both clinical and management roles.
With experience it’s possible to specialise in a particular area of diagnostic radiography, such as:
- breast screening/mammography
- computerised tomography (CT) scanning or sonography
- interventional radiography
- magnetic resonance imaging MRI
- medical ultrasound
- nuclear medicine
- trauma/accident and emergency.
Alternatively, you could choose to specialise with a particular group of patients, such as children, stroke patients or the terminally ill.
CONCLUSION
As your career progresses, you may become an advanced practitioner and take on a higher level of clinical responsibility and management of patients. A small number of diagnostic radiographers go on to work at consultant level, where you’ll contribute to the strategic development of services.
Imaging service managers are professional qualified managers and are responsible for the strategic delivery and planning, along with the day-to-day operational management, of radiotherapy services.
There are also opportunities to move into research or into teaching future diagnostic radiographers.
You can also work in management posts in the NHS, within education or in agencies or charities, looking at issues such as quality assurance or patient care, information and support services.
