About the role
To many in the UK public, radiographers are often thought of as merely operators of X-ray machines. And whilst it’s true that many do indeed carry out significant X-ray scanning duties, the role of a radiographer is far more wide ranging. Besides the necessary technical abilities required, there are significant people skills necessary to calm and engage the patient prior to precisely positioning the diagnostic apparatus for that all important internal review of their illness or injury.
Radiography roles can be sub divided into two strands; diagnostic and therapeutic. Diagnostic radiographers scan for injuries, illnesses and diseases whereas therapeutic radiographers use radiation to help kill cancerous cells.
Employability
Radiographers play an important role in diagnosing and treating injuries, illness and disease, especially cancer so the quality and excellence of their work is vital towards positive outcomes. Like so many other professional healthcare roles, radiographers have their own skill set matrix.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, especially necessary when putting the patient at ease prior to scanning
- An interest in science, in particular biology, anatomy and physiology
- Confidence to work with highly expensive, cutting-edge technology
- Excellent attention to detail
- The ability to make decisions quickly and independently
- The ability to learn new skills and adapt as radiography is constantly changing
Career Entry
As with modern nursing careers, all aspirant radiographers must complete a 3 or 4 year university course – BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography or BSc (Hons) Radiotherapy degrees. Many universities operate an extended academic year to allow you to gain the necessary clinical experience in a number of radiology or radiotherapy departments. And whilst the split varies slightly from University to University, in general there is a 50/50 split between academic study and practical work and may mean that you may have reduced vacations compared to a non-vocational degree course.
Working directly with patients means that communicable diseases are an issue and before any clinical practice can commence you will be screened for HIV and Hepatitis B for example.
EMPLOYERS AND SALARIES
Of the 25,000 approximate radiographers currently working in the UK, probably 80% work in the NHS. Private hospitals will probably employ a few radiographers but much is outsourced, especially MRI, to the NHS. Other private sector radiography roles are found with NHS outsourced breast screen companies such as Alliance Medical who operate a large mobile fleet of screening facilities which augment hospital services on an ad hoc basis.
| Radiographer diagnostic and therapeutic | Band 5 | Starts at £21,176 |
| Radiographer specialist | Band 6 | Starts at £25,472 |
| Radiographer advanced | Band 7 | Starts at £30,460 |
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