Diagnostic radiographer

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
• computerised 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
• prepare patients for a scan, such as an MRI
• 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 £27,055 (Band 5), rising up the pay scale to £36,483.
• As an experienced radiographer you can earn between £37,338 and £44,962 (Band 6).
• Typical salaries for senior and management roles are between £46,148 and £53,755 (Bands 7 to 8a). Consultants can earn in excess of this.

Those working in London and the surrounding areas may receive a high-cost area supplement of between 5% and 20% of their basic salary.  

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.

AfC pay bands differ across the four countries of the UK. Pay negotiation happens annually at different times, so salaries will change when each country agrees their new pay award. Check your country's AfC scales for the most up-to-date NHS salary information.  

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

You'll typically work a 37.5-hour week, over a seven day period, which may include shift work, weekends, nights and bank holidays, as well as on-call working.

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.

What to expect

• You can work in a range of hospital departments, including the operating theatre, accident and emergency, and outpatients, as well as on wards and in mobile units.
• Jobs are available in hospitals and private clinics throughout the UK. There are some opportunities for agency work.
• There is currently a shortage of diagnostic radiographers, with not enough radiographers joining or remaining in the profession.
• 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).

You'll typically need five GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade 4/C or above, including English, maths and science, and three A-levels (or equivalent) including physics, chemistry or biology/human biology.

If you've already got a degree in a science or healthcare-related subject, you can apply for an accelerated postgraduate diagnostic radiographer training programme. Courses usually last up to two years. Contact individual institutions for entry requirements.

Entry requirements vary between course providers, so check with the institution you are interested in applying to.

Both undergraduate and postgraduate training consists of a mix of study and clinical placement, approximately 50% of each.

It's also possible to do an HCPC-approved diagnostic radiographer integrated degree apprenticeship, combining paid work with part-time study, allowing you to train on the job. Search Find an apprenticeship or NHS Jobs 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.

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. You'll also receive an extra £1,000 as diagnostic radiography is a shortage specialism. 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

Find out more about a career in radiography.

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
• resourcefulness and the ability to remain calm under pressure
• organisation and decision-making skills
• analytical skills and the ability to interpret data
• the ability to work both as part of a healthcare team and independently
• confidence in using leading-edge technologies
• IT skills
• a flexible and adaptable approach to work with the ability to think on your feet
• a high level of emotional intelligence to manage the emotional and distressing situations you may encounter
• self-motivation and the drive to undertake continuing professional development throughout your career in order to keep up to date with changing technologies.

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 healthcare-related role, is also useful as this shows that you have communication skills, can work as part of a team and have insight into caring for people.

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 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
• NHSScotland Jobs
• Society of Radiographers Jobs

Specialist recruitment agencies also handle vacancies. These include:

• Jennie Reeves Radiographers Agency
• Pulse
• Rig Healthcare Recruit
• Your World Healthcare

Professional development

As a newly qualified diagnostic radiographer you'll have an initial induction, usually 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.

In order to remain registered with the HCPC, you must carry out continuing professional development (CPD). This ensures that you 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.

The Society of Radiographers provides CPD support for its members, including courses, seminars, conferences and events, as well as a range of networking opportunities.

In order to further develop your skills, you can study for a post-registration qualification in diagnostic radiography at PGCert, PGDip or MSc level. You can also do a PhD in an area of research that particularly interests you. Download the College of Radiographers-approved directory of post-registration courses.

It's also possible to undertake further training to become a sonographer, specialising in the use of ultrasound equipment.

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.

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. Find out more about the different levels of practice.

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.