Diagnostic Radiographers use a range of imaging technology including using X-rays, ultrasound, CT scanners, MRS scanners and fluoroscopy to work out which disease or condition is causing a service users illness.
Radiographers can also use nuclear medicine which uses radioactive isotopes to diagnose and treat patients and can also operate mammography technology which is low energy X-rays used to take images of patient’s breasts for diagnosis purposes.
Working Life
Working as an Diagnostic Radiographer will mean that you’ll take part in a variety of different tasks during your working day. These can include:
- Working with members of the multidisciplinary team and wider healthcare team
- Operate a variety of imaging machines
- Interpret images produced to diagnose disease and injury
- Assist in surgeries where required
- Trauma
Diagnostic Radiographers work in a variety of settings including:
- Acute hospitals
- Private Practice
- Mobile imaging units
Diagnostic Radiographers usually work with service users on a one to one basis to ensure images and recordings are of the necessary quality to diagnose their illness or injury. Diagnostic Radiographers also work alongside other Allied Health Professionals, medical staff and healthcare staff to support the service user through their patient journey.
Requirements
Becoming a Diagnostic Radiographer requires an undergraduate or Masters degree in Diagnostic Radiography which allows full registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Entry requirements for an undergraduate Diagnostic Radiography programme are typically:
- Five GCSEs (grades A to C or 9 to 4), including English language, maths and science
- Two of three A levels, including physics, chemistry, or biology/human biology
Or equivalent qualifications:
- A BTEC, HND or HNC which includes science
- A relevant T level (health or healthcare science may be accepted)
- A relevant NVQ
- A science-based access course
- Equivalent Scottish or Irish qualifications
Each university sets its own entry requirements, so it’s important to check with them directly which qualifications they will accept. In most cases, the results of an interview and other selection processes are also considered as well as your academic qualifications.
It’s also a good idea to spend some time with a diagnostic radiography team to get some firsthand experience of what the role’s really like.
Working as a Diagnostic Radiographer will also provide further opportunities to develop your career through apprenticeships and internal training in the future.
Degree Apprenticeship Route
For those interested in becoming a Diagnostic Radiographer, there is a degree apprenticeship programme for Diagnostic Radiography.
To access the degree apprenticeship route, you would need to either apply for an apprentice post at a healthcare employer willing to support the programme or work as a therapy assistant in Diagnostic Radiography first before accessing the programme as an internal candidate.
Personal Characteristics
To work successfully as a Diagnostic Radiographer, you need to consider your own personal characteristics. You would need to have the following attributes or similar:
- Be accurate and methodical and have good attention to detail
- Be able to work as part of a team but also be able to use your own initiative
- Be willing to follow procedures and take instruction from senior team members
- Be able to work with all people from various backgrounds with different experiences
- Be interested in new technologies
- Be safety conscious
Skills Required
To work successfully as a Diagnostic Radiographer, you need to consider the skills that you have. You would need to demonstrate the following:
- Be well organised and able to plan your time
- Be able to communicate with a variety of people using different methods
- Be able to interpret data
- Be comfortable discussing treatment plans with service users where required
Training and Development Opportunities
Once qualified and registered as an Allied Health Professional Diagnostic Radiographer, you can continue to develop your career over time. You’ll have access to a yearly continuing professional development (CPD) check-in where you can discuss any additional training needs or qualifications you would like to achieve.
You will also be encouraged to also join The Society of Radiographers who offer further development opportunities, email updates and networking opportunities so that you are able to continue to learn from others who work in the same role as you.
Once you have experience in Diagnostic Radiography, you can specialise in a number of different areas. You could work with a particular type of imaging, work with children, stroke patients or cancer patients or use your skills to teach or complete research.
Pay and Benefits
Diagnostic Radiographers in the NHS usually work 37.5 hours per week and depending on the setting and the service users you are working with, you could be required to work evenings and weekends too.
Diagnostic Radiographers are paid using the Agenda for Change (AfC) system and will typically start their career on AfC band 5 but with experience, further training and additional qualifications, can progress further up the pay scale.Other benefits of working as a Diagnostic Radiographer include access to a pension scheme, health service discounts such as a Blue Light Card and 27 days of annual leave in addition to bank holidays.