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Medical illustrator
Hours
37.5 per week
Starting salary
£20,700 + per year
WorkDesc
The work
Medical illustrators, also known as clinical photographers, produce photographs, videos and other graphical images for use in the healthcare sector. They also use their graphic design, editing and artistic skills to produce materials for medical lectures and conferences.
As a medical illustrator, your key duties would usually involve:
- clinical photography – using a digital camera or video to record a patient's condition
- taking photographs for use in monitoring the effectiveness of operations and treatments over a period of time
- using specialist equipment and techniques to capture 3-D images of structures like the eye, and to record specific procedures.
You might also produce artwork for educational posters, leaflets, publicity and corporate materials, annual reports, staff newspapers and organisations' websites.
With some employers, your work would include:
- forensic photography (photographing non-accidental injuries)
- bereavement photography for grieving parents
- copying evidence from slides and x-rays
- using software to produce presentations
- creating overhead transparencies and other audio-visual materials for teaching and research purposes.
You would work closely with both healthcare professionals and patients in a range of settings around hospitals and university medical departments.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would typically work 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday, with the possibility of on-call duties and occasional overtime. Job-sharing and part-time hours may also be possible.
You could be based in a clinic, hospital ward, studio or operating theatre. You may occasionally be faced with unpleasant or upsetting situations.
Some NHS Trusts have a number of sites, so you may travel between buildings during the course of your working day.
IncomeDesc
Income
- Medical illustrators can earn between £20,700 and £26,800 a year
- With experience this can rise to around £33,000 to £39,000.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
To apply for a trainee post, you will usually need at least a relevant foundation degree or BTEC HND, plus a portfolio of images. Increasingly, you will need a degree in a subject such as clinical photography, medical illustration or photography. Check with course providers for details of entry requirements.
You will improve your job prospects if you also have relevant work experience. Some courses include work placements or you could contact your local university or NHS Trust's medical photography department to arrange a visit or some work shadowing.
State Registration
This area is moving towards state registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC). To get on to the HPC register, it is anticipated that you will need a degree (or postgraduate award) in clinical photography or medical illustration.
To prepare for HPC registration, CAMIP (Committee for the Accreditation of Medical Illustration Practitioners) has set up a voluntary register and membership is expected to guarantee acceptance on to the HPC register when this opens.
To join the CAMIP voluntary register, you need one of the following:
- a BSc (Hons) degree in Medical Illustration or Clinical Photography
- membership of the IMI (Institute of Medical Illustrators) or BIPP (British Institute of Professional Photography)
- lapsed membership of CAMIP
- experience of working in clinical photography, plus a qualification from the IMI, BIPP or Medical Artists' Association (MAA)
- experience of working in clinical photography, plus a qualification in general photography.
See the CAMIP, IMI and BIPP websites for details.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
You will usually receive on-the-job training from your employer. You may also be encouraged to join the CAMIP voluntary register and study (on a part-time or distance learning basis) for a qualification such as:
- (if not already held) a BSc in Clinical Photography
- a postgraduate or MSc in Clinical Photography
- a postgraduate-level qualification in medical illustration, forensic art, or graphic design for healthcare.
See the IMI website for details of courses, membership and continuing professional development opportunities.
If you are interested in using traditional artistic media you can follow the Postgraduate Training in Medical Art programme delivered by the Medical Artists' Education Trust (MAET).
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
- an interest in photography and other media
- artistic skills and ability
- an understanding of biology, anatomy and physiology
- some knowledge of diseases and their treatment
- self-motivation
- the ability to work as part of a team
- empathy and a sensitive attitude for working with vulnerable patients
- experience of graphic design and desktop publishing software
- good written and spoken communication skills
- the ability to prioritise your work and meet deadlines
- a responsible attitude to your work
- reasonable levels of physical fitness to carry heavy photographic equipment.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Medical Artists' Association 
www.maa.org.uk
Medical Artists' Education Trust (MAET)
www.maet.org.uk
NHS Careers
PO Box 2311
Bristol
BS2 2ZX
Tel: 0345 60 60 655
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
Institute of Medical Illustrators
29 Arboretum Street
Nottingham
NG1 4JA
www.imi.org.uk
British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP)
1 Prebendal Court
Oxford Road
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP19 8EY
Tel: 01296 718530
www.bipp.com
Committee for the Accreditation of Medical Illustration Practitioners (CAMIP)
www.camip.org.uk
Health Learning and Skills Advice Line
Tel: 08000 150850
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You will find most jobs with NHS Trusts and university medical schools. You may also find work within research establishments, pharmaceutical companies, in the private medical sector and as a freelance illustrator.
To gain promotion or experience of specialist areas, you may need to relocate. Senior posts will usually include some managerial responsibilities.
If you specialise as a medical artist, you are likely to find most opportunities as a self-employed artist carrying out work commissioned by medical book publishers and model-makers.
Jobs may be advertised in the local press and Jobcentre Plus. You may also find the following useful for vacancies and general reading: (links open in new window)
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
LMIData
Related industry information
Industry summary
The health sector is represented by Skills for Health Sector Skills Council, which comprises three sub‐sectors:
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Independent Healthcare Sector (such as private and charitable healthcare providers)
- Third Sector (healthcare) (such as small local community and voluntary groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts, social enterprises and co‐operatives)
The health sector is made up of hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, the ambulance service, nursing homes, residential care homes, complementary medicine and a huge range of other health related activities, from sight tests in opticians to research in medical laboratories. Most people in the health sector work in the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), which includes:
- primary care (organisations which the public goes to first) – Doctors/General Practitioners (GPs), NHS Walk in Centres, NHS Direct, Out of Hours Emergency Care
- secondary care (organisations which the public are referred onto) – Ambulance Trusts, NHS Trusts/hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts/hospitals, Mental Health Trusts, Care Trusts (provide joint health and social care activities)
NHS policy in England is directed from the centre by the Department of Health. Local organisations, known as Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), are in charge of providing and commissioning services, controlling the majority of the budget. PCTs are overseen by 10 regional organisations called Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).
The independent sector includes companies and charities that offer hospital and specialist services usually after referral from a doctor. Operations and other work are carried out in private hospitals, independent treatment centres, mental health units and hospices.
Key facts:
- The health sector is the largest employer in the UK, representing 5.5% of the working age population of the UK and 7.3% of the working age population that are currently in employment.
- It is estimated that the sector employs over 2 million people, including:
- over 1.5 million people in the NHS (72%)
- over 0.5 million people in the Independent Healthcare sector (26%)
- almost 40,000 in the voluntary sector (2%)
- 56% of the workforce has a higher education qualification (or equivalent).
- The age profile for the sector shows an older than average workforce, which is due in part to the fact that it takes some professions a long time to train and can mean that people enter the sector later.
There is a varied list of jobs in the sector ranging from a diverse number of clinical roles, to support and infrastructure staff, for instance: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs); Ambulance Staff; Dental Staff; Doctors/Medical staff; Nursing staff; Midwifery Staff; Healthcare Scientists; Health Informatics Staff; Management; Wider Healthcare Team; Complementary Therapists.
National and regional data
High proportions of the health sector workforce are located in:
- London
- South East
- North West
East Midlands - The health sector employs 131,515 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East Midlands employs 8% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 29% of all employment across the sector or 41,200 employees.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
East of England - The health sector employs 164,720 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East of England employs 9.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 52,300 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 14% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 103,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
London - The health sector employs over 249,524 people, which accounts for 6% of all the employment in the region.
- London employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 33% of all employment across the sector or 78,500 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 146,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North East - The health sector employs 89,201 people, which accounts for 8.7% of all employment in the region.
- The North East employs 5.3 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 23,800 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be almost 46,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North West - The health sector employs 251,960 people, which accounts for 8% of all employment in the region.
- The North West employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South East - The health sector employs 264,071 people, which accounts for 7.1% of all employment in the region.
- The South East employs 15.7% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 164,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South West - The health sector employs 182,187 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- The South West employs 10.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 60,700 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 105,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
West Midlands - The health sector employs 168,746 people, which accounts for 7.2% of all employment in the region.
- The West Midlands employs 10% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 43,000 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 9% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 108,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Yorkshire and the Humber - The health sector employs 182,848 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- Yorkshire and the Humber employ 10.9 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 24% of the total health care workforce or 42,000 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 97,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Northern Ireland - The health sector employs 61,300 people.
- Northern Ireland employs 3% of the total health sector workforce.
- 81% of the workforce is female.
- 26% of the workforce is aged 35‐44 years.
- 96% of the workforce is white.
- 10% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 48% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Scotland - The health sector employs 201,500 people.
- Scotland employs 10% of the total health sector workforce.
- 78% of the workforce is female.
- 30% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 95% of the workforce is white.
- 14% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 39% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Wales - The health sector employs 114,900 people.
- Wales employs 6% of the total health sector workforce.
- 74% of the workforce is female.
- 34% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 94% of the workforce is white.
- 18% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 40% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 27% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008‐2009, Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007]
Career paths
Further sources
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