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Radiographer
Hours
37 per week
Starting salary
£21,200 + per year
If you enjoy technology and science, and you can work quickly and accurately, this could be an ideal job for you. In this job you will use different kinds of radiation to help diagnose or treat patients who are ill or injured. To do this job you will be using highly technical equipment. You will need excellent communication and people skills. And you’ll need to have a caring approach to some patients who are very ill.
Before you can work in this job you will need a degree approved by the Health Professions Council.
WorkDesc
The work
There are two types of radiography – diagnostic and therapeutic.
As a diagnostic radiographer, your work would involve:
- producing and interpreting high quality images of the body to identify and diagnose injury and disease
- screening for abnormalities
- taking part in surgical procedures, such as biopsies (examining tissues to find the cause of disease).
As a therapeutic radiographer, your duties would include:
- planning and delivering treatment using x-rays and other radioactive sources
- working closely with medical specialists to plan and treat malignant tumours or tissue defects
- assessing and monitoring patients throughout treatment and follow up.
Both areas of radiography involve working as part of a team alongside radiologists, clinical oncologists, physicists, radiology nurses and other health care professionals.
HoursDesc
Hours
You will usually work around 37 hours a week, which may include shifts and unsocial hours (such as evenings, weekend and public holidays).
As a diagnostic radiographer, you would usually work in a hospital radiography department. You could also work in other places, like outpatient clinics, Accident and Emergency or operating theatres.
As a therapeutic radiographer, you would work in a specially equipped radiotherapy or oncology centre.
You would usually wear a uniform, and if you specialise in diagnostic radiography, you would sometimes wear protective clothing. This work can be physically and emotionally demanding.
IncomeDesc
Income
Newly qualified radiographers can earn between £21,200 and £27,500 a year. With experience, this can rise to about £34,200 a year.
Senior radiographers or team leaders can earn about £40,200 a year, and consultant radiographers can earn up to about £67,200 a year.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
To work as a radiographer you will need a degree approved by the Health Professions Council (HPC). Before you apply, you will need to decide whether you want to work in diagnostic radiography or therapeutic radiography. Visiting a radiography department or radiotherapy centre may help you decide. You will need to contact your local NHS Trust to arrange this.
To do a degree in diagnostic or therapeutic radiography you will usually need five GCSEs (A-C), plus three A levels, including a science. Check exact entry requirements with course providers as other qualifications, such as an Access to Higher Education course, may be accepted.
If you are a health professional or a graduate with a relevant first degree, you may be able to qualify in radiography by completing a pre-registration postgraduate diploma or Masters qualification. See the Health Professions Council website for details of all approved courses.
Most places on approved courses are funded by the NHS. Check the NHS Business Services Authority website for details.
Another route into radiography is to start as a radiography assistant and work your way up to assistant practitioner. At practitioner level, your employer may give you the opportunity to work and study part-time for a degree and professional qualification as a radiographer.
Once you are on a radiography degree, you will combine theoretical study with clinical placements in local hospitals and therapy/diagnostic units. Courses usually take three years full-time or the part-time equivalent.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
You are likely to be encouraged by your employer to do further part-time specialist postgraduate training in subjects such as:
- ultrasound
- computed tomography (CT scanning)
- magnetic resonance imaging
- research
- palliative care and counselling.
You could also go on to specialise as a sonographer or ultrasonographer. This involves qualifying in radiography and then completing a post-registration course. See the Society of Radiographers website for details.
Throughout your career you will be expected to keep up to date with developments in your field, and take part in a programme of continuing professional development (CPD) through the Society of Radiographers.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To become a radiographer, you will need to have:
- an interest and ability in science, especially biology, anatomy, physiology and physics
- accuracy and attention to detail
- the ability to think quickly and make decisions
- a willingness to keep up to date with new techniques and treatments
- the ability to use highly technical, computerised equipment
- excellent communication and 'people' skills
- empathy, and a caring approach to patients who are very ill
- physical fitness and emotional strength.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
NHS Careers 
PO Box 2311
Bristol
BS2 2ZX
Tel: 0345 60 60 655
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
Society and College of Radiographers
207 Providence Square
Mill Street
London
SE1 2EW
Tel: 020 7740 7200
www.sor.org
Health Learning and Skills Advice Line
Tel: 08000 150850
Health Professions Council
Park House
184 Kennington Park Road
London
SE11 4BU
Tel: 020 7582 0866
www.hpc-uk.org
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You will find most opportunities at NHS hospitals, clinics or radiotherapy centres. You could also work in community healthcare teams, private hospitals, the armed forces or sports clubs (for example, using ultrasound to assess injuries).
With experience, you could progress to sonography specialist, radiography team leader, or consultant practitioner. You could also take further training and qualifications to specialise in an area such as counselling and palliative care, the use of certain techniques or equipment, working with specific groups of patients, or research and teaching.
You may find the following useful for vacancies (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.
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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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