Diagnostic radiographers help diagnose illnesses or injuries by capturing images of the inside of the body using imaging technology.

The Work

You could be:

• using complex equipment and techniques such as x-rays, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, angiography and mammography to get images which identify damage or disease
• assessing patient to determine appropriate radiographic technique
• putting dyes into a patient’s body to highlight soft parts
• talking to a patient to explain what is happening and to encourage or calm them
• examining the images and providing evaluations of results
• checking equipment on a regular basis and reporting any faults
• providing an update of images to colleagues.

Pay

Within the NHS Agenda for Change scales radiographers' salaries are on Band 5, £31,892 to £39,735 a year. With experience this can rise to Band 6, £39,912 to £48,635 a year. Advanced radiographers salaries are on Band 7, £48,788 to £56,747 a year. The current pay scales are from April 2024.

Conditions

• Work would be mainly in a specialist department in a hospital.
• You may work with mobile equipment, in other parts of a hospital or in the community.
• You may have to work evenings or weekends in Accident and Emergency.
• You would wear a uniform.
• For some work, you would wear clothing which protects you against radiation and you would carry equipment to measure radiation.
• It can be a physically demanding job, with moving and lifting patients and equipment.

Useful Subjects

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Human Biology
• Physics
• Social Services and Healthcare (SCQF Level 6) (FA) (FA)

Getting In

• You need a degree (SCQF Level 10) in diagnostic radiography or imaging.
• There are 3 universities offering this degree in Scotland, Glasgow Caledonian, Queen Margaret and Robert Gordon.
• Entry requirements are usually 4 good Highers including English and science subjects. Some courses ask for Physics and Maths at National 5. Check with individual institutions.
• If you already have a degree in any other subject you can apply for the 2-year postgraduate in Diagnostic Radiotherapy (Pre-Registration) (SCQF Level 11) at Queen Margaret University.
• You should try and visit a radiotherapy department before applying for a course. This gives you a valuable insight into the job.
• You will require a satisfactory criminal record check from Disclosure Scotland to show that you are suitable for this type of work. Contact Disclosure Scotland for details on the type you would need.
• When you complete your course you apply to gain UK state registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You need this to work in the National Health Service (NHS).

The majority of radiographers work in the NHS, but also work in private clinics, in industry or in the armed forces.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2024

3348

1.8 %

RISE

2029

3407

  United Kingdom

2024

37603

4.4 %

RISE

2029

39241

LMI data powered by Lightcast

What Does it Take?

You should be:

• confident in operating complex equipment and aware of safety procedures
• able to get on well with people from all backgrounds and of all ages
• caring, supportive and able to calm patients
• able to explain procedures clearly
• interested in biology, anatomy and physiology
• accurate and precise
• able to deal with difficult patients in Accident and Emergency
• willing to accept responsibility and make decisions
• adaptable to learning new skills.

Training

• Once you have gained state registration, training is on the job.
• You would be expected to keep up to date with new technologies by completing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• You can join the Society of Radiographers (SoR) as a student. They provide courses, conferences and seminars where you can swap ideas with colleagues and update skills.

Getting On

• You could do a post-registration course approved by the Consortium for the Accreditation of Sonographic Education (CASE) to become a specialist in ultrasound. Other specialist areas include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) or specialist screening procedures.
• Some diagnostic radiographers work with specific groups of patients such as breast screening, children, stroke patients or cancer patients.
• You might move into a senior post or into management.
• You might work in research or teaching.

Video

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.