Radiography support workers assist both diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers in treating patients. Diagnostic radiographers use imaging technologies to diagnose a condition or disease. Therapeutic radiographers use radiation to treat cancer and tumours.

The Work

You could be:

• helping reassure patients undergoing treatment
• processing the digital images taken
• preparing patients for their treatment including transporting patients between other wards and departments
• helping patients get into the correct position
• updating patient records and booking appointments
• cleaning treatment room and equipment between patients.

Pay

Under NHS Agenda for Change, radiotherapy support workers start on Band 2, £24,647 to £26,763 a year. With promotion your salary would rise to Band 3, £26,869 to £28,998 a year. The current pay scales are from April 2024.

Conditions

• You would be based in a hospital department such as accident and emergency, outpatients, operating theatre or wards.
• You may also work alongside other professionals such as medical physicists, engineers, doctors and nurses.
• 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
• Care
• People and Society
• SfW Health Sector

Getting In

• A good general education is useful including English and Maths.
• You can enter through a Modern Apprenticeship in Healthcare Support (Clinical) at SCQF Level 6.
• You may need to sit an entrance test.
• Previous experience in a paid or voluntary role in a health care setting would be an advantage.
• 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.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2024

37830

1 %

RISE

2029

38211

  United Kingdom

2024

440365

3.6 %

RISE

2029

456428

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What Does it Take?

You need to have:

• good communication skills
• excellent listening skills
• the ability to work as part of a team
• patience and understanding
• IT skills
• accuracy and attention to detail
• an awareness of health and safety regulations.

Training

• Training is on the job. You would work towards SVQ Health Care Support (Clinical) at SCQF Level 6.
• You will follow a supervised programme of training including an introduction to the departments and its procedures; how to use the equipment; health and safety; and risk management.

Getting On

• This role plus further higher education, could lead to a career as a Radiographer - Diagnostic or Radiographer - Therapeutic.

Video

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.