Thinking of a career in diagnostic imaging?
Imaging is one of the most innovative aspects of healthcare, using state-of-the-art, advanced technology the clinical imaging team can look inside patients’ bodies and understand the root causes and extent of their illness.
Roles within diagnostic imaging
Clinical roles involve providing care for patients and are made up of registered and non-registered members of staff. Here are some roles within imaging and how to get there:
Clinical radiologist
To become a radiologist, you must have a degree in medicine. If you already have a degree, you could study for a four year post graduate degree in medicine. After medical school, you will join a two-year foundation programme which will require you to work across six different settings.
Upon completing the foundation programme, you can apply for specialist training to become a clinical radiologist. This programme takes a minimum of five years to complete.
Advanced radiographer
The AP is an experienced and registered radiographer who works with a high level of autonomy and involved in decision-making.
Sonographer
You can become a sonographer through completing a university course, apprenticeship or working the role. Sonographers will have a degree, typically in Radiography and then they are required to complete a postgraduate certification or a postgraduate diploma in medical or clinical ultrasound from an approved university provider.
This course requires students to have an agreed placement in an approved setting as the course involves placement and study.
Radiographer
You'll need to do a degree or postgraduate qualification approved by the Health and Care Professions Council to become a radiographer. Each university will have their own entry requirements but generally students will have:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- 3 A-levels or equivalent, including at least one science
- A degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
You may be able to do a Diagnostic or Therapeutic Radiographer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship. This takes a minimum of 36 months and is a mix of learning in the workplace and academic study at an approved university.
Non-registered staff
Support staff carry out a range of varied roles supporting the team. To enable support workers to meet the needs of local patients and carers, their role needs to be flexible and that is why support roles are locally determined and defined.
Some examples of support worker roles include chaperoning, caring for and preparing patients and carers prior to and following an examination or treatment.
Assistant Practitioners
Assistant Practitioners in radiography are pivotal to the delivery of high-quality, patient centred care. They are trained to a high standard to perform a range of clinical imaging examinations and procedures within a defined scope of practice.
Their work is delegated and under the supervision of a registered Radiographer or Radiologist. As part of the career pathway, the assistant practitioner role can be a route to becoming a diagnostic radiographer.
Non-clinical roles within diagnostic imaging
We are currently developing a non-clinical career pathway to demonstrate the range of admin and clerical roles within imaging.
Imaging Service Navigators are new roles that were introduced to help radiologists with communication tasks. To speak to a career's advisor for more information, here are some useful links to careers hubs:
Devon, Plymouth & Torbay Careers Hub