Career outlook for
Figures and forecasts for roles at the same level, which require similar skills and qualifications.
Average UK salary
Currently employed in Scotland
Six year jobs forecast
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What's it like?
You would use different kinds of radiation to help diagnose or treat people who are ill or injured.
You would use highly technical, computerised equipment. There are two types of radiography – diagnostic and therapeutic.
As a diagnostic radiographer, you would:
- Produce and interpret high quality images of the body to identify and diagnose injury and disease.
- Screen people for abnormalities
- Take part in surgical procedures, such as biopsies (examining tissues to find the cause of disease)
As a therapeutic radiographer, you would:
- Plan and deliver treatment using x-rays and other radioactive sources
- Work closely with medical specialists to plan and treat malignant tumours or tissue defects
- Assess and monitor patients throughout treatment and follow up
Your patients might be very anxious and upset so you’d need to be sensitive and gentle with them.
In both areas you would work as part of a team with radiologists, clinical oncologists, physicists, radiology nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Your patients could be very ill; you’d need to have emotional strength. It would also be important to keep up to date with new techniques and treatments.
You can see more about the role of the Diagnostic radiographer and the Therapeutic radiographer on the NHSScotland Careers website. See the Learning and development sections for information about career structure, progression and rates of pay.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
UK employment status
Full-time
Part-time
Self employed
Create a qualification route
We’ve found some examples of the qualifications that could help you get this job.
Discover my routeTop skills
Here are some of the skills that people in this job would be most likely to have:
- Communicating with people
- Working as part of a team
- Taking the lead
- Being physically fit
- Coping with pressure
- Planning and organising
- Making decisions
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Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you’ll need.
Qualifications
You need an honours degree in radiography (SCQF level 10).
To entry a radiography honours degree (SCQF level 10) requires National 5 qualifications and at least four Highers at BBBC or above.
To enter a two-year postgraduate diploma (SCQF level 11) which can lead to an MSc course in Radiotherapy, you will need a relevant science or health related honours degree
Useful subjects
Many courses require:
- English
- Maths
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
You will also need
- To pass a medical examination
- To be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland
- To register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Helpful to have
Qualifications that show understanding of health and wellbeing such as Skills for Work Health Sector (SCQF 6)/ Health and Social Care (SCQF 4/5) would also be of use for some basic knowledge.
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