Radiographer
Use different kinds of radiation to help diagnose or treat people who are ill or injured.
About the job
Salary
Source: National Careers Service
Weekly
£538
Entry level
£827
Experienced
Monthly
£2,333
Entry level
£3,583
Experienced
Yearly
£28,000
Entry level
£43,000
Experienced
2,000
people are currently employed
Low growth
100 more jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
What it's like
You'd use different kinds of radiation to help diagnose or treat people who are ill or injured.
You'd use highly technical, computerised equipment. There are two types of radiography – diagnostic and therapeutic.
As a diagnostic radiographer, you'd:
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'd:
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 NHS Scotland Careers website.
Hours
Environment
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- taking responsibility
- making decisions
- managing resources
- developing a plan
- working with numbers
- listening
- cooperating
- building relationships
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Biology
Care
Chemistry
Human Biology
Physics
You need an honours degree in radiography (SCQF Level 10).
To entry a radiography honours degree (SCQF Level 10) you'll need 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'll need a relevant science or health-related honours degree.
Qualifications that show understanding of health and wellbeing such as Skills for Work Health and Social Care (SCQF Level 6) would also be of use for some basic knowledge.
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)
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