Radiographer
Use different kinds of radiation to help diagnose or treat people who are ill or injured.
About the job
What it's like
You'll use different kinds of radiation to help diagnose or treat people who are ill or injured. The equipment you'll use is highly technical and computerised.
There are two types of radiography â diagnostic and therapeutic.
As a diagnostic radiographer, you'll use imaging technology to take high-quality images of the body.
Your tasks might include:
taking images of patients' injuries or conditions using x-rays, MRI or ultrasound
reviewing and interpreting the images to identify and diagnose injury and disease
screening people for abnormalities, for example during mammograms
treating people with care and answering their questions
taking part in surgical procedures, such as biopsies (examining tissues to find the cause of disease)
As a therapeutic radiographer, you'll deliver life-saving radiotherapy treatment to cancer patients.
Your tasks might include:
working closely with oncologists and medical physicists to make patient treatment plans
accurately delivering radiation treatment to malignant tumours, using specialised technology
assessing and monitoring patients throughout treatment and follow-up
following strict safety regulations and laws
providing care and comfort to patients, who are often anxious and upset
In both areas you'll work as part of a team with radiologists, clinical oncologists, physicists, radiology nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Your patients could be very ill; youâll need to have emotional strength. It's also 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.
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Radiography Careers - What radiographers do and how to become one: info for young people from the Society of Radiographers (SoR)
Disclosure Scotland â about the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme
NHS Scotland Careers â behind the scenes with a therapeutic radiographer
NHS Scotland Careers â behind the scenes with a diagnostic radiographer
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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.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta 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 each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Biology
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Care
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Chemistry
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Human Biology
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Physics
You need an honours degree in radiography (SCQF Level 10).
Most universities accept a wide range of qualifications, so you'll have the option of applying from school or going to college first.
At college, you could do an HNC in a science-based subject before applying to university to do an undergraduate programme.
Contact individual universities to find out about their entry requirements.
When you become a qualified therapeutic radiographer, you must register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to work in the NHS. You can also join the Society of Radiographers.
Qualifications that show understanding of health and wellbeing such as Skills for Work Health and Social Care (SCQF Level 6) could be useful.
to pass a medical examination
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