WHAT DOES A RADIOGRAPHER DO?

Types of Radiography

There are two types of Radiography, Diagnostic and Therapeutic. Both need considerable knowledge of technology, anatomy and physiology and pathology to carry out their work.

The NHS employs 90% of all radiographers, with other opportunities in private clinics and industry. There are about 18,000 state registered radiographers in the UK. The ratio of diagnostic to therapeutic radiographers is ten to one.

For more information on careers in Radiography, please contact:

College of Radiographers
207 Providence Square
Mill Street
London
SE1 2EW
Tel: 020 7740 7200
Email: info@sor.org
Website: www.sor.org

Working as a Diagnostic Radiographer

Diagnostic radiographers work mainly within the radiology and imaging departments of hospitals (NHS trusts or private sector) but may also work in surgeries/clinics.

Radiology departments within hospitals normally include a number of sections encompassing a wide range of different imaging modalities e.g. ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, nulclear medicine and, of course, X-rays. Diagnostic radiographers are able to undertake most investigations but may later specialise in one particular area.

Diagnostic radiographers provide a service for most departments within the hospital including, Accident and Emergency, outpatients, operating theatres and wards. Close liaison and collaboration with a wide range of other health care professionals is therefore vital.

X-rays and ultrasound are just two of the imaging techniques used by diagnostic radiographers to look at injuries or disease, or monitor changes inside the body. While most diagnostic radiographers carry out a range of procedures, they may specialise in techniques such as computerised tomography scanning, or magnetic resonance imaging which uses magnetic field and radio frequency waves to produce cross-sectional images of the body.

Diagnostic radiography is a fast-moving and continually changing profession, and long-term career prospects include management, research, clinical work and teaching.

Working as a Therapeutic Radiographer

The therapeutic radiographer works closely with doctors, nurses, physicists and other members of the oncology team to treat patients with cancer.

Therapeutic radiographers deliver doses of X-rays and other ionising radiation’s, most of whom are suffering from various forms of cancer. The aim of the treatment is to deliver an accurate dose of radiation to the tumour/cancer whilst minimising the dose received by the surrounding tissues. They establish where the area to be treated is located and work out the exact dosage required with doctors and medical physicists.

Therapeutic radiographers may be involved in the care of the cancer patient from the initial referral clinic stage, where pre-treatment information is given, through the planning process, treatment and eventually post-treatment review (follow-up) stages.