Diagnostic radiographer

You'll work directly with patients in hospital imaging departments, using specialist equipment to produce high-quality images and working closely with doctors and other healthcare professionals to support diagnosis and treatment decisions.

You'll use imaging techniques such as:

• angiography - imaging of blood vessels, often using a contrast dye
• CT scans (computerised tomography) - a series of detailed x-ray images taken from different angles
• fluoroscopy - real-time x-ray imaging used to guide some procedures
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
• x-ray.

With further training and experience, you may specialise in areas such as ultrasound, image reporting or interventional radiography, where imaging is used to help guide minimally invasive procedures.

What does a diagnostic radiographer do?

You'll typically need to:

• assess patients and their medical information to decide which imaging technique is most suitable
• prepare and position patients for scans and other imaging tests, explaining what will happen and checking it is safe to go ahead
• carry out a range of imaging examinations to produce clear, high-quality images
• use imaging equipment safely and accurately and report any faults or problems
• follow radiation safety procedures and keep patients' radiation exposure as low as reasonably practicable
• check images are clear and suitable for use, and recognise any urgent or unexpected findings that need to be passed on
• support more complex imaging and image-guided procedures, working with radiologists and other healthcare professionals
• provide care, reassurance and support to patients before, during and after imaging
• keep accurate patient and imaging records and follow clinical, safety and quality standards
• supervise and support students and imaging support staff, and contribute to training, audit and service improvement.

Salaries for diagnostic radiographers

• Jobs in the NHS in England are usually covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay rates, which consist of nine pay bands. As a newly qualified radiographer, you're likely to start at Band 5, with a salary of £32,073 to £39,043 in England.
• As an experienced or senior radiographer, you may progress to Band 6, with a salary of £39,959 to £48,117.
• With further experience and specialist or management responsibilities, you may progress to Band 7 (£49,387 to £56,515) or Band 8a (£57,528 to £64,750). Consultant radiographer posts are typically paid at higher Band 8 levels, although banding varies according to the role and level of responsibility.

NHS staff working in and around London may receive a high-cost area supplement of 5%, 15% or 20% of their basic salary, depending on location and subject to minimum and maximum payment levels.

Non-NHS pay rates vary by employer. On-call allowances and overtime payments may be paid in addition to basic salary.

These figures apply to NHS England. NHS salaries in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland differ. Check your country's pay scales for the most up-to-date NHS salary information.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours for diagnostic radiographers

You'll typically work a 37.5-hour week in England (36 hours in Scotland), with shifts spread across a seven-day period. This may include evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays, as well as on-call work.

Part-time work and job sharing may be possible, depending on departmental needs.

How do I become a diagnostic radiographer?

To practise as a diagnostic radiographer, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). To register, you'll need to complete an HCPC-approved radiography programme at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Undergraduate degrees typically take three years full time, or four years in Scotland. A small number of part-time routes are also available. You'll usually need GCSEs including English, maths and science, and A-levels or equivalent, including at least one science subject. Entry requirements vary, so check individual course providers.

If you already have a relevant science or healthcare degree, you may be able to take an accelerated postgraduate programme, typically lasting around two years full time. Undergraduate and postgraduate programmes combine academic study with substantial clinical placements.

In England, you can also train through an HCPC-approved Diagnostic Radiographer degree apprenticeship, combining paid work with academic study. Search Find an apprenticeship or NHS Jobs for opportunities.

You could also start as a radiography assistant and, with employer support, may be able to work and study part time towards qualification as a diagnostic radiographer.

You'll also need to complete occupational health checks and criminal record screening. In England and Wales this is through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in Scotland through the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme and in Northern Ireland through AccessNI.

Eligible pre-registration diagnostic radiography students in England can receive at least £5,000 a year through the NHS Learning Support Fund, plus an additional £1,000 Specialist Subject Payment. Financial support arrangements differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Find out more about a career in radiography.

What skills does a diagnostic radiographer need?

You'll need:

• attention to detail and observation skills to position patients correctly, produce high-quality images and spot anything that may need further attention
• communication and interpersonal skills to explain procedures clearly, reassure patients and work with other healthcare professionals
• decision-making and problem-solving skills to adapt imaging procedures to individual patients and respond to unexpected situations
• organisation and resilience to prioritise work, manage a busy workload and remain calm in urgent or challenging situations
• teamworking skills to work effectively with radiologists and other healthcare professionals and contribute to safe, coordinated patient care
• technical and digital skills to use imaging equipment and computer systems safely and accurately.

Do I need diagnostic radiography work experience?

Formal work experience isn't always required, but you'll need to show that you understand the role of a diagnostic radiographer and what working with patients in a healthcare setting involves.

You can build this understanding by:

• completing a more structured radiography work placement if available, or virtual work experience in radiography
• gaining experience of working with the public, particularly in a health or care setting
• speaking to radiographers or attending university open days and careers events
• visiting a radiology or imaging department or, where possible, shadowing a diagnostic radiographer
• volunteering or taking part in other activities that develop communication and teamworking skills and an understanding of patient care.

You may need to be proactive, as hospital work experience can be limited and some placements have age restrictions.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Diagnostic radiographer employers

There is currently a shortage of diagnostic radiographers in the UK, although vacancy levels and recruitment opportunities vary between regions and employers.

Diagnostic radiographers work mainly in the NHS, with opportunities also available with private and other independent healthcare providers. You'll usually work in hospital radiology or imaging departments, but may also work in areas such as emergency departments, intensive care, neonatal units and operating theatres, providing mobile or specialist imaging.

Other employers include:

• the armed forces
• medical imaging and equipment companies, for example in applications specialist or training roles
• prisons and other government services
• universities and research organisations
• veterinary practices.

Look for job vacancies at:

• HealthJobsUK
• Jobs.hscni.net - for vacancies in Northern Ireland.
• NHS Jobs - for vacancies in England and Wales.
• NHSScotland Jobs
• Society of Radiographers Jobs Board

Specialist recruitment agencies also handle vacancies. These include:

• Jennie Reeves Radiographers Agency
• Mediplacements
• Pulse
• Your World Healthcare

Where can a career as a diagnostic radiographer lead?

As a newly qualified diagnostic radiographer, you'll usually complete an induction and may undertake a period of preceptorship to help you consolidate your skills and develop confidence in practice. With experience, you can develop specialist expertise in areas such as:

• breast imaging
• CT and MRI
• emergency and trauma imaging
• image reporting
• interventional radiography
• nuclear medicine
• paediatric imaging
• ultrasound.

As your experience grows, you may progress into enhanced, advanced or consultant practice, taking on greater clinical responsibility and, in some roles, contributing to service development, education, leadership or research. You could also move into:

• clinical academic research
• service management
• specialist roles with medical imaging companies
• teaching or academic roles in higher education.

Throughout your career, you'll need to keep your knowledge and skills up to date through continuing professional development (CPD) to maintain your HCPC registration. The Society of Radiographers provides CPD support and networking opportunities for its members.

Post-registration study at PGCert, PGDip or MSc level can support your development. The College of Radiographers maintains a directory of post-registration courses covering areas including CT, MRI, radiographic reporting, ultrasound, breast imaging and nuclear medicine. If you're interested in research, you may also choose to do a PhD.