Careers information
What does a radiographer do?
Click on the radiographers photo below to see their individual profiles.
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| Levi | Rachel | Karen |
Radiographers are at the heart of modern medicine. There are two sorts of radiographer: diagnostic and therapeutic.
Diagnostic radiographers employ a range of different imaging techniques
and sophisticated equipment to produce high quality images of an injury
or disease. Diagnostic radiographers will take the images and very often
report on them so that the correct treatment can be given. They use a
range of techniques including:
- X-rays– to look through tissue to examine bones, cavities and foreign objects;
- Ultrasound – uses high frequency sound and is increasingly used due to its versatility in obstetrics, including fetal monitoring throughout pregnancy, gynaecology, abdominal, paediatrics, cardiac, vascular and musculo-skeletal;
- Fluoroscopy – to image the digestive system providing a live motion x-ray;
- CT (computed tomography) – which provides cross-sectional views (slices) of the body;
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) – builds a 2-D or 3-D map of different tissue types within the body;
- Nuclear medicine – this uses radioactive tracers which can be administered to examine how the body and organs function, for example the kidneys or heart. Certain radioisotopes can also be administered to treat particular cancers eg thyroid cancer.
- Angiography – to investigate blood vessels.
Therapeutic radiographers play a vital role in the treatment of cancer as the only health professionals\' qualified to plan and deliver radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is used either on its own or in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy. They manage the patient pathway through the many radiotherapy processes, as outlined below, providing care and support for patients throughout their radiotherapy treatment.
Therapeutic radiographers are trained in all the many aspects of radiotherapy including:
- Simulation - using specialist x-ray fluoroscopy machines to target the area to be treated whilst minimising the amount of exposure to surrounding healthy tissue;
- CT/MR Simulation - producing scans to be used for the planning of a course of radiotherapy;
- Computer planning - producing a 3D plan of the dose distribution across the area to be treated;
- External beam treatment - using ionising radiation, such as high-energy x-rays, the radiographer delivers accurate doses of radiation to the tumour;
- Mould Room - radiographers in the Mould Room plan the treatment of and produce immobilisation/beam attenuation devises for those receiving radiotherapy to the head or neck;
- Brachytherapy - the use of small radioactive sources placed on or in tumors to treat to a high dose while avoiding normal tissues;
- On treatment review - radiographers regularly assess patients while they are undergoing radiotherapy, prescribing drugs to counteract side effects where necessary or referring them on to other health professionals if needed.
Skills
Both diagnostic and therapy radiographers need a range of skills including:
- Good interpersonal skills to communicate with other members of the team and to provide support for patients who may be frightened or uncertain about what is going to happen. Therapy radiographers in particular get to know patients because they see them regularly through the course of treatment. It is important they can develop a rapport with the individual and their family.
- Knowledge of, and an interest in, the sciences such as biology, anatomy and physiology.
- The confidence (after appropriate training) to work with leading-edge technology.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- The ability to learn new skills and adapt – radiography is constantly changing.
- To make decisions quickly and independently.
All radiographers work to a Code of Conduct and Ethics which sets out
the underpinning values and principles to promote maintain and
disseminate the highest standards of behaviour in order to enhance the
good standing and reputation of the radiography profession. http://doc-lib.sor.org/code-conduct-and-ethics
Why should I want to be a radiographer?
How to become a radiographer
Resources
Radiographers promoting radiography
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A new website aimed at promoting careers in the Allied Health Professions, including radiography, to school children and students
aged 7 to 16 years is now available at www.newgenerations.org.uk |
Directory of radiography courses
Undergraduate
The Radiography Education and Training Directory of Courses lists:
(a) all UK validated and approved courses which lead to professional qualification and HPC registration
(b) all courses overseas which have been accredited by The College of Radiographers for professional radiographer membership of The Society of Radiographers
Download/View Directory of Courses PDF
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