Clinical Support Worker

Enables effective patient care and undertakes important clerical, administrative and housekeeping tasks to support the delivery of diagnostic imaging.

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About the role

The clinical support worker role is the starting point of the diagnostic radiography workforce career structure. While the bulk of the role’s duties are likely to be clerical, administrative and housekeeping, clinical support workers also support patient flow, working in clinical settings across diagnostic imaging examinations and modalities.

Knowledge, skills, competencies and qualifications

  • Clinical support workers take responsibility for completing their tasks and procedures, exercise autonomy and judgement subject to overall direction or guidance, and may collaborate with others, working closely with the diagnostic imaging team
  • Have a basic factual knowledge and understanding of diagnostic imaging or radiotherapy services, supported by the Care Certificate (in England) and an appropriate qualification.
  • They use general skills and work to routine procedures  or systems of work with close guidance and supervision.
  • They carry  out straightforward clinical, technical, scientific and administrative tasks; for example, supporting infection control procedures, performing routine administrative tasks, managing stock and assisting patients.

Key responsibilities

  • Maintain a clean and safe environment in an imaging department
  • Manage stock and consumables in an imaging department
  • Manage data relevant to the clinical imaging environment
  • Documentation
  • Communicate appropriately with patients, other support staff, radiographers, sonographers, nuclear medicine technologists, radiologists and the wider imaging team

View table of responsibilities

Level requirements

Clinical support workers will be educated to:

  • Education Level 2 (for example, through GCSEs or the Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship standard and diploma) at appointment or shortly afterwards. 
  • They will also achieve the Care Certificate and have (or will acquire soon after employment) Level 2 functional skills (English and Mathematics). 
  • Staff at this level wishing to progress should have access to relevant higher-level learning.

Although at this level it is not expected that support workers will have previous experience of healthcare; it would be desirable that candidates could demonstrate working with the public, including in volunteering roles.

More on recommended education

  • Healthcare support worker apprenticeship

    This apprenticeship is recommended for any individual wanting to work as a Clinical Support Worker providing treatment and care for patients. The purpose of this course is to take individuals from entry through to the gateway for end-point assessment.

    Average course length: 12 months

    Maximum funding: £3,000

    Area of apprenticeship: Health and Science

    Available apprenticeships

    1. IFATE | Healthcare Support Worker
    2. Gov.uk | Healthcare Support Worker
    3. Pearson | Healthcare Support Worker

     

  • Care certificate

    The Care Certificate is an identified set of standards that health and care professionals adhere to in their daily working life.

    Designed for the unregistered workforce, the Care Certificate gives everyone the confidence that health and care professionals have the same introductory skills, knowledge and behaviours to provide compassionate, safe and high-quality care and support in their own workplace setting.

    Access training here

Recommended pathway


Role

Entry-level education requirementsTraining and education once in post
Clinical Support WorkerLevel 2

  • 5 GCSEs 
    (grades 9-4 or A*- C)
  • Functional skills 
  • Level 2 apprenticeship
  • Level 2 functional skills, either on employment or shortly afterwards.
    Such as completing the Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship standard.
  • Previous experience of healthcare is not expected at this level; it would be desirable that candidates could demonstrate working with the public, including in volunteering roles. 
  • Once employed, clinical support workers will complete the Care Certificate.
  • This job role typically matches to AfC Band 2.

Developing further in the role

Hosted by SoR's Sue Johnson, Professional Officer of Clinical Imaging, this podcast series covers Technical Levels and the importance of Work Experience.

Technical Levels is a new initiative first introduced in sept 2020 for 16 to 19 year olds.

Aimed to provide young people the opportunity to experience the radiography profession. Which will hopefully encourage them to embark on a career within the field.

Guests: 

  • Richard Griffin
    Professor of Healthcare Management at King's College London
  • Karen Brakewell
    Head of Department, Radiology at Royal Lancaster Infirmary  
  • Naomi
    Deputy Head of Radiology at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

Guests: 

  • Richard Griffin
    Professor of Healthcare Management at King's College London
  • Melanie Smith
    NHS People professional with Chartered Fellowship of the CPID
  • David Tao
    Clinical Services Manager for the Community Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

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