Equipping radiographers with the skills required to progress from practitioner to advanced practitioner and, potentially, to consultant practitioner should not be viewed as a step progression. Rather, the acquirement of skills and the learning process is continuous such that an experienced practitioner will have many or all of the skills of an advanced practitioner.

Similarly, an advanced practitioner will need to be cognisant of the skills required of a consultant practitioner to be able to take advantage of consultant openings which occur. Hence, advanced practitioners should aim to acquire consultant level skills where possible, and be able to evidence them. There will be advanced practitioners operating at, or close to, consultant practitioner level: this is essential to support service continuity and succession planning. Such individuals will be well placed to apply for additional consultant posts in their locality or elsewhere and to cover for annual and other leave or to act up should a consultant position become vacant.