The Society of Radiographers has partnered with Health Education England to develop the role of support workers in diagnostic imaging services.
The Supporting Success project has issued guidance on occupation-specific roles and responsibilities for diagnostic radiography support workers employed in the NHS.
The guidance builds on the Allied Health Professions’ Support Worker Competency, Education and Career Development Framework to include diagnostic radiography specific competencies with progression routes linked to formal education that supports access to pre-registration diagnostic radiography degrees.
An expert reference group of SoR members has developed the work alongside HEE. The guidance and resources from the project set out the roles and responsibilities that diagnostic imaging support workers, including assistant practitioners, can perform at four career levels.
It provides additional, profession-specific competencies complementing the AHP Support Worker Competency, Education and Career Development Framework.
Specific areas covered include:
- growth of the imaging support workforce,
- task allocation, including the delegation from registered staff within the scope of practice of support staff,
- increased engagement with apprenticeships,
- development of supportive learning cultures, and,
- engagement with new sources of workforce supply.
The guidance can be accessed here.
Phase 2 of the project to develop further guidance on supervision and delegation, define and embed appropriate education routes and test the principles starts in January 2022. Sue Johnson, lead professional officer for this work, invites anyone interested to join the reference group for this next stage. Support workers are especially encouraged to get in touch and have their voices included. Please contact [email protected] for further information or to join the group.