A Radiography Technician works with high-tech diagnostic equipment to provide the X-rays doctors and patients rely on
If you’ve ever broken a part of your body, like an arm or a leg, the hospital will have taken an x-ray. An x-ray produces an image of the inside of the body which enables doctors to look at bones and make a diagnosis of many other conditions. Radiography technicians work with cutting edge equipment to produce these images. Different kinds of imaging machines are used for different parts of the body.
An important part of a radiography technician’s role is supporting patients – explaining what’s involved in a procedure, helping them to get into the right position to achieve the best image possible, and answering any questions they may have. You could be the technician who provides reassurance, helps to diagnose people’s conditions, and enables the right treatment to start.
With experience you could become a specialist in a particular area of radiography or progress to the position of team leader.
You also have the option to move into therapeutic radiography, to provide high quality and accurate radiotherapy to patients diagnosed with cancer.
There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job. But if you're interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:
But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:
Options available after GCSEs:
Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.
As well as interacting with patients, you will work with a wide range of healthcare staff, including doctors, nurses, and hospital porters. You will primarily work in the diagnostic imaging department of a hospital, but you could also provide support in the emergency department, operating theatre, intensive care unit, and by taking mobile imaging units to hospital wards.
This role can also be known by some other job titles including:
Diagnostic Radiographer
