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X-ray

Radiography Technician

Working with high-tech diagnostic equipment to provide the X-rays doctors and patients rely on

How this role makes a difference

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.

Useful skills
Attention to detail
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Communicating complex ideas
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Skills & attributes

The kind of work you’ll do

  • Confirming patients’ details
  • Talking to patients and their carers or families about procedures
  • Helping patients to get into the correct position for images to be taken
  • Operating the imaging equipment
  • Adjusting imaging settings
  • Checking the quality of images
  • Recording the results of a test
  • Working with radiologists to interpret test results

What you can bring to the role

An interest in health and how patient issues are diagnosed.

A desire to help people in the work you do.

A natural ability to connect with a wide range of people.

The ability to focus and pay close attention to details.

A knack for communicating complex ideas to others.

The confidence to learn about new technology and equipment.

A sensitivity to how people are feeling and the skill to treat them appropriately.

This role could also be right for you if you have any of the following interests:

- caring for others

- science

£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per year *
£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per month *

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities

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.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

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.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Diagnostic Radiographer

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Kelly Greaney

Radiography Technician

Kelly Greaney
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