Radiographer

You'll use different kinds of imaging technology to help diagnose, or therapeutic radiation to treat people who are ill or injured. The next-gen precision technology you’ll use is at the forefront of digital medicine!

There are two types of radiography – diagnostic and therapeutic.

Diagnostic radiographer

As a diagnostic radiographer, you'll use imaging technology to take high-quality images of the body.

Your tasks might include:

• taking images of patients' injuries or conditions using x-rays, MRI or ultrasound

• reviewing and interpreting the images to help identify and diagnose injury and disease

• screening people for abnormalities, for example during mammograms

• treating people with care and answering their questions

• taking part in surgical procedures, such as biopsies (examining tissues to find the cause of disease)

Working with radiologists and specialist nurses, you’ll identify health issues for patients who may be anxious or seriously unwell.

Your patients may be ill or in pain, so you’ll need to be resilient under pressure. You’ll also evolve your skills as new digital scanning techniques emerge.

Therapeutic radiographer

As a therapeutic radiographer, you'll deliver life-saving radiotherapy treatment to cancer patients.

Your tasks might include:

• working closely with oncologists and medical physicists to make patient treatment plans

• accurately delivering radiation treatment to malignant tumours, using specialised technology

• assessing and monitoring patients throughout treatment and follow-up

• following strict safety regulations and laws

• providing care and comfort to patients, who are often anxious and upset

In both areas you'll work as part of a team with radiologists, clinical oncologists, physicists, radiology nurses and other healthcare professionals.

Your patients could be very ill; you’ll need to have emotional strength. It's also important to keep up to date with new techniques and treatments.

You can see more about the role of the Diagnostic radiographer and the Therapeutic radiographer on the NHS Scotland Careers website.

• Radiography Careers – What radiographers do and how to become one: info for young people from the Society of Radiographers (SoR)

• Disclosure Scotland – about the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme

• NHS Scotland Careers – behind the scenes with a therapeutic radiographer

• NHS Scotland Careers – behind the scenes with a diagnostic radiographer