Radiographer

You'd use different kinds of radiation to help diagnose or treat people who are ill or injured.

You'd use highly technical, computerised equipment. There are two types of radiography – diagnostic and therapeutic.

As a diagnostic radiographer, you'd:

• produce and interpret high-quality images of the body to identify and diagnose injury and disease

• screen people for abnormalities

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

As a therapeutic radiographer, you'd:

• plan and deliver treatment using X-rays and other radioactive sources

• work closely with medical specialists to plan and treat malignant tumours or tissue defects

• assess and monitor patients throughout treatment and follow up

Your patients might be very anxious and upset, so you’d need to be sensitive and gentle with them.

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

Your patients could be very ill; you’d need to have emotional strength. It would also be 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

• Disclosure Scotland – more about the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme

• Health and Care Professions Council - Regulates people working in health, psychological and social work

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

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