Job type

Radiography assistant

£18k - £24k

Typical salary

40 – 42

Hours per week

Radiography assistants help radiographers with their day-to-day duties.

More info

Help radiographers with their day-to-day duties
You'll need patience and empathy, accuracy and attention to detail
You could join the Society of Radiographers to help progress your career

DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES

Providing reassurance to patients
Giving information
Taking patients to and from other wards
Helping to maintain equipment and reporting any faults
Assisting with procedures like biopsies
Clerical tasks
Your duties could also involve processing film images and keeping a high standard of hygiene in the department

DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT

You'll sometimes need to work shifts including evenings and weekends. The work can be physically and emotionally demanding, as you'll be working with patients who have a range of health conditions. You'll wear protective clothing, like an x-ray apron, when working with some machines. You'll be based within a hospital radiography department or outpatient clinic.

You'll need

This role would be ideal for someone with patience and empathy, accuracy and attention to detail, excellent communication and listening skills, and the ability to reassure patients who may be worried or distressed.

There are no set entry requirements, but it may be useful if you have at least 4 GCSEs including maths, English and a science subject.

You may also find it useful when applying for jobs if you've got a college qualification, for example a Level 2 Diploma in Healthcare Support Services, Level 2 Certificate in Health and Social Care or Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support.

You may have an advantage if you've worked or volunteered in a health or social care role. You could contact the voluntary services co-ordinator at your local NHS trust for further advice. Do-it also has information on voluntary opportunities in your area.

You could start as a healthcare assistant and work your way up through training and promotion. You may be able to study on the job for a qualification in clinical imaging support.

Alternatively, you could complete an intermediate apprenticeship as a healthcare science assistant.

You could join The Society of Radiographers for professional development and training opportunities.

CAREER PROSPECTS

You could join the Society of Radiographers to help progress your career.

With experience and further study, you could go on to be an assistant practitioner or fully qualified radiographer. You may be able to do this on a secondment basis with financial support from your employer.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS