Radiographers are at the front line of modern medicine. They
use a range of techniques and equipment to produce high quality images of
disease or injury and offer treatment. This is integral for patients to receive
the best kind of overall treatment.
In many cases it is essential for doctors to have the images
that radiographers produce in order to be able to make an accurate diagnosis.
It is all thanks to the skills of the radiographers that many patients are
steered towards recovery
Types
of radiographer
There are two main types of radiographer: diagnostic and
therapeutic. Diagnostic radiographers use technology to produce images of
injury and disease. They use X-rays, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, CT and MRI to
create these images, which can be used for anything from fractured bones to
cancer.
Therapeutic radiographers use techniques such as simulation
and computer planning to aid in the treatment of cancer.
In many cases this is the first defence against the disease and often has
positive results. But what does it take to become a radiographer in the first
instance?
Qualifications
Starting from the beginning, you need to know that
radiographers are not doctors. Their skills are medical and they liaise and
work closely with doctors and nurses, but the qualification exists as a
distinct entity.
Radiographers need to complete a degree at university level
to become fully qualified. But before getting on to a degree course you will
need to have five or more GCSEs at grades A to C. You will also need to have at
least two (but in most cases three or more) A-Levels at grade C or above.
A-Level equivalents such as the Access Course, VCE and Scottish qualifications
are accepted too.
However, these are just general guidelines and you have to
remember that every institution of higher education will have their own
criteria for entry. Given that demand to study radiography is high; you may be
expected to have more qualifications than those listed here to be considered
for some courses.
It is usually necessary to have GCSEs or A-Levels in science
subjects. Candidates may not be considered if they don’t have any science-based
qualifications. It’s also a good idea to have expressed a prior interest in the
field. Any work experience you have in the area or related subjects will be
taken into account on your application.
Degree
course
If you are accepted on to a degree course you will begin the
three-year process of learning to be a radiographer. Courses are usually
divided between practical and theoretical learning. At the end of the degree, provided
you have passed all your exams, you will become a qualified radiographer and be
eligible for work.
Of course, the learning doesn't stop there. As a full time
radiographer working in any field you will need to keep abreast of all the
latest developments. You will be working so closely with technology that is
constantly evolving, so you will need constant training in new techniques and
equipment. The battle against cancer is always ongoing, so therapeutic
radiographers in particular will be at the cutting edge of medical technology.
The good news is that radiographers are always in high
demand. So, should you be lucky enough to get a place on a course, getting a job at the end is a very realistic possibility.
