Therapeutic Radiographer BSc - Level 6
Radiography
As a therapeutic radiographer, you’ll be part of a team helping people who are dealing with cancer. Based in a hospital, you’ll work with patients and colleagues to design treatment programmes and support patients until their treatment ends. From taking an initial X-ray, to using a CT scanner or a linear accelerator, you’ll use some of the most complex and advanced technology to treat tumours. Therapeutic radiographers are also central to a wider multidisciplinary team, working and consulting with colleagues across various departments.
Skills and knowledge
To become a Therapeutic Radiographer you will need:
- knowledge of medicine and medical procedures
- sensitivity and understanding
- to be safety-conscious
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of biology
- the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
- active listening skills
- concentration skills
- thinking and reasoning skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
- good observational skills
Qualifications
To become a therapeutic radiographer, you must first successfully complete an approved degree or masters in radiotherapy. Degree courses take three or four years full time, or up to six years part time. There are also some postgraduate programmes that can take two years. Once you’ve completed your degree, you need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) before you can start practising. The other option is to apply for an apprenticeship degree.
Routes into this job
You may be able to do a therapeutic radiographer degree apprenticeship.
This typically takes 36 months to complete as a mix of learning in the workplace and academic study at an approved university.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
You'll need to do an approved degree or postgraduate qualification, which allows you to register with the Health and Care Professions Council.
If you're a health professional or a graduate with a relevant first degree, you may be able to take a fast-track postgraduate qualification over 2 years.
You may be able to get additional student financial support through the NHS Learning Support Fund.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
You'll usually need:
- five GCSEs (grades A-C), including English language, maths and science
- two of three A levels, including physics, chemistry or biology/human biology.
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
Or equivalent qualifications:
- BTEC, HND or HNC which includes science
- relevant NVQ
- science-based access course
- equivalent Scottish or Irish qualifications
You can start as a radiography assistant and work your way up to assistant practitioner. At this level, your employer may give you the opportunity to work and study part-time for a degree and a professional qualification to become a radiographer.
Career progression
Once you’ve qualified, you’ll have annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) check-ins, where you will discuss your career aspirations and plan how you can achieve them, so you’re always moving forward. You’ll be encouraged to join The Society of Radiographers where you can take courses, conferences and seminars.
You may also choose to specialise in treating certain cancers, work with children or with new, emerging technologies such as proton beam therapy. Research, teaching or management are other career pathways.
Advanced Clinical Practitioner - Level 7
Advanced Clinical Practitioners are experienced clinicians who demonstrate expertise in their scope of practice. Advanced Clinical Practitioners manage defined episodes of clinical care independently, from beginning to end, providing care and treatment from the time an individual first presents through to the end of the episode, which may include admission, referral or discharge or care at home. They carry out their full range of duties in relation to individuals’ physical and mental healthcare and in acute, primary, urgent and emergency settings (including hospitals, general practice, individuals’ homes, schools and prisons, and in the public, independent, private and charity sectors). They combine expert clinical skills with research, education and clinical leadership within their scope of practice. Advanced Clinical Practitioners work innovatively on a one to one basis with individuals as well as part of a wider team. They work as part of the wider health and social care team and across traditional professional boundaries in health and social care.