You’ll work with radiographers who utilise imaging to discover which disease or condition is causing a patient’s ailment and use x-rays and other ionising radiation to treat medical illnesses, including cancer and tumours.
Responsibilities
Throughout your apprenticeship, you may help:
- provide reassurance to patients
- give information
- take patients to and from other wards
- help to maintain equipment and report any faults
- assist with procedures like biopsies
- process images
- order stock for the department
- enter patient data into a computer system.
Salary
- You’ll be paid on the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay system, typically starting on band 2 £18,545.
- Experienced radiography assistants can earn up to £24,881 per year.
- You’ll also have access to our generous pension scheme and health service discounts, as well as 27 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays, which increases the longer you’re in service.
Working hours
Your standard working week will be around 37.5 hours and may include a mix of shifts, such as nights, early starts, evenings and weekends.
Working environment
You could work at a hospice or in an NHS or private hospital.
Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Qualifications
Qualifications you can achieve as an apprentice radiographer assistant include:
- Level 2 Healthcare Science Assistant – Entry requirements for this level include some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship. This qualification will take 12 months to complete.
Skills
On a radiographer assistant apprenticeship, you’ll learn:
- sensitivity and understanding
- customer service skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- to be flexible and open to change
- the ability to work well with others
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of medicine and anatomy
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently.
Employers
Most radiography assistants and imaging support professionals work for the NHS. They service the majority of hospital departments, including ER, outpatients, operating rooms, and wards.
Some radiography assistants and imaging support workers work in private healthcare.
Professional development
You will receive the training you need to work as a radiography assistant or imaging support worker. This includes:
- an introduction to the department and its systems and procedures
- using the equipment
- health and safety
Members of the Society of Radiographers include certain radiography assistants and image support workers. The Society organises training programmes and conferences so that radiography assistants and image support workers may keep up to date on their skills and network with others in the industry.
Career prospects
With experience, you may be able to seek a job as an assistant practitioner and pursue a foundation degree in an area such as radiography or cancer practice. This may enable you to join year two of a degree programme leading to radiographer registration (this may be done as part of a secondment, with financial support from your employer).