Radiography assistant

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You may find it useful to do a college course before applying for jobs, for example:

• Level 2 Certificate in Health and Social Care
• Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support
• A level in a science
• T Level in Healthcare Science

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could do a Healthcare Science Assistant Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This takes between 12 and 18 months to complete.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Work

You could start as a healthcare assistant and work your way up through training and promotion.

Volunteering

You might have an advantage when looking for jobs if you have volunteering experience in a healthcare setting.

You can also find volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Do IT .

DirectApplication

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got relevant skills and experience from working in a healthcare setting. Some employers may ask for a qualification in healthcare and GCSE subjects like maths, English and science.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Skills:

• 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
• knowledge of English language
• active listening skills
• the ability to read English
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to work well with your hands
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Radiography assistants help radiographers to take images and scans of patients.

As a radiography assistant, you would:

• reassure patients and get them ready for their x-ray or scan
• help to process images
• enter patient data into a computer system
• carry out routine equipment checks and report any faults
• take patients to and from other wards

Location : You could work at a hospice or in an NHS or private hospital.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £22,000
Experienced : £24,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

Career Path:

With experience and further training, you could:

• go on to be an assistant practitioner
• study part time to become a radiographer
• join The Society of Radiographers for professional development opportunities