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General Description

This is an ideal career for a logical and analytical thinker. A radiographer, otherwise known as a medical imaging technologist, operates imaging equipment such as X-ray machines to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. There are two types of radiography – diagnostic and therapeutic. Both require knowledge of technology, anatomy, physiology, and pathology. 

As a diagnostic radiographer, you may use different types of imaging methods, including ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine and X-ray. This equipment forms images of bone, fat, muscle or tumours. Diagnostic radiographers provide services for many departments within a hospital, for example, accident and emergency, operating theatres and wards, and outpatients.

Therapeutic radiographers, increasingly being called radiotherapy radiographers, work alongside doctors, nurses and physicists, and other members of an oncology team to treat patients with cancer. In this job, you deliver ionising radiation to patients, with the aim of distributing an accurate dose of radiation to the cancer or tumour, whilst ensuring the surrounding tissue only receives minimal radiation. 

What you do every day

A routine day in the job of a diagnostic radiographer may include a range of tasks. You may carry out an emergency X-ray on a car accident victim, a nuclear scan of a cardiology patient, or a mammogram of an outpatient. Regardless, once a medical practitioner has requested a test in the radiography department, it is your job as the radiographer to determine the appropriate imaging technique for the patient, and calculate the details of the test, such as length and intensity of exposure to radiation.

You explain the procedures to the patients, answering any questions or concerns that they have. You then carry out the correct preparations, and position the equipment and patient to guarantee the best results of the imaging test. You are in charge of the patient’s welfare, while maintaining strict safety procedures to ensure the risk of radiation exposure to yourself is very low.

As a radiotherapy radiographer, your job is more concerned with the care of a cancer patient. You care for them all the way through from the initial referral clinic stage, where you provide them with pre-treatment information, through the planning process, into treatment and then into the post-treatment review stage. You may deal with any number of these stages with many patients in just one day.  

Personality that best fits this career

Overall, radiographers should have an interest and an aptitude for science and technology. This very specific occupation requires an eye for detail and analytical skills, along with the ability to work accurately, first time, every time. You must have stamina to work in peak condition, coping with shift work and long days. Naturally, the desire to help people is just as important as your knowledge of the field.

The best radiographers also have good communication and people skills. As you are constantly interacting with patients and other members of the medical team, you need to communicate easily and effectively. Patients will often be nervous about the tests, and so you must convey the process of the examination in a way they can understand. A good bedside manner will enable the patients to trust you and relax.

The ability to work as part of a team is also vital. Teamwork offers the support to help you deal with the stress and pressure of an emergency situation.

Best thing about this career

A radiographer fulfils a vital role within the medical system. Each day, you encounter new patients with different injuries and conditions. Without your part the success of diagnosis and treatment would be much reduced. By going about your daily duties, you are helping people and bringing hope into patients’ lives. The high level of job satisfaction is rewarding. The advancements in medical technology also make for interesting work, and will only increase in the years to come.

Worst thing about this career

It can be a daunting experience, working with radiation on a daily basis. Although you are trained in strict safety procedures, there will always be the risk of radiation. You also have to be acutely aware of the appropriate doses of radiation for your patients, for this job leaves no room for error, especially if the patients are of a reproductive age. The pressure of being precise throughout each shift can be difficult, as you do not have the opportunity to have an ‘off day’.

It can also be emotionally challenging, working with injured and sick patients. Occasionally the results of your examinations may be frightening, and leave little hope for the patient’s life. This can effect your emotional state while at work, but also can follow you home.