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Therapeutic Radiographer: Duties, Pay, and How to Become One

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Therapeutic radiographers are critical to treating serious conditions like cancer and thyroid disease. Learn more about this high-paying healthcare career and what you need to do to join it.

[Featured Image]: A radiation therapist works with equipment while wearing a blue safety vest.

Therapeutic radiographers administer radiation treatment to patients facing life-threatening conditions like cancer. Pairing medical knowledge with an expert understanding of the equipment used to provide radiation treatment, therapeutic radiographers play a critical role in treating and supporting patients as they face a diagnosis that will likely impact their lives greatly.聽

If you鈥檙e an empathetic and detail-oriented individual looking to enter a patient-facing healthcare profession, a career as a therapeutic radiographer could align well with your goals and interests. Additionally, a shortage of therapeutic radiographers exists in the UK, so pursuing this profession can improve your future job prospects.聽

Learn more about therapeutic radiographers, including what they do, how much they earn, and the background and skills you鈥檒l need to become one.聽

What is a therapeutic radiographer??

Therapeutic radiographers are healthcare professionals who provide radiation treatment to patients suffering from health conditions like cancer and thyroid disease.聽

As critical members of an oncology team, therapeutic radiographers operate special machinery such as an X-ray machine, a CT scanner, or a linear accelerator (LINAC) to use radiation to treat cancerous tumours. Essentially, you use radiation beams in the form of photons, protons, or electrons to attack the cancer cells. Furthermore, healthcare professionals working with radiation must also wear dosimeter badges to track their radiation exposure and keep it within safe levels.聽

What does a therapeutic radiographer do?

While working as a therapeutic radiographer, you are primarily focused on treating cancer and other diseases, but you must also perform many other duties in your day-to-day work. A therapeutic radiographer鈥檚 typical duties can vary day-to-day and may include:聽

  • Provide and explain individualised treatment plans to patients and answer any questions.

  • Identify tumours and position the body of a patient with cancer correctly to ensure they receive proper treatment.

  • Operate and calibrate special equipment to administer radiation treatment.聽聽

  • Follow proper protocol to ensure patients and medical staff don鈥檛 receive improper radiation exposure.

  • Educate patients on treatment side effects and advise them on alleviating their symptoms.聽

  • Develop a rapport with patients and their families to establish trust.

  • Maintain detailed records on patient progress.聽聽

Where do therapeutic radiographers work?

NHS hospitals employ most therapeutic radiographers, but you may also work in private hospitals, clinics, or research institutions. As a result, therapeutic radiographers may work 37.5 hours per week, including nights and weekends. However, part-time options are available.聽聽

Therapeutic radiographer salary and job outlook聽

According to Glassdoor UK, the average annual salary for therapeutic radiographers is 拢31,603. The average base pay for this profession varies from 拢27,000 to 拢37,000 per year, not considering factors such as years of experience, which affect these averages [].

Job prospects appear promising because the demand for therapeutic radiographers is high. The UK faces a national shortage of therapeutic radiographers in many areas and specialisations. As a result, job growth will likely expand in the years to come with advancements in cancer treatment and technological advancements in targeted radiation.聽

How to become a therapeutic radiographer聽

To become a therapeutic radiographer, you need to earn an undergraduate degree in therapeutic radiography, which can take three to four years of full-time work. You can also earn a radiotherapy degree part-time, and going this route typically takes around six years. A postgraduate degree is another option. To practice in this profession, you must register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and gain practical experience to build essential skills.

Consider these steps you鈥檒l likely need to take to start working as a therapeutic radiographer in the real world:聽

1. Gain the proper credentials聽

To qualify for a position as a therapeutic radiographer, you must possess a bachelor鈥檚 degree in therapeutic radiography, also known as radiotherapy. If you acquire an undergraduate degree in a science-related field, you can take a two-year postgraduate course. Whether a bachelor鈥檚 or a master鈥檚 degree, you want to ensure the HCPC approves the programme. Another option to meet the educational credentials for this position is through an apprenticeship programme.聽聽

2. Earn occupational health clearance

Prospective therapeutic radiographers will likely need to meet qualifications to gain occupational health clearance. The purpose of achieving health clearance is to ensure you don鈥檛 pass an illness to a patient with a compromised immune system. Prepare to pass criminal record checks and an exam for occupational health clearance.聽

3. Get registered聽

Therapeutic radiographers must register with the HCPC to practice legally in the UK. Though optional, you might also consider joining the Society of Radiographers (SOR), a trade union for radiography professionals.聽

4. Develop your skills聽

As a therapeutic radiographer, you must possess knowledge of human anatomy, health, and the specialised medical equipment you will use daily to provide life-saving treatments. Once you meet all the required credentials, it鈥檚 time to gain professional experience and develop the skills you鈥檒l use daily as a therapeutic radiographer.聽

Therapeutic radiographers must also embody several essential workplace skills to ensure they provide the best treatment possible and emotionally support patients as they face a potentially life-threatening illness. Some common interpersonal skills you鈥檒l need to be a successful therapeutic radiographer include:聽

  • Attention to detail: As a therapeutic radiographer, you must be detail-oriented to ensure that patients receive the exact amount of radiation in the precise spot they need it.聽

  • Empathy: You will need to empathise with your patients to ensure they feel supported as they undergo treatment.聽

  • Communication: Part of your work as a therapeutic radiographer involves communicating treatment plans clearly to patients and coordinating with other healthcare professionals to ensure your patients鈥 needs are met.

Prepare for your future as a radiation therapist聽

As a therapeutic radiographer, you鈥檒l ensure patients with medical conditions get the necessary care. If this impactful healthcare job calls out to you, you might consider taking a cost-effective online course on 糖心vlog官网观看 to discover more.聽

In the University of Sydney鈥檚 Life, Health, and Radiation course on 糖心vlog官网观看, you鈥檒l explore X-rays, where they come from, their risks, and their benefits.

In the University of Michigan鈥檚 Anatomy Specialisation, also on 糖心vlog官网观看, you鈥檒l uncover the foundations of human anatomy, including the major organ systems, their functions, and relationships within the body.

Article sources

  1. Glassdoor. 鈥, https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/united-kingdom-therapeutic-radiographer-salary-SRCH_IL.0,14_IN2_KO15,39.htm.鈥 Accessed 5 September 2024.

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