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Radiography assistant

Alternative titles for this job include Imaging support worker

Radiography assistants help radiographers with their day-to-day duties.

Average salary (a year)

£18,545 Starter

to

£24,881 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a radiography assistant

You can get into this job through:

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

College

You may find it useful when applying for jobs if you've got a college qualification, for example:

  • Level 2 Diploma in Healthcare Support Services
  • Level 2 Certificate in Health and Social Care
  • Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support
  • T Level in Healthcare Science

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 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

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could complete an intermediate apprenticeship as a healthcare science assistant.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

Work

You could start as a healthcare assistant and work your way up through training and promotion. You may be able to study on the job for a qualification in clinical imaging support.

Volunteering

You may have an advantage if you've worked or volunteered in a health or social care role.

You could contact the voluntary services co-ordinator at your local NHS trust for further advice.

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

Direct Application

You could apply directly to work as a radiography assistant. There are no set requirements, although many employers will ask for GCSE in subjects like maths, English and science.

Some employers may also prefer you to have a qualification in healthcare or health and social care.

More Information

Career tips

When applying for jobs and apprenticeships, you'll be expected to show an understanding of how NHS values apply in your work.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join The Society of Radiographers for professional development and training opportunities.

Further information

You can get more advice about working as a radiography assistant from Health Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • 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

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As part of your day-to-day duties, you could:

  • 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

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.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could join the Society of Radiographers to help progress your career.

With experience and further study, you could go on to be an assistant practitioner.

Your employer may give you the opportunity to work and study part-time to become a radiographer.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Healthcare Science Apprentice

  • Wage: £19,100.00 Annually
  • Location: Barwell Industrial Estate, Leatherhead Road, Chessington
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Healthcare Support, Diploma

  • Provider: WESTON COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION
  • Start date: 12 October 2022
  • Location: WESTON SUPER MARE

Certificate in Understanding the Care and Management of Diabetes Level 3

  • Provider: BLACKBURN COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 August 2023
  • Location: BLACKBURN
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