Therapeutic radiographer
Therapeutic radiographers play a crucial part in fighting cancer and supporting patients on their road to recovery.
Therapeutic radiographers play a crucial part in fighting cancer and supporting patients on their road to recovery.
As a therapeutic radiographer, you’ll be part of a team dedicated to helping those with cancer. You’ll be based in a hospital, working alongside patients and colleagues to design treatment programmes. You’ll support patients until their treatment ends.
From taking initial X-rays to using a CT scanner or linear accelerator, you’ll work with complex advanced technologies. You’ll be part of a wider team, working with members from multiple departments to guide patients on their recovery from cancer.
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. If you work in the NHS, you’ll be paid on the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay system, typically starting on band 5.
You will be able to claim £2,000 a year towards childcare costs through the NHS Learning Support Fund, and there’s funding available for adult dependants and some placement travel costs too. If you have a disability, there are grants to help with essential costs while studying via the Disabled Students’ Allowance.
If working on the NHS you will have access to one of the best pension schemes in the UK, as well as access to exclusive health service discounts and benefits at some of the most popular brands.
You’ll receive an annual personal development review to ensure you’re making the most of every opportunity offered. And with continuous professional development, you can add to your skills and progress to specialist roles with a higher pay grade.
You’ll be encouraged to join the Society of Radiography where you can take courses, conferences, and seminars.
You may also choose to specialise in treating certain cancers. That might include working with children or new emerging technologies such as proton-beam therapy. You might also use your skills to follow a career in research, teaching or management.
To become a therapeutic radiographer, you must first successfully complete an approved degree or master's in radiotherapy. Degree courses take three or four years full-time, or up to six years part-time. There are also some postgraduate programmes that can take two years.
Once you’ve completed your degree, you need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) before you can start practising.
Entry requirements for an undergraduate degree include:
Or the equivalent qualifications:
A degree apprenticeship is another way to become a therapeutic radiographer. Apprenticeships give you the chance to earn a living while gaining your qualification.
To get onto a degree apprenticeship, you will need to apply for an apprentice position with a health care provider. You can search for vacancies on the NHS Jobs website and Find an Apprenticeship website.
Once you’ve successfully completed a programme approved by the HCPC, you are then eligible to apply for registration with them. Once registered as a practitioner, you’ll be required to retain your name on the register by keeping your knowledge and skills up-to-date and paying an annual retention fee.
Your employer and the government will pay the tuition fees, so apprenticeships aren’t eligible for student grants.
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