About us
Medical Imaging and Medical Physics (MIMP) at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals has an excellent reputation for training and staff development with an established training team. The team consists of a training & development manager, a dedicated training lead for the directorate, practice educators to support the diagnostic radiography students, and training assistants. We support around 50-60 diagnostic radiography students each year. Together the training team runs many courses each year for the MIMP directorate, across the Trust and for external candidates.
Medical Physics have Trainee Clinical Scientists and Trainee Technologists, as well as apprentices.
Careers in Diagnostic Radiography
Diagnostic Radiographers are regulated professionals with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). Radiographers undertake a broad range of diagnostic examinations (usually within Radiology departments). They work in partnership with other professionals, patients, and carers to produce high quality diagnostic imaging for diagnosis and health monitoring. Generally, radiographers begin their career within general imaging departments carrying out plain film examinations (the most common form of x-ray, the type of examination you would receive if you fall and break a bone). Even at the start of their career radiographers would be expected to carry out imaging in fluoroscopy (live x-rays) in operating theatres and in fluoroscopy rooms, as well as some Computed Tomography (CT). Within Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, our general radiographers undertake; plain film, mobile radiography, neonatal, fluoroscopy, CT and dental radiography. Radiographers may also choose to specialise into areas such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Mammography (breast imaging), Angiography, CT, Fluoroscopy, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, research, or education.
The role of the Diagnostic Radiographer is constantly evolving with advancements in technology and changes to guidelines. There are a variety of advanced practice routes available for Radiographers including interventional procedures and reporting of radiographic examinations. In some instances, Radiographers can advance to the position of Consultant Radiographer (not to be confused with consultant radiologists, who are the doctors who work within imaging) or Clinical Specialists.
In order to become a registered Diagnostic Radiographer you must complete a BSc (Hons) (or MSc) Diagnostic Radiography at a University. This is usually a three-year full-time degree course in which you will receive full training and undertake extensive clinical placement within hospital radiology departments. This is subject to application and currently requires a student loan or alternative funding to cover the course costs. The best place to find out the current academic requirements and costings is to contact the universities directly or visit their webpages.
Average requirements tend to be:
• 5 GCSE passes at grade C/grade 4 or above (to include maths, English language, and a science subject or equivalent).
• 120 UCAS points from 3 A levels (including at least 40 points from Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths) or BTEC extended diploma in a related subject.
• Access to a Higher Education (HE) diploma from a QAA recognised access to HE course in health studies, health science, nursing or another science based course.
• Post graduate applications must have a 2.2 in a relevant science degree.
• Some practical experience in a care setting (this is not work experience, and could include volunteering in a residential home or hospice).
• Some clinical experience.
There is also an apprenticeship route into Diagnostic Radiography, which involves paid employment with block release to attend University. Places are very limited and are recruited to via NHS Jobs, usually around November/December to start in March.
At Sheffield Teaching Hospitals we do not offer ‘work experience’ for applicants to diagnostic radiography due to rules relating to the use of ionising radiation and extensive HR checks to protect our patients, staff and services. Instead, we offer clinical open days several times a year which feature lectures from radiographers, students and managers about the profession, course and day to day activities of a radiographer. The open days also include a tour of our Quality Standard for Imaging accredited imaging departments. This open day is accepted by universities as ‘clinical experience within a radiology department’ and attendees will receive a certificate and documentation to support their application.
To book a place on one of our open days or for more information about being a radiographer at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals please contact sth.medicalimagingrecruitment@nhs.net
