Five careers for a Diagnostic Radiography graduate

A Diagnostic Radiography degree can lead to specialist careers in healthcare. You will help diagnose illness and injury in humans (or animals) using imaging technology.

Here are five exciting jobs you could move toward after graduating:

Diagnostic Radiographer

Capture images that help doctors diagnose illness.

Diagnostic radiographers take X-rays and scans to help doctors see inside the body. You will work with patients of all ages in hospitals or clinics.

Responsibilities include:

• taking X-rays
• carrying out CT and MRI scans
• preparing patients for imaging and explaining procedures clearly
• checking image quality
• working with doctors and nurses
• keeping patients safe from radiation
• working in busy hospital departments
• work with surgeons to image breaks during surgery

With experience, you could become a specialist radiographer. You could also move into management or teaching.

Nuclear Medicine Technologist / Radiographer

Use radioactive tracers to detect disease.

Nuclear medicine radiographers use small amounts of radioactive medicine to create detailed images that show how organs are working.

Responsibilities include:

• preparing and giving radioactive tracers
• carrying out gamma camera scans and analysing them
• monitoring patients during procedures
• checking radiation safety
• working with physicists and doctors
• explaining scans to patients

You may need extra postgraduate training in nuclear medicine.

With experience, you could become a senior practitioner. You could also work in research or advanced clinical roles.

Sonographer

Use sound waves to scan inside the body.

Sonographers use ultrasound to create live images of the inside of the body. These scans are often used in pregnancy, but also for organs, muscles and blood flow.

Responsibilities include:

• carrying out ultrasound scans
• examining unborn babies
• scanning organs and soft tissue
• writing detailed reports
• working closely with doctors
• reassuring anxious patients
• using specialist ultrasound equipment

You will need postgraduate training in ultrasound.

With experience, you could specialise in areas like cardiac or vascular scanning. You could also progress into consultant-level roles

Forensic Radiographer

Support criminal investigations with imaging.

Forensic radiographers use imaging to help with legal investigations. You may work on cases involving trauma, unexplained death or disaster victim identification.

Responsibilities include:

• taking post-mortem X-rays and CT scans
• working with police and forensic teams
• documenting injuries
• preparing evidence for court
• working in mortuaries or specialist centres
• following strict legal guidelines
• maintaining detailed records

You may need specialist forensic training.

With experience, you could move into senior forensic roles. You could also support international disaster response teams.

Veterinary Radiographer

Care for animals using imaging technology.

Veterinary radiographers take images of animals to help diagnose injury or disease. You may work in specialist animal hospitals or referral centres.

Responsibilities include:

• taking X-rays of small and large animals
• assisting with CT or MRI scans
• preparing animals for imaging
• working with veterinary surgeons
• monitoring anaesthetised animals
• maintaining imaging equipment
• ensuring radiation safety

You may need extra training in veterinary practice.

With experience, you could work in specialist referral centres. You could also move into teaching or equipment training roles.

As a graduate in Diagnostic Radiography from the University of Bradford, you meet the professional educational standards of this health profession and must register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to practise.