Whether you are a diagnostic radiographer or future radiographer this article is intended for you if you are wondering which specialties you can specialise in radiography.
⚪What is a specialised radiographer?
⚪ What training do you need?
⚪What can you specialise in after acquiring your diagnostic degree.
I will base this article on my knowledge as a diagnostic radiographer and scientific studies to answer some of your questions.
Have any questions, remarks, or experience to share? Feel free to use the comments section at the end of the article!🙏
Last updated: May 2024. Written by Juliet Semakula, a certified diagnostic radiographer.
Disclaimer: no affiliate links. Good reading!😀
Reminder: all radiographers have some common initial base in training. (A diagnostic radiography degree or an apprenticeship training).
In the United Kingdom (as in all countries), diagnostic radiography training is always general. All diagnostic radiographers must obtain a general radiography training, without choices or specialties.
Some people do follow an apprenticeship training, but they will also have the same training as a degree level.
Universities in the United Kingdom do offer more training if you decide to acquire more specialised knowledge in a particular speciality even after you have completed your degree or apprenticeship.
To completion of the course Radiographers acquire jobs in general x-ray before deciding to specialise or acquire continuing education in other modalities within radiography. I will come back to it.
Remember: even if you aspire to specialise in a specific speciality in radiography such as computed tomography (CT) scan, you will have to complete the general course in radiography to obtain your degree qualification.
▶️Official diagnostic radiography specialities in the United Kingdom according to the HCPC.
In the United Kingdom, the Health care professions council (HCPC) is responsible by the government for supervising the profession.
The list of these modalities defined by the order is deliberately not limited, basically, everything is possible if it falls within the scope of radiography skills.
What can you Specialise in radiography?
Here are modalities suggested within radiography you can decide to specialise in after your degree.
Briefly I will outline what each speciality does.
1)General X-ray: Can be either still or moving images.
Radiographers perform a range of radiographic examinations on patients to produce high-quality images. They are responsible for radiation safety, including checking equipment for malfunctions and errors. manage referrals to ensure patients receive a radiation dose as low as reasonably possible.
2)Ultrasound (sonography): Images are captured in real-time during the scan, no radiation involved.
Radiographers specialising in ultrasound (sonographers) use independent judgement to produce high quality diagnostic information and optimise patient care. For example, they scan early pregnancy.
3)Computed Tomography (CT):Scan the whole-body organs.
A CT radiographer must be able to accurately interpret a doctors’ scanning instructions, administer contrast materials, prepare, and operate the CT scan equipment, and position the patient to capture the appropriate images.
4)Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Radiographers remove and then replace IVs and catheters for the MRI process and operate the MRI equipment to capture accurate images.
MRI technologists monitor patients during scanning. They also monitor equipment functions and ensure they capture clear images so doctors can provide an accurate diagnosis.
5)Fluoroscopy-produces moving images of an organ.
Fluoroscopy is commonly used to: Check how the stomach and intestines are working. Check if food is being properly swallowed and how the muscles of the mouth and throat are working.
Guide medical procedures to place catheters, stents, or other devices inside the body, such as in the heart or blood vessels.
Perform and interpret barium studies examinations to a high standard.
Radiographers can demonstrate competence in image interpretation and reporting on barium enema studies and HSG procedures.
6)Interventional radiography
Radiographers in IR undergo advanced specialist training and work alongside consultants and nurses to provide and control the imaging during minimally invasive image guided procedures.
They also perform many duties during procedures, they are responsible for positioning and imaging patients, resolving equipment issues, and demonstrating knowledge of human anatomy, radiation safety, interventional supplies, and equipment operation.
7)Mammography (Breast):An x-ray of the breast tissue.
A mammographer is responsible for using x-ray technology to get x-ray images of breast tissue, as requested by doctors to detect lumps or other abnormalities that signify the early stages of cancer or other diseases.
8) Nuclear medicine
Nuclear medicine radiographers perform tests for diagnosis and medical research. They prepare and give small doses of radioactive drugs (radiopharmaceuticals) to patients, then use high-level imaging equipment to record images of the radioactive material in the body.
Some of the equipment used by radiographers to take x-ray imaging.
That’s the brief outline of what each speciality does. In the near future I will be able to focus on each speciality in more detail.
Remember as radiographers we can specialise in whatever we want if it falls within our field of expertise, and follow the HCPC working guidelines.
Each of these specialties uses different kinds of technology while scanning and sometimes more independent training is needed to improve your knowledge and skills for better performance.
▶️When do you decide to specialise or acquire more knowledge in a particular speciality in radiography?
From my experience and from what I have seen other radiographers do. Usually after qualification most radiographers will work in x-ray for at least a year or more before they decide to specialise.
Usually when you are newly qualified, it is always right to acquire more general x-ray experience to build your confidence in working independently.
Remember you are no longer a student, here you are responsible to provide diagnostic images, understand the protocols and the different equipment.
Improve your communication skills with patients and staff, and your practical knowledge with all the procedures.
By the time you decide to specialise, you have decided which area of speciality you want to venture in, and you have the right experience to do so.
I worked in general x-ray for three years before I decided to specialise in interventional radiography. My decision was based on the passion I acquired when I was still a student.
I remember my dissertation was about procedures done in interventional focus on digestive system swallow.
So, remember choosing a speciality is usually a choice you make after you have acquired experience and made your own research where you want to be.
Some people are driven by the pay, but my advice is, let passion drive your specialisation because this money we can never make enough, patients are our first priority
I have also seen some radiographers specialise straight away, especially these working in private hospitals.
Whichever way you decide to take, let it be passion not pay. Because it will help you avoid such google searches cursing why you did radiography.
▶️ The advantages and disadvantages of specialising in a particular modality within diagnostic radiography.
I have been a diagnostic radiographer for 6 years and I have always preferred to have a general practice in general x-ray.
so, when I qualified, I decided to work in general x-ray for three years before I decided to specialise in interventional radiography.
After working in intervention for a year I decided to specialise in both general x-rays and interventional.
I will list the advantages and disadvantages that I see in specialising in a particular modality. This is a subject that we often discuss between radiographers.
Advantages in specialising in radiography.
1️⃣ Intellectual stimulation, improve clinical reasoning and knowledge in the modality you decide to specialise in.
Delving deeper into the subject matter is often a source of great intellectual satisfaction.
2️⃣Learning new technology for example if you decide to specialise in intervention, you will be able to train on the job on how to use the equipment.
3️⃣ Sometimes some specialties offer a 9 to 5 working schedule, which can be beneficial for some with families.
Remember not all specialties do offer that working partner and not everyone like a 9-5 working rote.
4️⃣Job stability, almost all specialties are in high demand in the United Kingdom.
5️⃣Some radiographers find the opportunity to work with patients and make their examinations more comfortable and very rewarding at the end of the day. Hoping this could be you.
After a few years of practising as a diagnostic radiographer, you may decide to specialise in one or two of these modalities.
Personally, I felt this, and I chose to specialise in general x-ray and interventional radiography.
One of the reasons, Is I wanted to keep my skills in general x-ray as well as acquire new skills in interventional radiography.
This has enabled me to create the body therapy concepts website (which you are on!) and becoming a content health writer.
Disadvantages of specialising in radiography.
1️⃣Cost of training.
If you decide to take more training in any speciality, it can be costly because you must pay for the training.
2️⃣Be ready to put in the hard work in training and learning different pathologies and protocols in any speciality.
3️⃣Sometimes it can be demanding, working long hours while standing or sitting which can result in muscle pains problems.
I think some of these disadvantages are experienced in most health care professionals.
Always mind about your self-care and mental health to avoid burnout during work, and know when to rest.
▶️What training should I follow to specialise?
Remember you must obtain your diagnostic radiography degree or equivalence to practise first.
It is only once you have a diagnostic degree that you will be able to follow any training to specialise.
Most of these specialties you do train on the job as you continually take other training on the subject matter to expand your skills and knowledge.it could be online or face to face training.
You must continuously update your knowledge in whatever speciality you are in, and this is called Continuing professional development (CPD) here in the UK.
If you decide to Specialise in ultrasound, CT, MRI, Interventional or mammography you may decide to take short course in the subject matter to enhance your practice by increasing your knowledge on different pathologies and safety issues in those modalities.
These short courses are offered by some universities or online training.
To be eligible you must be a HCPC Registered Radiographer in employment and have experience in working in those modalities, with possession of a BSc Hons in Diagnostic Radiography or appropriate professional qualification.
| Type of training (short courses)Online or face to face occasionally. | Duration depends on what you are studying. |
| Ultrasound | .Post graduate diploma 2 years part-time, often alongside a full-time job.. Post graduate certificate 1 year |
| Mammography | .Postgraduate certificate or diploma at level 7 that combines academic learning with clinical training for 1 year. |
| Computer tomography (CT) | . MSc part time 3 years. Post graduate Diploma 2 years.. Post graduate certificate 1 year part time.. Short courses: Completed in 10 weeks. |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (MSc/PGDip/PGCert. | .MSc part time 3 years. Post graduate Diploma 2 years.. Post graduate certificate 1 year part time |
| Interventional (PgCert) | .1-year part time |
| Nuclear medicine | . MSc part time 3 years. Post graduate Diploma 2 years.. Post graduate certificate 1 year part time |
Following one or more of these training courses will directly allow you to obtain a specialised radiographer position.
It will then be up to you to be proactive to put things in place (job search) to stand out to find a job because some specialities like ultrasound (sonography) are quite on a competitive side.
Also, different financing methods exist to finance the training partially or fully.
Some radiographers also decide to train in a less academic way, by documenting themselves through CPD. This was my case when I joined interventional radiography.
Every year HCPC radiography body will randomly choose any one on the register to submit their CDP file development over the years of their practice.
This helps to protect the public by ensuring that registered practitioners are up to date with the skills, knowledge, and attributes for safe, contemporary practice in the profession.
Using information from service leads in radiography across the UK, research has identified that advanced practice (specialisation) by diagnostic radiographers is widespread across the NHS, with diverse roles within all imaging modalities, including clinical reporting and procedure-based practice. (Woznitza,2021)
Remember all these specialties do have a lot of areas where you can train and become an expert.
For example, you can become a reporting radiographer, or you can train to do things like joint injections, Hysterosalpingography (HSG), sialo gram, nephrostomy exchanges! The list is endless.
You have reached the end of this article. I hope I have answered your main questions. I wish you will be in position to make a right decision for your career progression 💁
Questions, comments, additional information to share? See you in the comments!
These articles might also interest you:
⚫Working as a radiographer in the United Kingdom.
⚫Studying radiography in the United Kingdom.
📚Sources:
Woznitza N, Pittock L, Elliott J, Snaith B. Diagnostic radiographer advanced clinical practice in the United Kingdom – A national cross-sectional survey. BJR Open. 2021 Jun 24;3(1):20210003. doi: 10.1259/bjro.20210003. PMID: 34381947; PMCID: PMC8320111.