Radiographer

Job overview
X-rays, other radiation media or ultrasound are used in radiography for the detection and treatment of illness.

What do people do in this job?
Radiographers make use of complex and expensive equipment to produce images of the human body. ?They take X-ray photos of the body's internal structures and treat abnormalities, mainly cancer, with radiation.

There are four disciplines in radiography:-

Diagnostic radiography?
In this discipline radiographers position patients and record the relevant positions and functions of the various anatomical structures and organs of the body.

These recorded images enable doctors to make diagnoses of any abnormality seen.

Therapeutic radiography?
In this, radiographers treat disease, mostly cancer, by means of X-rays and other radiation, e.g. ?gamma rays from radium and cobalt-60.

They are also involved in the technical planning of the treatment, and patient care.

Nuclear medicine?
In this, radiographers use radioactive nuclides which they introduce into the body.

By means of radiation, organs in the body can be visually monitored and analysed so that doctors can make diagnoses.

Ultrasound
Radiographers specialising in ultrasound, use apparatus, which, by means of sound-waves, records images of soft tissue.

What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
Radiographers should have a strong sense of responsibility and sympathy and compassion for fellow human beings, acting calmly, systematically and effectively in emergencies.

They must be able to work together with other members of the medical team and maintain good interpersonal relations.

What qualifications are needed?
Radiographers are basically medically qualified, with the addition of specialist training in radiography.