Radiographer in the United Kingdom
HCPC registration is commonly required; patient safety, radiation governance, and credentialing matter.
Short candidate portrait
- You are safety-led: patient ID, contraindications, radiation governance, and documentation are non-negotiable.
- You communicate clearly with anxious patients and can de-escalate in a clinical environment.
- You stay precise under time pressure: positioning, protocol adherence, and image quality checks.
Registration & credentialing (what employers expect)
- Registration status or a clear plan and timeline to obtain registration.
- Training/competency evidence aligned to the modality and scope of practice.
- A structured CV that explains setting, responsibilities, and safety routines.
- Readiness for regulated-role checks and onboarding requirements (varies by employer).
Work conditions in the UK (practical)
- Paid holiday: statutory minimum is 5.6 weeks/year (28 days for a 5-day week), contract may offer more.
- Breaks: if you work more than 6 hours/day, you are entitled to at least a 20-minute rest break; daily rest rules apply.
- Rota patterns: many departments run extended hours; nights/weekends may apply.
- Pay enhancements: some employers apply additional payments for unsocial hours under NHS terms (contract-dependent).
Role scope (make this clear on your CV)
Pay (gross / brutto) — realistic reference
Many UK Radiographer roles in the NHS follow Agenda for Change pay bands. A practical gross reference is: Band 5 £31,049–£37,796, Band 6 £38,682–£46,580, Band 7 £47,810–£54,710 per year (level-dependent).
- Gross hourly equivalent: ~£15.92–£28.06/hour (based on 37.5h/week)
- London weighting / local supplements: may apply in some areas (employer-dependent)
- Unsocial hours: enhancements may apply depending on rota and contract
Typical responsibilities (Diagnostic / Therapeutic — role dependent)
- Prepare patients, confirm identity, explain the procedure and obtain cooperation (within local policy).
- Operate equipment safely; follow protocols and document accurately.
- Apply safety controls and quality checks; repeat prevention and escalation where required.
- Coordinate with the team to maintain patient flow without losing governance controls.
- Maintain records, QA routines, and readiness of the room/equipment.
Requirements (detailed)
- CV in English (mandatory).
- Professional registration is typically required (or eligibility to register).
- Modality competence relevant to the vacancy and evidence of safe practice.
- Documentation discipline, patient identification, and effective escalation.
- Comfort with clinical workflow systems (RIS/PACS) and basic IT.
- English communication level suitable for clinical safety and handovers.
- Ability to work a rota pattern (role dependent).
What to include on your CV (to avoid rejection)
- Diagnostic vs therapeutic pathway (state clearly).
- Modalities, protocols, and systems used (RIS/PACS).
- Safety routines: patient ID, contraindication checks, incident reporting, QA.
- Workload context (setting, list type, throughput) and any leadership tasks.
FAQ (UK Radiographer)
Is HCPC registration required for Radiographer jobs in the UK?
Most UK roles expect professional registration or eligibility to register. Employers also assess your scope of practice for the relevant modality.
What pay is realistic (gross / brutto)?
Many NHS roles follow Agenda for Change. A practical gross reference is Band 5–7 depending on seniority and specialism. Enhancements may apply for rota patterns (employer-dependent).
Do Radiographer roles include nights and weekends?
Often yes, depending on the department. Imaging services frequently operate extended hours; some roles include on-call.
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