Support worker
Support workers work under the supervision of registered healthcare professions in the diagnostic imaging team. Support workers are often called various job titles across different organisations, such as imaging support workers or imaging care assistants. Their role includes preparing patients for examinations, assisting with scans and therapies, maintaining the clinical environment and undertaking tasks such as updating records and booking appointments. Support workers are often the first point of contact for patients, and they provide reassurance to patients undergoing diagnostic imaging procedures. Support workers are key members of the multi-disciplinary team and provide essential support to diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers. Support workers will have good communication skills, be safety conscious and have a calm, reassuring manner. Opportunities for progression include Senior Support Worker.
You will receive all the training you need and may be able to study an apprenticeship or the Level 2 Certificate in Healthcare Support.
Radiography assistants and imaging support workers informationSenior support worker
Senior support workers work under the supervision of registered healthcare professions in the diagnostic imaging team. Senior support workers undertake delegated activities in line with a patient’s care plan. They will take on more responsibility than support workers and will often be responsible for training less experienced members of staff, mentoring and making decisions within their scope of practice. Senior support workers will be able to communicate effectively and maintain a healthy and safe working environment.
Opportunities for progression include Assistant Practitioner roles or Mammography Associate.
You will receive all the training you need and may be able to study an apprenticeship or the Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support.
Mammography associate
Mammography associates undertake routine mammography scans as part of their role. They are part of the breast imaging team and work with mammographers, radiologists and other professions as part of the multi-disciplinary team. As part of the examinations, mammography associates position the patient for the scan, operate the equipment and monitor the equipment’s performance. Mammography associates will work under the supervision of a registered healthcare professional.
To be a mammography associate, you will study a Level 4 qualification for Mammography Associates and this may be part of an apprenticeship.
Assistant practitioner – diagnostic radiography
An assistant practitioner (AP) in diagnostic radiography is a skilled healthcare worker who performs imaging examinations under the supervision of a registered radiographer. They are trained to take diagnostic images in areas like X-ray and fluoroscopy, adhere to established clinical protocols and provide patient care during procedures. This role bridges the gap between a support worker and a fully qualified radiographer, involving accredited education to perform specific clinical tasks within a defined scope of practice.
APs work as a crucial part of a multi-disciplinary team, delivering high quality patient care in imaging. Becoming an AP involves completing a Level 5 qualification, equivalent to a foundation degree or Diploma of Higher Education. This qualification can be part of an apprenticeship.
For further information, visit:
NHS Careers
