Diagnostic Radiography (Top up)

This programme allows qualified assistant practitioners working in the field of medical imaging to progress their existing qualification to a full BSc Honours Degree in Diagnostic Radiography. They will then be eligible to apply to the HCPC to enter their register as a Diagnostic Radiographer. It is intended for assistant practitioners who have already achieved a relevant foundation degree and have completed an AP radiographer bridging course.

The applicant must be working in a medical imaging department with the full support of their employer to undertake this course.

Course Overview
Students will continue to work as an employee at their place of work while undertaking this programme, with time being allocated by their employer to allow them to meet necessary academic and clinical competencies. This includes a minimum of 20% 'off-the-job' training time to cover both university study time and clinical skills outside of the student's usual scope of practice.

On This Course You Will

• Gain knowledge and understanding of the continually changing and expanding field of medical diagnostic imaging.

• Learn in both academic and clinical settings with the support of expert practitioners and academics.

• Develop a professional attitude to the current working environment and an understanding of the dynamic and changing nature of clinical roles.

• Become a resilient, proficient communicator whose values are centred around effective and compassionate patient care.

• Further develop your ability to work as a critically reflective practitioner who engages in safe and effective practice.

YEAR ONE

• Applying Research to Enhance Professional Practice
  Evaluate the current state of knowledge or belief about a topic related to medical imaging.
• Focussed Radiological Practice 1 (Theory)
  Understand Advanced Practice within radiology and the generic skills and knowledge required for this role.
• Focussed Radiological Practice 2 (Work Based)
  Gain clinical skills and experience to enable safe and effective practice within a defined advanced area of radiology/medical imaging.
• Image Evaluation
  Attain the underpinning knowledge and skills required to undertake image evaluation and interpretation (consistent with first post competence) applied specifically to a given imaging modality.
• Applied Clinical Radiography
  Secure the knowledge, skills and competencies to apply for registration to the HCPC as a Diagnostic Radiographer and work as an effective professional practitioner within a variety of clinical settings.
• Preparation for Professional Practice; The radiographer in the wider context of healthcare
  Examine aspects of health care, the radiographer’s role in this and how it impacts on the quality of healthcare patients receive.

A variety of different assessment methods are employed to provide a valid evaluation of the particular skills, knowledge and behaviours described in the professional body standards:

• Image evaluation and pathology recognition are assessed by computer-based assessments in which you are required to view and discuss images.
• Your interpretation of complex clinical scenarios will be assessed via oral examinations which develop and challenge your ability to hold professional discussions with service users and colleagues in both the medical imaging sessions and the wider interdisciplinary context.
• The application of research module will challenge you to critically review practice and challenge poor practice within medical imaging and use the latest research and evidence in order to allow you to formulate persuasive arguments. This will enable you to make recommendations to enhance service provision and patient care.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Health and Care Professions Council
• Radiographers, College of