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Home > Staff and Recruitment > Staff Resources > Allied Health Professions (AHPs) – Professionals Section

Allied Health Professions (AHPs) – Professionals Section

This is information for Allied Health Professions (AHPs) – an umbrella term used to describe a diverse group of health care professions.

Within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde there are 12 different professions who are known collectively as AHPs. More information and links to the Profession Specific webpages can be found in the below drop down boxes.

Art Therapies
Dietetics
Occupational Therapy
Orthoptics
Orthotics
Physiotherapy
Podiatry
Prosthetics
Radiography (Therapeutic)
What is Radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy is the use of radiation, usually x-rays, to treat cancer. Radiotherapy can be used to try to cure cancer, reduce the chance of cancer coming back or to help relieve symptoms. It is normally given in conjunction with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or surgery.

Radiographers

Radiographers are regulated professionals with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). They are entitled to hold one of the protected titles Radiographer, Diagnostic Radiographer or Therapeutic Radiographer. Radiographers undertake a broad portfolio of either diagnostic examinations or radiotherapy procedures. They work in partnership with team members, patients and carers to deliver care that may include screening, diagnosis, treatment or health monitoring for patients.

Health and Care Professions Council

To register, radiographers must hold a relevant BSc (Hons) or MSc qualification. To maintain registration with the HCPC Radiographers must undertake and keep a record of their continued professional development. In addition to HCPC standards, radiographers work to the standards of the Society of Radiographers code of professional conduct. The code includes expectations that radiographers act in accordance with values of respect, empowerment, empathy, trustworthiness, integrity and justice. Radiographers must always act with compassion: caring for patients is at the heart of what radiographers do.

Therapeutic Radiographers

Therapeutic radiographers are responsible for the planning and delivery of accurate radiotherapy treatments using a wide range of technical equipment. Accuracy is critical, for example, the aim of treatment may be to treat a tumour and destroy diseased tissue while minimising the amount of radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. Together both diagnostic and therapeutic radiography professionals provide essential services every year to millions of people.

Post Qualification

Radiographers follow career paths according to a combination of their personal interests and the needs of healthcare services and patients. Promotion opportunities are excellent, with a grading structure that sees the radiographer’s salary increase as they move along the career pathway. British radiographers are recognised as receiving excellent training with innovative career paths.

Autonomy

Therapeutic Radiographers are able to initiate resolution of problems and be able to exercise personal initiative

Therapeutic Radiographers recognise that they are personally responsible for and must be able to justify their decisions

They are able to make and receive appropriate referrals

They understand the importance of participation in training, supervision and mentoring

Therapeutic Radiographers are able to assess a professional situation, determine the nature and severity of the problem and call upon the required knowledge and experience to deal with the problem

They are also able to make reasoned decisions to initiate, continue, modify or cease radiotherapy treatment or diagnostic imaging examinations and record the decisions and reasoning appropriately

Advanced Practice

A growing number of Therapeutic radiographers undertake tumour site specific roles or specialist treatment roles (at both advanced and consultant level practice), where they are responsible for their own patient load from treatment referral, through treatment to post treatment follow up.

Multi-disciplinary Practice

Therapeutic radiographers take part in the multi-disciplinary approach to patient management by attending and participating in MDT meetings. This ensures continuity of care for patients across their cancer journey, with improved levels of care for all patients as well as efficiency benefits for the service.

Research radiographers

Therapeutic radiographers are also involved in clinical research at all levels. This ranges from recruitment to trials through to radiographer led research studies to evaluate the newer technologies and techniques as part of providing evidence based practice.

Radiotherapy Managers

Radiotherapy Service Managers are professional qualified managers responsible for the strategic delivery and planning of the service along with the day to day operational management of radiotherapy services. Their professional training and expertise is critical to the provision of safe and efficient radiotherapy services.

Image interpretation

Image interpretation and reporting by radiographers was initially established in ultrasound. This has now become firmly embedded within the scope of practice of therapeutic radiographers. They undertake image acquisition and interpretation utilising their advanced training in the decision making process.

Radiotherapy Information and Support Service

Having treatment for cancer can be a difficult time for anyone. You may benefit from talking to our Information and Support Radiographer.

They can provide information and support to help you while you are having your treatment.

They can provide:

·Support when you need it.

Give relevant and timely information on Radiotherapy treatments, side-effects and other relevant issues, particularly on how best to cope.

Explain and clarify medical terms.

Provide a confidential service to discuss any concerns or questions you may have regarding your treatment.

Refer you to appropriate professionals or services that may be of assistance to you/may help you.

Offer telephone support.

How you can get in touch

If you think you would benefit from seeing them, ask your Radiographers to contact them or you can phone them on 0141 301 7427.

Please leave a message and they will call you back as soon as possible.

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