radiography to sonography

4

hi, i’m going into doing a diagnostic radiography course for 3 years. i’d like to switch onto sonography after i graduate. will i be able to do a postgraduate degree in medical imaging immediately after graduating? or will i need years of experience before i apply. i’d like to know now so in 3 years time i’m not stuck. if i do need experience, how many years? and if not, do i need a specific grade? will i have less of a chance at getting a job as a sonographer if i dont have radiography experience?

Reply 1

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

22

Original post by jkddu

hi, i’m going into doing a diagnostic radiography course for 3 years. i’d like to switch onto sonography after i graduate. will i be able to do a postgraduate degree in medical imaging immediately after graduating? or will i need years of experience before i apply. i’d like to know now so in 3 years time i’m not stuck. if i do need experience, how many years? and if not, do i need a specific grade? will i have less of a chance at getting a job as a sonographer if i dont have radiography experience?

The following is the job profile for sonographer:
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/sonographer

will i be able to do a postgraduate degree in medical imaging immediately after graduating?
You will require to do a CASE qualified postgrad qualification (be it a PG cert or MSc). An undergrad in diagnostic radiography should be sufficient.

if i do need experience, how many years?
Depending on the individual course, you might need 2 years' work experience and placement.

do i need a specific grade?
Some places accept grades as low as 2:2, but as high as 1st class. If you don't want to limit your options, your degree should be at least a 2:1.

See the CASE directory in the following link (you will need to download the pdf): https://www.case-uk.org/course-directory/

will i have less of a chance at getting a job as a sonographer if i dont have radiography experience?
I can't answer that, especially when I don't work in the field.

Reply 2

HellomynameisNev

11

Original post by jkddu

hi, i’m going into doing a diagnostic radiography course for 3 years. i’d like to switch onto sonography after i graduate. will i be able to do a postgraduate degree in medical imaging immediately after graduating? or will i need years of experience before i apply. i’d like to know now so in 3 years time i’m not stuck. if i do need experience, how many years? and if not, do i need a specific grade? will i have less of a chance at getting a job as a sonographer if i dont have radiography experience?

Diagnostic Radiography is one of the traditional routes into Sonography. Be warned however it is very competitive - there are a limited number of slots, and you will be competing with other professions such as nurses, midwives and therapeutic radiographers. Most people will do a postgraduate diploma - if you're lucky (and good) your trust will fund this, otherwise you'll have to pay for it yourself.

Do not go into your DRad training telling everyone you want to be a sonographer, there's kind of a culture that you're expected to focus on x-ray through most of your training, and after you qualify you can then look at going into MRI/CT/Sonography.

I know 2 therapeutic radiographers who've done it. They both got 2/3 years experience (and their HCPC registration, as sonography is bizarrely not currently a protected title) before applying. One of them was coming in at weekends and volunteering in the sonography dept. to gain experience before she applied.

Reply 3

suki_suki

6

Original post by MindMax2000

The following is the job profile for sonographer:
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/sonographer
will i be able to do a postgraduate degree in medical imaging immediately after graduating?
You will require to do a CASE qualified postgrad qualification (be it a PG cert or MSc). An undergrad in diagnostic radiography should be sufficient.
if i do need experience, how many years?
Depending on the individual course, you might need 2 years' work experience and placement.
do i need a specific grade?
Some places accept grades as low as 2:2, but as high as 1st class. If you don't want to limit your options, your degree should be at least a 2:1.
See the CASE directory in the following link (you will need to download the pdf): https://www.case-uk.org/course-directory/
will i have less of a chance at getting a job as a sonographer if i dont have radiography experience?
I can't answer that, especially when I don't work in the field.

could i do a diagnostic imaging at uni then a sonography degree postgraduate?

Reply 4

normaw

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

19

Original post by suki_suki

could i do a diagnostic imaging at uni then a sonography degree postgraduate?

See post number 3 above. The most common route into sonography is an undergraduate degree in radiography, radiotherapy, nursing or midwifery, then several years of experience, and then a postgraduate diploma in sonography. There is a lot of competition for sonography places.

radiography to sonography

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