Clinical technologists are healthcare scientists working across a range of clinical and healthcare settings, including NHS hospitals, private healthcare, academic institutions and the medical device industry.
The practice of clinical technologists is broadly divided into two areas: medical physics and clinical engineering. They work across the following disciplines:
- Medical physics
- Nuclear medicine
- Radiotherapy physics
- Radiation physics
- Clinical engineering
- Medical engineering
- Radiation engineering
- Rehabilitation engineering
- Renal technology
- Sonography
- Clinical computing
For some clinical technologists, their roles involve direct contact with patients, including performing invasive or complex procedures, making clinical interventions, and exercising judgement that can significantly affect patient health and welfare. For others, their role may involve working ‘behind the scenes’ preparing treatments such as radioactive injections or looking after specialist medical devices. However, their impact on patient care and outcomes cannot be ignored or underestimated. Furthermore, as the role of clinical technologists is not regulated by statute, it is not compulsory for them to be listed on a register.
A scope of practice statement describes the attributes that would be expected from a newly qualified clinical technologist at the point of registration. For more information, you can download the current Scope of Practice document here.
If you would like any further information on the benefits and limitations of a specific scope of practice, please get in touch.
The Registrar
The Register of Clinical Technologists
Fairmount House
230 Tadcaster Road
York
YO24 1ES
Tel: 01904 550500
enquiries@therct.org.uk