Medical Photographer(specialism of Medical Illustrator)

Do you want to become a Medical Photographer(specialism of Medical Illustrator)? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Medical photographers provide a wide range of photographic services to staff working in the medical field. They provide these services for a number of purposes:

Patient care - taking still photographs of patients, usually by digital photography, to help diagnosis and to track and record the progress of treatment. They also use more specialist techniques, such as ultraviolet and infrared light photography. They may use video, particularly to illustrate the problems a patient is having with movement.
Medical education - taking photographs or videos of medical procedures, eg of surgical operations, to provide teaching materials.
Medical research - using techniques such as microphotography and photogrammetry to document records.
Medical publishing - taking photographs of medical conditions and surgery to illustrate medical textbooks, journals, reports, prospectuses and information leaflets.
General - taking publicity photographs for publications such as hospital newsletters and annual reports.

The use of computers is important for creating and manipulating images. Medical photographers work closely with healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses and other clinical staff. A lot of their work also brings them into contact with patients.

Medical photographers usually work 37 hours a week, from Monday to Friday. Work is carried out in studios, operating theatres and clinics, and on wards.

Salaries range from at least £12,815 a year for trainees, to over £40,000 a year for heads of department in teaching hospitals or medical and dental schools. During 2005, National Health Service (NHS) staff will move onto a new pay structure called 'Agenda for Change'.

A medical photographer should:

be creative and imaginative, with excellent photographic skills
be able to deal with patients confidently and put them at ease
not be squeamish
be interested in medicine and human anatomy.

The number of medical photographers in the UK has remained fairly stable over the past few years. Most work in NHS hospitals or university medical and dental schools. A few work in research establishments or on a freelance basis.

Most entrants have a BTEC higher national diploma (HND), foundation degree or honours degree in photography. Many prepare for these qualifications by studying a BTEC Diploma in Foundation Studies (Lens-based Media). For more general information about becoming a medical photographer, see Medical Illustrator. Medical photographers will soon need to be state registered as clinical photographers, probably in late 2005.

Medical photographers start as trainees and usually work towards a qualification. Those who enter without a degree usually study by distance learning for Glasgow Caledonian University's BSc in Medical Illustration. Alternatively, they may study for the Qualifying Examination of the British Institute of Professional Photography.

Those with a degree in photography study for the Institute of Medical Illustrators' Post Experience Certificate by distance learning, or Cardiff University's Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Illustration.

Experienced medical photographers may develop their expertise in one specialist area of work. It is possible to become head of a department.

Further information

British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP), Fox Talbot House, 2 Amwell End, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 9HN. 01920 464011. Website: www.bipp.com (opens in a new window)