The Society of Radiographers has released three important documents to support the professional practice of members.
The three documents are entitled ‘Code of Professional Conduct’, ‘Scope of Practice’ and ‘Guidance on scope of practice for advanced practitioners and consultant practitioners’.
Each new document has been uploaded to the SoR’s policy and guideline library.
Charlotte Beardmore, the SoR's executive director of professional policy, said: "It is important for all members to read and follow the Society of Radiographers' Code of Professional Conduct, which has been updated to reflect the latest professional requirements.
"The Scope of Practice document outlines the scope of radiography practice within clinical imaging and oncology, as carried out by the professional workforce, with new guidance from the Society of Radiographers for advanced and consultant practitioners. This update is crucial as the number of practitioners at these levels continues to grow and diversify, ensuring safe and effective role implementation and practice is essential.
"The guidance acknowledges the evolving roles within the profession at advanced and consultant level. It includes information to aid safe and effective professional development and practice by advanced and consultant roles in imaging, oncology, and new settings which are backed by appropriate education, training and governance."
"I encourage all members to review these important documents to inform your professional practice."
What do the documents contain?
The Code of Professional Conduct sets out the Society of Radiographers’ expectations of the professional conduct of its members. Patient-centred care and patient safety are of foremost importance throughout. This document is for all members of the SoR, including students, trainees, support workers and the professional workforce. It applies to all settings and roles, including members who are practising at the practitioner, enhanced, advanced and consultant levels of professional practice.
Scope of Practice guidance applies to all radiographers working within clinical imaging and oncology. It describes the scope of practice expected across professional levels, covering practitioner, enhanced, advanced and consultant roles.
The 'Guidance on scope of practice for advanced practitioners and consultant practitioners’ document is a new document that provides additional guidance on the scope of practice for members working in advanced and consultant practice roles.
Today, there are increasing opportunities for members to undertake post registration education and training that allow them to practise safely and effectively in advanced and consultant practice roles. These roles include:
- Advanced and consultant practice roles that are within the primary scope of practice of radiography, in the fields of clinical imaging and oncology.
- Advanced and consultant practice roles that are outside the primary scope of practice of radiography, where the member undertakes other roles within health and care that require professional registration and draw on their professional background. These roles are sometimes referred to as ‘non-traditional’ roles and are often undertaken by professionals from a range of regulated professions.
This document provides up to date supportive guidance in navigating scope of practice considerations at advanced and consultant level and aims to help prevent and address any unnecessary or inadvertent barriers to practice that might arise. The guidance may also be useful for service providers and employers and for members who aspire to advanced and consultant practice roles.
The work to bring these documents to fruition has been commissioned and funded by NHS England. To find out more about this work and other funded projects, visit the SoR’s NHS England Professional Bodies Education Reform Commission hub page.
Those who wish to provide feedback on the documents are directed to email [email protected] and include NHSE PB ERC in the subject header.