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How to become a clinical photographer
You’ll need an undergraduate degree in Clinical Photography to become a clinical photographer in the NHS. If you have an undergraduate degree in Photography, you can apply for a trainee opportunity and complete a postgraduate certificate in Clinical Photography to become qualified.
What is a clinical photographer?
Clinical photographers produce different types of images to support diagnosis and document changes in a condition over time. In addition to standard digital photography, other specialised imaging techniques include:
- dermoscopy
- ophthalmic imaging
- 3D imaging
They may also take photos and videos for teaching, research, publication, and medico-legal purposes.
Starting your career as a clinical photographer
Choosing subjects at school
School subjects that could lead to a career as a clinical photographer include:
- English
- Maths
- Administration and IT
- Photography
- Art and Design
- Graphic Communication
Speak to your guidance teacher or careers adviser about subjects offered at your school.
Work placements and volunteering
You may find it helpful to get some healthcare experience by doing a work placement or volunteering. You’ll get training, increase your knowledge, and learn new skills. This could help you when applying to college, university, or a new job with NHSScotland.
Education and training pathway
There are lots of different routes to becoming a clinical photographer.
Undergraduate degree programme
To become a clinical photographer, you’ll need an undergraduate honours degree in Clinical Photography at SCQF level 10. The degree programme must be accredited by the Institute of Medical Illustrators (IMI).
Vacancies for qualified clinical photographers are advertised on our recruitment website.
Widening access
Widening participation supports adult learners who want to go to university. If you’re an adult with few or no qualifications, you could get into higher education through the Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP). Many universities also provide access programmes to help you get the degree entry qualifications you need.
Clinical photography training programme
You can apply for a trainee post in the NHS if you have an undergraduate honours degree in Photography at SCQF level 10. You’ll then complete a postgraduate certificate in Clinical Photography at SCQF 11 on a distance-learning basis.
Training opportunities are advertised on our recruitment website.
Alternative route
Some clinical photographers start their careers as clinical photography assistants. You can apply for these roles with an HND in Photography at SCQF level 8.
You’ll find more information about SCQF levels on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) website. You can also search for college courses and university degree programmes on My World of Work.
Academy for Healthcare Science
The Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) maintains voluntary registers for healthcare science professions not covered by statutory registration and regulation. These registers are accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA).
When you qualify as a clinical photographer, you can register with the AHCS.
Get to know the role
Clinical photographers produce digital photographs to record and monitor a patient’s medical condition and assess the effectiveness of surgery or treatment.
As a clinical photographer, you’ll create images of patients and pathological materials using specialised techniques, including dermoscopy, IR and UV, and a range of diagnostic ophthalmic imaging processes.
Clinical photography can be intimate and personal for anyone.
Patients come from various ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds, and all need reassurance and understanding throughout the process. Photos and videos require informed consent.
Your images could be used in research and medical education to train other healthcare professionals and students.
You could also use your skills for product and public relations photography purposes.
Clinical photographers need these skills:
- caring
- collaboration
- communicating
- organisation skills
- problem-solving
- teamworking
You'll also need the technical skills for the role, including a good knowledge of digital photography, lighting techniques, image processing, and design trends.
You could work with:
- allied health professionals
- doctors
- nurses
- healthcare scientists
- surgeons
- communications and PR professionals
You could work in:
- hospital photography studio
- wards and clinics
- emergency department
- operating theatres
Learning and development
Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential for career development. It will help you keep your skills and knowledge up to date as a clinical photographer. You must also maintain your registration on the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) Accredited Register for Medical Illustrators.
Your CPD can include training courses and workshops or researching new imaging techniques.
Career progression
With experience, you could become a team manager or train other clinical photographers to use new imaging techniques or specialised equipment.
Clinical photographers can undertake academic research or move into teaching with an MSc or PhD in a relevant subject.
Professional bodies
When you become a qualified clinical photographer, you can join the following professional bodies:
Careers in healthcare science
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