Medical Illustrator
What is the work like?
Medical illustrators, also known as clinical photographers, produce photographs, videos and other graphical images for use in the healthcare sector. They also use their graphic design, editing and artistic skills to produce materials for medical lectures and conferences.
As a medical illustrator, your key duties would often include:
- clinical photography – using a digital camera or video to record a patient's condition
- taking photographs for use in monitoring the effectiveness of operations and treatments over a period of time
- using specialist equipment and techniques to capture 3-D images of structures like the eye, and to record specific procedures.
You might also produce artwork for educational posters, leaflets, publicity and corporate materials, annual reports, staff newspapers and organisations' websites.
With some employers, your work would involve:
- forensic photography (photographing non-accidental injuries)
- bereavement photography for grieving parents
- copying evidence from slides and x-rays
- using software to produce presentations
- creating overhead transparencies and other audio-visual materials for teaching and research purposes.
You would work closely with both healthcare professionals and patients in a range of settings around hospitals and university medical departments.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Many employers will prefer you to have a relevant foundation degree, BTEC HND or degree, plus a portfolio of images. Subjects such as clinical photography, medical illustration, photography, graphic design or video would be the best preparation for this work. Check with course providers for details of entry requirements.
You will improve your job prospects if you also have relevant work experience. Some courses include work placements or you could contact your local university or NHS Trust's medical photography department to arrange a visit or some work shadowing.
State Registration
This area of work is moving towards state registration, which is expected to require all practising medical illustrators to have an approved qualification (such as a degree or postgraduate award) plus registration with the Health Professions Council.
To prepare for this, CAMIP (Committee for the Accreditation of Medical Illustration Practitioners) has set up a voluntary register and membership is expected to guarantee acceptance onto the state register when it opens (this will not be before 2009).
To join the CAMIP voluntary register, you need one of the following:
- a BSc (Hons) degree in Medical Illustration or Clinical Photography
- membership of the IMI (Institute of Medical Illustrators) or BIPP (British Institute of Professional Photography)
- previous but lapsed membership of CAMIP
- experience in clinical photography, plus a qualification from the IMI, BIPP or Medical Artists' Association (MAA)
- experience in clinical photography, plus a qualification in general photography.
See the CAMIP, IMI and BIPP websites for details.
What further training and development can I do?
You will usually receive on-the-job training from your employer. You are also likely to be encouraged to join the CAMIP voluntary register, and study (on a part-time or distance learning basis) towards a qualification such as:
- (if not already held) a BSc in Medical Illustration or Clinical Photography and IMI membership
- a BIPP Medical Photography qualification
- the IMI Post Experience Certificate leading to full membership of the IMI
- a postgraduate or Masters programme run through the University of Wales College of Medicine in Cardiff.
See the IMI website for details of courses, membership and continuing professional development opportunities.
If you are interested in using traditional artistic media you can follow the Postgraduate Training in Medical Art programme delivered by the Medical Artists' Education Trust (MAET).
Where can I go for more information?
Tel: 08000 1508502 Amwell End
Ware
Hertfordshire
SG12 9HN
Tel: 01920 464011
Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0845 606 0655
Nottingham
NG1 4JA
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- The starting salary for a medical illustrator can be between £18,000 and £25,500 a year.
- With experience and relevant qualifications this can rise to around £32,000.
- A head of department in a university teaching hospital could earn around £40,000.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would typically work 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday, with the possibility of on-call duties and occasional overtime. Job-sharing and part-time hours may also be possible.
You could be based in a clinic, hospital ward, studio or operating theatre. You may occasionally be faced with unpleasant or upsetting situations.
Some NHS Trusts have a number of sites, so you may travel between buildings during the course of your working day.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- an interest in photography and other media
- artistic skills and ability
- an understanding of biology, anatomy and physiology
- some knowledge of diseases and their treatment
- self-motivation and the ability to work as part of a team
- empathy and a sensitive attitude for working with vulnerable patients
- experience of graphic design and desktop publishing software
- good written and spoken communication skills
- a responsible attitude to your work
- reasonable levels of physical fitness to carry heavy photographic equipment.
What opportunities are there?
You will find most jobs with NHS Trusts and university medical schools. You may also find work within research establishments, pharmaceutical companies, in the private medical sector and as a freelance illustrator.
To gain promotion or experience of specialist areas, you may need to relocate and the greatest opportunities tend to be within universities. Senior posts will usually include some managerial responsibilities.
If you specialise as a medical artist, you are likely to find most opportunities as a self-employed artist carrying out work commissioned by medical book publishers and model-makers.
Jobs can be advertised in the local press and Jobcentre Plus. You may also find the following links useful for vacancies and general reading: (links open in new window)
NHS Jobs
A-Z list of NHS Trusts
Institute of Medical Illustrators
British Journal of Photography
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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