How to become a medical illustrator

Medical illustrators produce photographs, video and graphic images used in treatment and training. To get in you normally need a degree in a relevant subject such as photography, graphic design, illustration or film production, then a trainee post in a healthcare setting. The National Careers Service gives typical pay of £32,000 for a starter to £42,000 with experience, over 37 to 42 hours a week that can include being on call on a rota.

What the job covers

The National Careers Service lists a wide spread of tasks. You record a patient’s condition with a digital camera or video, photograph the effects of operations and treatments, and capture 3D, infrared and ultraviolet images with specialist equipment. You also produce anatomically correct drawings and illustrations, work with departments such as dermatology, dental and ophthalmics, create resources for teaching and research, and produce images and artwork for printed and online publicity.

Some of the work is hard. You may photograph non-accidental injuries in forensic photography, and you may provide bereavement photography services for grieving families. The National Careers Service notes that the working environment may be emotionally demanding. You could work in an NHS or private hospital or in a photographic studio, and you may need protective clothing.

Degree and trainee posts

The degree subjects named are photography, graphic design, illustration, art and design, and film or video production. University entry typically needs two or three A levels or equivalent. After the degree you can apply for a trainee medical illustrator post in a healthcare setting. As a trainee, you could take a postgraduate qualification to specialise in clinical photography, graphic design for healthcare or medical art.

Other ways in

If you already work in healthcare and hold a relevant degree, you can apply for a postgraduate qualification in medical illustration and art. Another start is as a medical photography assistant. The National Careers Service says you will usually need a photography qualification at A level standard or higher and skill with image processing and editing software. Our guide to healthcare science assistant jobs covers a different support route in the NHS, and the guide to NHS jobs without a degree lists other entry points.

Registration

There is no compulsory register. The National Careers Service says you could register with the Academy for Healthcare Science to demonstrate your professional skills and competence. The Institute of Medical Illustrators offers professional recognition, training opportunities and industry contacts.

Improving your chances

The National Careers Service says medical illustration is small and specialised with a lot of competition for vacancies, and that relevant work experience improves your prospects. It suggests contacting your local university hospital or NHS trust’s medical photography department to arrange a visit or some work shadowing. Our guide to hospital work experience covers how to ask, and our guide to the NHS supporting statement covers how to present your experience in a written application.

Progression and pay

With experience you could become a senior or lead medical illustrator or move into management, and with further study into research or teaching. The pay range above is typical, not a fixed scale. NHS employers grade posts on Agenda for Change and show the band on the advert, so compare it with our NHS pay bands guide. The take-home pay calculator shows what a salary leaves after tax. Healthcare science roles such as the clinical scientist follow a separate training programme.