Careers in Medical Illustration

What is Medical Illustration?

Medical Illustration is a specialist profession supporting other healthcare professions within a medical environment. The area of expertise is made up of professionals called Healthcare Scientists who specialise in photography, graphic design, medical art or videography. Using their skills they produce resource materials such as photography and other graphic images for use in patient care, education and teaching. Working as part of the healthcare team, medical illustrators spend their time working with doctors, nurses, scientists and other professionals involved in delivering patient care.

Clinical Photographers

Clinical photographers are responsible for the daily recording of clinical conditions presented by patients, working in a photographic studio, clinic, ward or operating theatre environment. The images, taken with consent, can be used for diagnosis or just for recording a condition during the stages of treatment. Some of these images may be taken with specialised equipment to produce ophthalmic, ultra-violet, infra-red and 3D images. Sometimes medical illustrators are also required to undertake other photographic duties such as public relations photography, location photography, medical legal photography and creative studio work. 

Medical Graphic Designers

Medical graphic designers specialise in the design and production of artwork, scientific posters, brochures, patient information and other visual materials. They work very closely with individual staff, creating the visual images required, using computers and specialist design software packages. Web designers also work within this environment creating web sites for the Trust and various specialities.

Medical Artists

Medical artists are skilled artists who produce very detailed accurate anatomical illustrations and artwork for publication, teaching and research. They can use conventional art materials as well as computers and software packages.

Medical Videographers

Medical Videographers produce high quality video programmes for teaching, research and promotion.

What are the entry routes and qualifications required?

Clinical photographer. To qualify as a clinical photographer you will require a degree in clinical photography. If you already have a degree in another photographic discipline you can apply for a trainee position and then take a one-year graduate or post-graduate certificate in clinical photography whilst working. Either route will qualify you for professional membership of the Institute of Medical Illustrators (IMI) and entry onto the voluntary register run by the Council for the Accreditation of Medical Illustration Practitioners (CAMIP). This is essential for those who work in close contact with patients.

Clinical graphic designer / artist / web designer. It is recommended that you have a degree in design or another relevant media subject, although many designers with experience can enter the profession having worked in a commercial environment.

Videographers. It is recommended that you have a degree in video or photography. As videographers work with patients it is envisaged that they will be registered at some stage, and therefore should be looking to gain voluntary registration. Most videographers working with patients are qualified clinical photographers who have chosen to specialise in video production.

Who can provide the qualifications?

There are various university courses who can provide you with the necessary qualifications. Some of these require you to be in employment in order to undertake the courses.

Staffordshire University. Graduate and Post-graduate Certificates in Clinical Photography or Graphic Design in Healthcare – degree entry or relevant qualifications with experience. Students are required to be in relevant employment. This is a 12 month distance learning course for designers and photographers.

Cardiff University. Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Illustration – the course has two tracks, one for clinical photographers and the other for graphic designers. It is delivered as 14 month, part-time distance learning, with two study periods in Cardiff. For entry to this course, applicants must be practising within medical illustration and have a relevant degree. Starting in October every year, the Cardiff and Vale University Local Health Board employs two trainee clinical photographers on a two-year fixed term contract. During employment the trainees receive structured on-job training and undertake Cardiff University’s Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Illustration.

Westminster University. BSc (Hons) in Clinical photography – ‘A’ level entry for school leavers. This is a 3 year full-time course.

This information is correct at time of publication but please note that courses at these universities may change. It is therefore advisable to check with the universities directly. Further information on these courses can be found from the link on the right.

What about further training and development once I'm qualified?

Continuing Professional Development is an important part of being a professional in a healthcare environment, which the Institute fully supports and encourages with its own CPD programme. The Institute also offers training courses, regional meetings and an annual conference. These often link up with other professional associations to provide a wide range of professional training activities.

Further information can acquired through the IMI careers advisor Jill Bradbury.
Please put ‘career advice’ in your e-mail subject box.

Information on other careers in the NHS can be found at: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk