Radiography Training: Internship
The purpose of an internship for radiography/medical imaging
graduates (including both diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy)
is to provide practical, hands-on experience that bridges the gap
between academic training and professional practice. The internship
ensures that graduates develop the clinical skills, professional
competencies, and confidence required for independent practice in
healthcare settings.
In many countries in Africa, the internship for radiography
graduates is a mandatory or supervised clinical training
period aimed at enhancing practical skills, ensuring professional
competency, and preparing graduates for independent practice.
Different countries have varying requirements, but the core
objectives remain similar.
Key Purposes of Internship in Radiography (Imaging & Therapy)
1. Clinical Competence & Skill Development
Diagnostic Imaging: Interns refine their skills in operating
imaging equipment such as X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and
fluoroscopy. They gain experience in patient positioning,
optimizing image quality, and radiation safety.
Radiation Therapy: Interns learn to operate linear
accelerators, plan and administer radiation doses, and work
with oncologists to ensure effective treatment delivery.
2. Patient Care & Communication
Enhances patient interaction skills, including explaining
procedures, ensuring comfort, and addressing concerns.
Develops teamwork and interprofessional communication
with radiologists, oncologists, physicists, nurses, and other
healthcare professionals.
3. Radiation Protection & Safety Compliance
Ensures adherence to radiation protection principles
(ALARA – As Low As Reasonably Achievable) for patients
and healthcare workers.
Educates interns on handling emergencies related to
radiation exposure and equipment malfunctions.
Strict adherence to radiation safety protocols as per the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and national
health regulations.
Ensuring optimal radiation dose management to protect
patients, workers, and the public.
4. Ethical & Professional Development
Application of ethical principles in radiographic practice,
including patient confidentiality, informed consent, and
professional integrity.
Understanding legal aspects of radiography, including
medico-legal documentation and malpractice prevention.
5. Licensing & Registration Requirement
In many African countries, completion of an internship is
mandatory for licensing and professional registration
with regulatory bodies.
Some examples:
o Nigeria: Internship required for registration with the
Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria
(RRBN).
o Kenya: Internship required for licensing by the Kenya
Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA) and
Radiation Protection Board (RPB).
o South Africa: Internship and professional exams are
needed for registration with the Health Professions
Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
6. Transition to Independent Practice & Employment
Internship provides opportunities for mentorship from senior
radiographers and radiologists.
Enhances job readiness by improving confidence and
technical skills before employment.
The requirements for radiography or medical imaging professionals
vary across countries, encompassing different durations of
academic training and clinical internships.
Initial Internship Internsh
Country Training Requireme ip Additional Notes
Duration nt Duration
Clinical
placements are
Yes
3–4 years Included embedded within
(integrated
Australia (Bachelor's in the degree
clinical
Degree) training program to
placements)
provide hands-on
experience.
China 3–4 years Yes Included Clinical internships
(Bachelor's (integrated in are part of the
Degree) clinical training curriculum,
Initial Internship Internsh
Country Training Requireme ip Additional Notes
Duration nt Duration
focusing on
training)
practical skills.
Practical training
Yes
3–4 years Included is included, though
(integrated
Cyprus (Bachelor's in a non-tertiary
clinical
Degree) training diploma is also an
training)
option.
Yes Clinical education
Included
3 years (integrated is embedded
France in
(Diploma) clinical within the
training
training) program.
A 3-year
apprenticeship
program qualifies
individuals as
3 years Included
'Medizinisch-
Germany (Apprenticeshi Yes in
technischer
p) training
Radiologieassisten
t', authorizing
independent
practice.
Yes Students engage
4 years Included
(integrated in clinical practice
Ghana (Bachelor's in
clinical as part of their
Degree) training
training) education.
Clinical practice is
Yes
3–4 years Included a substantial part
(integrated
Greece (Bachelor's in of the educational
clinical
Degree) training program.
training)
After a 4.5-year
medical degree
and 1-year
4.5 years internship,
India (Medical Yes 1 year specialization in
Degree) radiology requires
additional
postgraduate
training.
Initial Internship Internsh
Country Training Requireme ip Additional Notes
Duration nt Duration
After completing a
medical degree,
Yes (1-year
3–4 years specialization in
compulsory
India (Bachelor's 1 year radiology requires
rotatory
Degree) additional
internship)
postgraduate
training.
Radiographers
must register with
No (clinical
4 years CORU; clinical
placements
Ireland (Bachelor's N/A training is
during
Degree) integrated into the
degree)
4-year degree
program.
Medical graduates
complete a 1-year
internship,
6 years Yes (for
including rotations
Israel (Medical medical 1 year
in various
Degree) graduates)
specialties,
potentially
radiology.
Yes
3 years Included Practical training
(integrated
Italy (Bachelor's in is a core part of
clinical
Degree) training the curriculum.
placements)
3 years Clinical practice is
Yes
(Diploma) or 4 Included a significant
(integrated
Japan years in component of the
clinical
(Bachelor's training educational
training)
Degree) program.
Programs include
Yes
3–4 years Included clinical
(integrated
Malaysia (Bachelor's in attachments in
clinical
Degree) training healthcare
training)
settings.
Nepal 3 years Yes (for Duration Diploma programs
(Diploma) or 4 diploma varies include
years holders) internships;
Initial Internship Internsh
Country Training Requireme ip Additional Notes
Duration nt Duration
bachelor's
(Bachelor's programs have
Degree) integrated clinical
training.
4 years Internship is a
Netherlan Yes (clinical 6-12
(Bachelor in requirement for
ds internship) months
Radiography) graduation
The program
Yes includes
3 years Included
New (integrated substantial clinical
(Bachelor's in
Zealand clinical education to
Degree) training
placements) ensure practical
competence.
Completion of a 5-
year B.Sc. in
Radiography
followed by a 1-
5 years year compulsory
Nigeria (Bachelor's Yes 1 year internship is
Degree) required for
licensing by the
Radiographers
Registration Board
of Nigeria.
4 years
Internship period
(Bachelor of Yes
Philippine often includes
Science in (clinical 1 year
s specialized
Radiologic internship)
rotations.
Technology)
Practical clinical
Yes
3–4 years Included training
(integrated
Poland (Bachelor's in constitutes 20–
clinical
Degree) training 50% of the
training)
program.
Saudi 2-3 years Yes (clinical Included After initial
Arabia (Radiography experience in nursing education,
Program) during training a 2-3 year
program) radiography
program includes
Initial Internship Internsh
Country Training Requireme ip Additional Notes
Duration nt Duration
clinical
experience.
3 years Clinical education
Yes
(Diploma) or Included is incorporated to
(integrated
Singapore 3–4 years in ensure readiness
clinical
(Bachelor's training for professional
placements)
Degree) practice.
The curriculum
combines
academic study
with clinical
Yes practice
4 years Included
South (integrated throughout.
(Bachelor's in
Africa clinical Internship
Degree) training
training) required for
registration with
the Health
Professions
Council
Yes Students undergo
3–4 years Included
South (integrated clinical rotations
(Bachelor's in
Korea clinical as part of their
Degree) training
training) education.
3 years
Yes Programs include
(Diploma) or 4 Included
(integrated significant clinical
Spain years in
clinical practice
(Bachelor's training
training) components.
Degree)
3 years Includes clinical
Part of approx.
Sweden (Bachelor's in education as part
degree; 15 weeks
Radiography) of the program.
Clinical education
Yes
3–4 years Included is a key
Switzerla (integrated
(Bachelor's in component of the
nd clinical
Degree) training program.
training)
Thailand 4 years Yes 6 months Includes practical
(Bachelor’s in (internship) training in
Medical hospitals.
Initial Internship Internsh
Country Training Requireme ip Additional Notes
Duration nt Duration
Technology)
Practical clinical
training
constitutes 20–
Yes 50% of the
3–4 years Included
United (integrated program. An
(Bachelor's in
Kingdom clinical alternative 1–3
Degree) training
training) year post-
secondary
diploma is also
available.
Radiologic
technologists
2 years
complete a 2-year
(Associate Yes (clinical
Included associate or 4-
United Degree) or 4 experience
in year bachelor's
States years during
training program, which
(Bachelor's program)
includes clinical
Degree)
experience.
Note: The structure and duration of training and internships varies
significantly between countries, often influenced by local regulations
and healthcare needs.
Conclusion
Internships in radiography—both diagnostic imaging and
radiation therapy—are crucial for developing the technical,
clinical, and professional skills required for safe and effective patient
care. They serve as a bridge between academic knowledge and
hands-on expertise, preparing graduates for independent,
competent, and ethical practice in healthcare.
Country-Specific Internship Requirements in Africa
Initial Internship
Internship Regulatory
Country Training Requireme
Duration Body
Duration nt
RRBN
5 years (BSc Yes (Radiographers
Nigeria 1 year
Radiography) (Mandatory) Registration
Board of Nigeria)
HPCSA (Health
1 year (for
South 4 years (BSc Professions
Yes registration
Africa Radiography) Council of South
)
Africa)
RBK
3–4 years Yes
Kenya 1 year (Radiographers
(Diploma/BSc) (Mandatory)
Board of Kenya)
AHPC (Allied
4 years (BSc Health
Ghana Yes 1 year
Radiography) Professions
Council)
AHPC (Allied
3–4 years 6 months – Health
Uganda Yes
(Diploma/BSc) 1 year Professions
Council)
MRIPC (Medical
Radiology &
Tanzani 3–4 years
Yes 1 year Imaging
a (Diploma/BSc)
Professionals
Council)
4 years (BSc)
Yes Ministry of Health
Egypt + 1-year 1 year
(Mandatory) & Population
internship
4 years (BSc
Ethiopi Ethiopian Ministry
Radiologic Yes 1 year
a of Health
Technology)
Caesar Barare
21 February 2025
