Education and training

Entry to the accredited Register of Clinical Technologists (RCT) is through a formal application process which is assessed against a strict set of criteria. Each applicant must demonstrate that they meet the standards by successfully completing an agreed training scheme (the ‘primary route’) or by demonstrating equivalence (the ‘equivalence route’).

The standards for entry via the primary route are contained in the:

• Scope of Practice which list the specialised tasks which the technologist must be competent to carry out
• Approved Education and Training for those following the primary route to registration

The standards for entry via the equivalence route are contained in the:

• The RCT Equivalence Standards – Engineering or
• The RCT Equivalence Standards – Physics and
• Good Scientific Practice

Approved educational programmes

There are specific training schemes for clinical technologists and the RCT currently has two approved training scheme providers:

• Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM)
• Association of Renal Technologists (ART)

The educational programmes listed in the table below directly support the two approved training schemes. Other routes into the training scheme are available to those with existing relevant science or engineering qualifications. To achieve RCT eligibility it is expected that, in addition to successfully completing the educational programme, a workplace competency programme administered by IPEM or ART will also be successfully completed.

Course	Course type	Subject areas	Training scheme provider
Castle College Nottingham / De Montfort University Leicester	Vocational Degree	Nuclear Medicine Radiotherapy Physics Radiation Physics	IPEM
Coventry University	Vocational Degree	Rehabilitation Engineering	IPEM
Coventry University	Graduate Diploma	Rehabilitation Engineering	IPEM
Swansea University	Vocational Degree	Nuclear Medicine Radiotherapy Physics Radiation Physics	IPEM
Salford University	Post Graduate Diploma	Nuclear Medicine	IPEM
Bradford University	Modular Short Courses	Renal Technology	ART

Additional training programme approved through IPEM training scheme:

MSc Radiotherapy Physics (Dosimetry Pilot) Early Implementer Practitioner Training Programme (London)

Approved Practitioner Training Programme (PTP)

The RCT also recognises the Modernising Scientific Careers (MSC) Practitioner Training Programme (PTP) as a route to registration and, as such, the degree courses and their associated workplace training programmes are also recognised for registration purposes. For up to date MSC accredited courses and information click here.

If you require any further information please contact the Registrar.