Jo Posnett

What is your current role?

I am the Deputy Head of the Allied Health Professions Department at Sheffield Hallam University. My job is to support the head of department by leading on the operational aspects of the management of the department and providing a strategic link between the department head and operational academic groups responsible for the implementation of the teaching, learning and assessment strategy.

What steps did you take to reach this position?

I qualified with College of Radiographers (CoR) diploma in therapy radiography and as part of my interest in education I then completed an MSc in healthcare education. In fact, I was the first accredited practice educator for radiotherapy. I had a responsibility for staff development while in a superintendent radiographer post and I created educational packages around new software and use of new kit, including developments in imaging.
I then moved into a split educational post, initially with Leeds University and the radiotherapy department, covering support and teaching of the undergraduate provision.

After first applying unsuccessfully for a lecturer position at Sheffield Hallam University, I was appointed to a full-time professional development facilitator role there and then became a full-time lecturer, taking various roles, such as module leader, clinical lead and course leader. When I was made a team leader in the radiotherapy team, I became more interested in people management. I was appointed subject group leader for radiotherapy and oncology and then successfully applied for an interim deputy head of department role for allied health professions. This covers eight professional areas, with responsibility for the undergraduate and pre-registration MSc portfolio plus additional management, including work planning, staff CPD and quality.

What support have you had in your career?

I was lucky to have very supportive managers; they were forward thinking and supported opportunities for my role development. I have also been on various leadership courses that aided my skill development during my career. Peer support has also been important, acting as a sounding board for my views and ideas and  considering how to manage tricky issues, this helped me develop and recognise my own skills. Many of the modules and programmes I ran focused on personal and professional development, which also helped me in my role, managing students and then staff. Exposure to a range of people in leadership roles (clinical and academic) was really important in shaping how I manage and approach projects and issues.

What do you find most rewarding?

I still have a passion for radiotherapy specifically but also for all allied health professions because I believe that it is a privilege to work with patients. Now I see my role as looking after and leading in education to ensure that the staff can do their roles to the best of their ability. This allows them to create a fantastic student experience, and this results in practitioners who provide high quality, safe and compassionate care for the patients and their carers, I see my role as still having an impact on the patient. I enjoy problem-solving and supporting or helping staff to develop and I get satisfaction from helping staff meet their full potential alongside improving the workplace setting. I enjoy looking at different ways of learning, teaching and assessment and particularly working with clinical colleagues around the practice-based education for students. I enjoy being able to remove barriers where I can so that staff and students have the same opportunities that I did.

Do you have any advice for others considering similar career progression?

Moving from the NHS to education is a big step so I think you need to be sure this is what you want. I would suggest that you get involved in student education in clinical practice and build up your teaching experience.

Look for opportunities to deliver teaching in the university setting, in specialist or associate lecturer positions. This allows you to test the environment before making that full commitment. It is helpful to complete your post graduate study (Masters), even if jobs are not always being advertised, it is good to be ready and be slightly
ahead of other candidates. Speak to people in those roles, see when the next recruitment round might happen and be prepared.