Rebekah Jones

What do you do in your current role/area of expertise? 

I am a HCPC registered Therapeutic Radiographer and recently moved into the academic setting as a Therapeutic Radiography Lecturer at Birmingham City University. I teach on both the BSc (Hons) and MSc (pre-registration) programmes. I am currently Module Lead for a Radiotherapy and Oncology module, incorporating my recent clinical skills into teaching and using VERT (a virtual learning environment to link theory into practice). I will soon be starting the Academic Professional Apprenticeship programme at Birmingham City University to obtain a PGCert in Higher Education and Advance HE Fellowship (FHEA).

My role extends beyond academia, to providing pastoral support as a Personal Tutor to Therapeutic Radiography students whilst at university and on clinical placements.

I am currently part of a project team at Birmingham City University working on a ‘Preceptorship in Radiography’ project commissioned by the Society of Radiographers through funding from NHSE, to establish profession specific recommendations for Preceptorship in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiography. With experience as a Preceptee and Preceptor in my previous clinical role, I am honoured to have the opportunity to work on this project and look forward to future opportunities for involvement in other research projects.

I am passionate to promote awareness of our profession through outreach events and enthusiastic to inspire future Radiographers. I have attended career events at High Schools and recognise the value of promoting our profession to younger students who may not have even started considering career options yet.

What steps did you take to get to this role? 

As a second year Therapeutic Radiography student, I undertook the role of a PASS (Peer Assisted Study Session) Leader, facilitating activity-based sessions with first year students in a collaborative learning environment; this is where my interest in supporting students really began. I qualified from Birmingham City University as a Therapeutic Radiographer with a First-Class Honours degree and post qualification I worked as a Band 5 Therapeutic Radiographer, later moving to a Senior Radiographer role. I expressed my interest in supporting placement students and completed a Supporting Students in Practice course through the University of the West of England to become a Practice Assessor.

I also became a Preceptor for newly qualified Radiographers undertaking Preceptorship; taking on this role further confirmed my passion to provide support to individuals and share effective practice. In June 2024 I joined Birmingham City University as a Therapeutic Radiography Lecturer, which enabled me to align my interest in supporting student education and desire to participate in research to support the development of the profession.

What support did you have along the way or would have been helpful to have had?

Taking the leap from working clinically to a full-time academic, I have received fantastic support from my line manager and academic staff across the faculty. I look forward to starting the Academic Professional Apprenticeship programme which will support my professional development as a Lecturer.

What is the most rewarding thing about your role?

Being in this role really allows you to see how student confidence and ability develops across the course; being able to contribute to this and creating a positive student experience is extremely rewarding. In particular, in my current role, having the opportunity to prepare and support first year (BSc) Hons students for their first placement in a Radiotherapy department is a privilege.

What advice can you give to others who might want to work towards this role or follow a similar pathway?

If you are passionate about becoming an academic, I would advise you explore the requirements for the role at various Higher Education Institutions as these can differ and as demonstrated from my experience, there are opportunities which will support you to work towards a PgCert in Higher Education.

Moving from clinical practice to a full-time education role is a huge decision, but if you are passionate about getting involved in student education then take whatever opportunities you can to support students/learners in the clinical setting.  Undertaking formal practice educator training will help develop your knowledge and skills in this area. Also explore potential visiting lecturer opportunities as this may also provide you with insight and act as a route into this career pathway.