Sam Penry

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

I teach on the pre-registration BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography and post-registration MSc Radiography (Computed tomography) programmes. However, I have also taught on other programmes across the School, including the foundation programmes.

My primary areas of subject expertise include trauma, computed tomography, contrast agents and image interpretation (preliminary clinical evaluation (PCE) writing).

I am the link-lecturer for students based at the Whittington NHS Trust, a personal tutor (where I provide pastoral and academic support), a module leader, an examiner (where I create and mark formative and summative assessments), a research supervisor and mentor. I have also been involved in curriculum design and have developed innovations in learning, teaching assessment. I typically teach class sizes of around hundred students, but this can vary for example when I am leading on workshops and small-group teaching sessions at the university.

In addition, to my full-time role, I am the departmental Lead for Employability (Radiography) at the university. I am also an external examiner (diagnostic radiography) at the University of Liverpool, a regular peer-reviewer for the ‘Radiography’ journal and an expert reviewer for Cancer Research UK.

I have been very fortunate to receive more than 10 awards and commendations for my work in radiography and education.

What steps did you take to get to this role?

After graduation, I began my journey as a diagnostic radiographer at Mid and South Essex Hospitals NHS Trust in Chelmsford, where I worked for many years, taking on a number of roles and responsibilities. Whilst working full time, I became the learning representative for the Society of Radiographers in 2012 to 2015. This role allowed me to promote a learning culture, develop new skills and knowledge and support both qualified radiographers and student radiographers.

Over the years, I held a number of teaching sessions (for students and staff) and created a series of teaching resources for the department to support others. This included material on CT, PiCC lines and literature searching. I was also fortunate to write the NHS Trust Policy on IV contrast media and train radiographers in the use of peripherally inserted central catheters and midlines.

In 2016 I completed a PGCert at University College London, where I undertook MSc modules in health leadership, evidence-based practice and research. Using the skills that I had acquired, I published articles on computed tomography (CT) across topics including Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Trauma Imaging of the Severely Injured Patient (SIP). I also a performed a number of literature reviews, one of which led to the recommendation and creation of a new national standard for the radiopacity of enteral feeding catheters. Prior to my work on this, I had found that some radio-opaque Nasogastric (NG) tubes did not sufficiently show up on chest radiographs making interpretation difficult and at times, impossible. My work in radiography and education, resulted in a becoming “UK Radiographer of the Year” in 2017, having been nominated by my colleagues which I am truly grateful for.

Whilst predominately working as a Computed Tomography (CT) specialist within the radiology department, I later joined a project to become the first diagnostic radiographer to coordinate the Multi-Disciplinary Diagnostic Centre (MDC) for the ‘vague symptoms cancer pathway’ in the UK. This role allowed me to monitor referrals, independently perform patient consultations, put patients onto the pathway, request and perform CT imaging, organise and discuss patients at MDT meetings and give patients their results. This innovative project helped identify cancer at an earlier stage to improve early diagnosis, treatment and patient prognosis.

My passion for teaching led me to the university, where I have worked since 2018. I completed a postgraduate master’s degree in teaching and learning (Higher education) and held roles including programme director, practice education lead (For diagnostic radiography) and was the admissions tutor for both diagnostic and therapeutic radiography for a number of years.

I have also contributed to the radiography profession, as an Academic Review Panel Member (For Clark's Positioning in Radiography Textbook) and helped in the development and validation process for the 'Access to HE Diploma - Radiography' qualification, as a validation panel member for gateway qualifications.

In 2023 I became a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Advanced HE) which recognises professional standing and expertise in teaching and learning. This includes the ability to lead and influence the learning and teaching practices of others, who teach and support high-quality learning.

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

As a student I was inspired the radiographers that taught me, both at my placement site and at my university. I am eternally grateful for all of the support that I have had from my former colleagues at Mid and South Essex Hospital NHS Trust – Chelmsford and my team at City, St George’s University of London.

A particular thanks to my students both present and past, as I have also learned through their voices too. The SCoR has also been a fantastic source of support to me. I have been able to network with colleagues across the UK, access guidance and keep up-to-date with the latest developments. Being able to disseminate my work has also been a great way to build confidence.

What is the most rewarding thing about your role?

Being able to be play a part of shaping the future radiography workforce and making a positive impact.

Seeing students transition into confident, knowledgeable radiography practitioners. Many of which, have gone onto do amazing things within the profession and are themselves inspiring the next generation of diagnostic radiographers.

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

Stay up to date, with your continuing professional development. Grab any opportunities that come your way that be relevant to your achieving your goals. Support the radiography students that you may already be working with in the department, as this can also build your skills and development. This can also benefit the wider department and importantly, the patient.