Andy Creeden

What is your current role?

I am an Advanced Practitioner Radiographer at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, specialising in plain film X-ray reporting. I report on chest, abdomen and musculoskeletal X-rays. My role also 
radiography within the inpatient, outpatient and emergency department plain film settings, as well as teaching and mentoring, audit, radiation protection, IT liaison and quality assurance.

How did you reach this position?

I qualified in radiography, obtaining a BSc (Hons) from the University of Liverpool in 1997. Following qualification, I worked in a variety of general radiography positions, both directly for the NHS and via an agency. I also spent two years working overseas in a developing country. The experience I gained in these roles allowed me to develop a broader and deeper understanding of radiography and its place within wider healthcare
systems. To obtain my current role, I undertook a postgraduate certificate in appendicular skeletal reporting at Birmingham City University. I have subsequently undertaken postgraduate courses in both axial skeletal reporting and chest and abdomen reporting. I then completed my master’s degree by undertaking a 20,000-word dissertation project.

What support have you had?

As one of the first two advanced practitioners in my department I was very lucky to have the support of forward-thinking managers, who ensured that the new role was planned, approved and funded before I even started training. This ensured that once qualified I was able to transition smoothly into my new role. While training I also received a lot of support from a number of radiologists and radiographers who took the time to mentor and encourage me. Throughout my work post-qualification, the ongoing support of many radiologists has been extremely valuable. Our growing team of advanced practitioners also provide excellent peer support, both from
a professional and personal point of view. 

What do you find most rewarding?

It’s great to be able to make a real difference to patients’ journeys. Identifying an injury or pathology and knowing that I have allowed the patient to get the right treatment or management is very satisfying. Completing a research or audit project or implementing a service improvement is also very rewarding since they have the potential to improve the experience or safety of future patients. However, I think I most enjoy sharing my skills with others. Whether through mentoring trainee reporting radiographers or radiology registrars, arranging CPD sessions for colleagues, teaching student radiographers at the local university or delivering workshops for other allied health professional (AHP) groups, it feels great to pass forward the knowledge that others have shared with me.

What advice would you give to someone moving into advanced practice?

just reporting, so seek to gain the widest possible range of experience in your early career. As your experience develops, try to place more emphasis on activities relevant to the four core pillars of practice: expert clinical practice; education; leadership and management; and research and development (including audit and service evaluation). Having a CPD portfolio that demonstrates that you are working in this direction will really count in your favour when a training opportunity comes up.

Consider activities such as shadowing existing reporters, completing elearning for healthcare image interpretation modules, undertaking a small service improvement project, delivering teaching or training sessions for colleagues or students, getting involved in an audit or writing for the Society of Radiographers’ Synergy and Insight publications. Most of all, get stuck into radiography and grab opportunities with both hands!