Emma Dodd

What is your current role?

I’m Lead Practice Educator at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, where I take responsibility for all of our undergraduate student radiographers here on clinical placement, so my role includes managerial and pastoral skills. My role also extends to recruitment of qualified staff, and I have oversight of our local preceptorship programme to support newly qualified members of our team. I have completed a postgraduate certification in clinical education (PGCE) so that I can take an informed and measured approach to the learning opportunities that I provide.

I’m also a reporting radiographer. My job includes musculoskeletal, chest and abdomen plain film imaging and I also perform and report hysterosalpingogram examinations for patients on the fertility pathway. I’ve completed an MSc in advanced medical imaging and subsequent postgraduate modules to extend my reporting scope of practice. This increased skill set means that I’m well placed to support student and qualified radiographers in their day-to-day practice and commitment to lifelong learning due to the broad range of experience and knowledge that my role requires.

What did you do before?

Since qualifying in 2007, I have worked in all areas of general imaging, CT and MR and previously took the lead for our paediatric services. This rotational approach, coupled with my postgraduate further education, has given me a broad range of experience and meant I could bring an extended skill set to my role as an educator. This was supplemented with my PGCE and afforded me the opportunity to secure a post as a lecturer on both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at my local university.

What support have you had?

I have always been encouraged by line managers to push the boundaries and also to push myself to develop in all areas of my practice. I was also lucky that this approach was supplemented by the opportunity to complete formal qualifications at postgraduate level.

What do you find most rewarding about what you do?

Meeting student radiographers on day one of their practice placements and watching them grow over the course if their programme and study and then as qualified members of our team never fails to make to me smile. I feel privileged to be able to help them to find their path and navigate their way through formal education processes to a career that they can be proud of.

What advice would you give anyone thinking of a similar career?

Take every opportunity that comes your way and have as much self-belief as possible. Your style as an educator is fuelled by experience and this will inevitably change as your experience and confidence grows. Sometimes too structured a plan can inhibit your development and experience if you are not open to things that you may have never considered. Take a chance on yourself. There will be many people along the way who are keen to support your development.

Finally, be as creative as you can in your outlook on your career. This will shine through to those who will inevitably look to you as a role model.