What do you do in your current role/area of expertise?
I participate in a wide range of engagement opportunities, such as open days, World Radiography Day and widening participation events across London. I collaborate with clinical stakeholders to organise visits to departments for prospective students and maintain a close working relationship by visiting my Link clinical site by visiting regularly and listening to feedback from the teams. I ensure all my teaching is evidence based and relevant by actively participating with clinical study days, conferences and Society of Radiographers (SoR) working groups. I use my advanced clinical experience to inform my teaching materials and keep up to date with clinical service drivers, seeking out opportunities to work clinically where possible as well as maintaining my College of Radiographers (CoR) Practice Educator Accreditation (PEAS). I have implemented journal clubs, lunch and learn sessions and engaged with key stakeholders beyond the radiotherapy department to increase opportunities available to Therapeutic radiographers and increase the accessibility to research projects.
In both my clinical education role and now my academic role I facilitate learning opportunities for pre-registration learners and help individuals with their reflective practice. I promote a positive learning experience listening to feedback from learners, supervisors and by exploring key features of the HCPC standards as well as the CoR Education and Career Framework (ECF). From this feedback I create training resources in collaboration with clinical supervisors, and other Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) to promote interdisciplinary team working and consistent training standards across multiple departments in a trust as well as across multiple care providers. I promote a positive mentoring culture which helps build team-work skills and empower peer learning which is a vital component to create an inclusive and positive clinical environment.
I demonstrate leadership skills by promoting lifelong learning and as well as leading a team clinically in my previous role as a senior radiographer. I have experience of leading staff appraisals, carrying out interviews for undergraduate students and representing the profession at a range of SoR events and staff side meetings as a previous SoR union learning rep. I lead by example with my CPD ensuring that I have evidenced my practice, striving to better the radiotherapy service and effectively mentor staff, as well as carrying out personal tutor responsibilities to support students in a challenging academic setting.
What steps did you take to get to this role?
I entered the Radiotherapy world through clearing following A-level studies, (after a suggestion from my Mum who was a former Therapeutic Radiographer). I was engaged with education from the start of my career, involving students in my dissertation and then by volunteering for World Radiography Day events in my Trust. I took opportunities to supervise and mentor students in the clinical setting which led me to apply for a role as a cross-site practice educator at the Royal Marsden where I supported this practice by completing a post-registration MSc module in Healthcare Education. As I progressed through my career I took further courses in mentoring, coaching skills and conflict resolution. I have developed in my role through undertaking various other activities for example, I designed training tools for post-registration learners on ‘recognition and prevention of RT errors’ and led on the first Cyberknife S7 unit in the UK.
I engaged with our partner Higher Education Institution’s (HEIs) in-house training programme for assessments and interview processes which helped build key relationships to then be able to guest lecture when I had built up significant clinical experience.
Currently I am on a secondment with City, St. George’s University of London as a lecturer within the Therapeutic Radiography and Oncology academic team. Through this opportunity I am completing a PgCert qualification taking modules in supporting students, professional and personal development planning, learning teaching and assessment- plus I have recently completed my module in curriculum development and evaluation. This learning and development has supported my recent CoR PEAs re-accreditation application.
What support did you have along the way or would have been helpful to have had?
I have had excellent support from experienced clinical educators and academic radiographers and found engaging with the SoR at regional rep meetings to be particularly useful.
I believe there needs to be further input by the SoR to promote radiotherapy educators as an advanced role to due to high level of interpersonal, leadership and technical skills required. This would apply more pressure on Trusts to invest in dedicated FTE roles which are proven vital for successful, meaningful clinical learning.
What is the most rewarding thing about your role?
The most rewarding aspect is when you see a learner begin to apply their theory to practice and gain the confidence to problem solve on-set and the joy when they are successful in getting their first entry-grade role.
What advice can you give to others who might want to work towards this role or follow a similar pathway?
- Get your clinical experience, don’t rush, the more you learn on set technically and from listening to patients, the better informed you will be to progress in your career.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn yourself.
- Use your appraisals to highlight training courses or study days that will help your development; particularly communication skills development.
- Engage with your local HEI and SoR, take the opportunities to collaborate with colleagues from different organisations whether that is guest lecturing, helping with assessments or presenting to your own department.