Kelly Burns

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

Within my current post I am the practice educator facilitator (PEF) for general imaging as well as an MSK plain film reporting radiographer at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, NHS Grampian. As the general PEF I facilitate in developing and maintaining the training needs of all members of the radiographic team. I take the lead role for the induction of newly qualified members of staff which includes training and preceptorship programmes. As the preceptorship programme is relatively new to our department I have initially become a preceptor for new members of staff, supporting them on an individual basis, to help their transition into the culture and practice of the workplace. It is hoped that in the near future other team members will be supported to take on the role of the preceptor.

I work closely with universities, providing additional site visits for pre-registration student radiographers to assist with module completion. In doing so, I support the practice education team within the general imaging department to provide an effective learning environment for the students.

I also take an active role in promoting the profession and encouraging recruitment into the profession through attendance at careers fairs, as well as facilitating and supporting those on work experience placements. 

I support all learners within the workplace, from pre-registration level through to staff post-registration learning and development. This not only supports the development of knowledge and skills within the department but also aims to encourage staff retention.

I take the lead in teaching and improvements for image acquisition and assist with the development and implementation of policies and procedures within the general departments. Within my role I hold teaching sessions which can include protocols, image acquisition and adaptive technique and have previously held a CPD day to support staff on red dot reporting. 

In order to develop the department I network across Scotland and gain feedback in order to evaluate and develop the role to best fit the needs of the staff. I regularly use my reporting knowledge to assist with training of the staff and maintain my clinical skills within my role.

What steps did you take to get to this role?

I graduated from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen in 2008. I specialised in orthopaedic imaging before working within a community setting where I was able to develop skills in first line commenting and completed my minor injuries assessment course. In 2018 I completed my PgCert in Diagnostic Image Reporting which I feel has increased my knowledge and skills to bring to the role as the PEF for general imaging within NHS Grampian.

I have been a formal student practice educator since 2010 and I have worked closely with the students over the years. I enjoy helping junior members of staff with complex cases, trouble shooting and using adaptive techniques and used my wide range of skills from working with orthopaedics to share with others. The role of the PEF within the general imaging department was a newly created role in 2022 and I was excited by the opportunity to develop such a role and had a clear vision of where the role could lead to. I enjoy being able to step in and support both students and staff and having a strong knowledge of adaptive technique, protocols and clinical governance that surrounds radiography allowed me to believe that I could adapt to this new and exciting role for NHS Grampian.

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

It was daunting taking on a role which no one had done before however this also allowed me to develop it into what I envisioned. The superintendents within the general imaging department and team leads from across the sites in Grampian have been very supportive and encouraging. I am very fortunate to work alongside a great team who are keen to support and work with the students and new members of staff. 

Having taken on a new post on a new site I have been able to learn and build on their knowledge of the hospital and networking to help facilitate student placements including international students. Having previous experience of many of the sites across Grampian and my knowledge from my reporting background allowed me to consider the needs of staff and students across the board. The support of PEFs within the MRI and CT departments which were also developing was greatly beneficial and allowed us to work as a team, developing a robust preceptorship programme and provide a consistent approach. Having previously been a union learning representative accredited by the SoR and having completed the Institute of Leadership and Management Team Leading course has helped with my coaching and mentoring skills. 

A formal practice educator course looking at supporting staff as well as students would be very useful and I would like to work towards Practice Educator Accreditation (PEAS) from the College of Radiographers.

What is the most rewarding thing about your role?

The most rewarding aspect of my role is giving newly qualified radiographers the knowledge and tools to settle into the environment of the new post and developing into independent practitioners that are confident in what they do.  When you see them passing on the knowledge to student radiographers that they were taught by the team it makes you proud. 

It is also great to be able to influence others on their career path and helping individuals choose a profession which is continually advancing.

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

There may be many paths to get where you want to be, be open to changing direction and take opportunities that come up along the way, try new things to see what aligns best to you as an individual. Every opportunity you take you will gain experience and be able develop your own individual style of learning, you will be better prepared to adapt and support others.