In this section
In This Section
What do you do in your current role/area of expertise?
I work part-time in sonography, teaching students how to perform obstetric, gynaecological, general abdominal, head and neck scans. Students learn the complexities of scanning, assessing and acquiring images and utilising clinical history. They learn new skills such as counselling, breaking bad news and report writing. These things can be a daunting task, which at times, seem very challenging for students. My role as a Practice Educator is to work with my other practice educator colleagues to consistently encourage, motivate and drive students to succeed, taking into account the different learning styles and progress timelines of each student.
Since 2017 at the Ultrasound Academy, we have gained funding from HEE/NHSE to provide practical ultrasound training for the North West London area. This unique setting provides a variety of real-life scanning opportunities, simulators and a team of dedicated Practice Educators, plus a full-time Clinical Lead for the Academy, all of which have so far helped approximately 40 students to achieve PGC/PGDip qualifications.
What steps did you take to get to this role?
Having completed my MSc in 2006, I had an honorary contract with City University to assess students for final practical assessments and to give annual lectures on film viewing, thyroid scanning, advanced and consultant practice in sonography. This work was additional to my Clinical Lead Sonographer position. However, since retirement in 2020, I have focused exclusively on teaching in our Ultrasound Academy, which is a very rewarding role.
What support did you have along the way or would have been helpful to have had?
Having good liaison with the Higher Education Institution (HEI) that is providing the academic component of the PgC/PgD and MSc US training, is essential to ensuring a successful outcome for students. This, coupled with continued support from the Lead Tutor, is always pivotal for successful teaching.
What is the most rewarding thing about your role?
The most rewarding aspect of the job is to watch student progress from novice to independent scanning. Our academy setting fosters a nurturing environment to learn in a collaborative setup. While the teaching and learning are demanding for both the student and educator, it is reassuring that many past students greet me with positive feedback regarding my input into teaching and, surprisingly, even assessments! It is also encouraging that when teaching is conducted in a constructive and thoughtful manner, many patients thank us for their positive experience and wish the students well in their endeavours. Some patients even comment that they were not aware of the complexity of ultrasound scans.
What advice can you give to others who might want to work towards this role or follow a similar pathway?
If you enjoy teaching and would like to contribute to the continuing development of the profession, I would certainly recommend becoming a Practice Educator.