Laura Johnson was a radiographer in a busy NHS breast screening unit before taking seven years out of the profession to look after her young daughter.
Determined to return to the career that she loved, Laura successfully reregistered and is now a senior mammographer at Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Trust.
“Because I had been out of radiography for more than five years, I was required by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to undertake at least 60 days of supervised clinical work, private and formal study,” she explains.
“I decided to work around my daughter’s school hours which meant that it took me about four months to complete my training.”
Laura was supervised in the mammography unit, and also spent time in the CT, MRI, general ultrasound and out-patient x-ray departments.
“I was surprised how quickly I remembered the positioning techniques and the digital equipment did not pose any problems,” she says.
With the support and guidance of her manager and colleagues, Laura successfully updated her knowledge and skills and was re-registered by the HCPC.
“It was hard work,” she admits. “Sixty days is a long time and you need to be committed and enthusiastic.”
She is now employed by the Trust that supported her through the process.
“I feel so lucky to have succeeded in re-registering and securing a rewarding and enjoyable job which suits my needs as a mum.”