Radiotherapy & Oncology

Useful Links

Look for job vacancies at:

NHS Jobs and the websites of individual NHS trusts
NHS Scotland Recruitment
Society of Radiographers

When radiotherapy is used

Radiotherapy may be used in the early stages of cancer or after it has started to spread.

It can be used to:

try to cure the cancer completely (curative radiotherapy)
make other treatments more effective – for example, it can be combined with chemotherapy or used before surgery (neo-adjuvant radiotherapy)
reduce the risk of the cancer coming back after surgery (adjuvant radiotherapy)
relieve symptoms if a cure is not possible (palliative radiotherapy)

Radiotherapy is generally considered the most effective cancer treatment after surgery, but how well it works varies from person to person.

The most common types are:

external radiotherapy, where a machine is used to carefully aim beams of radiation at the cancer
radiotherapy implants (brachytherapy), where small pieces of radioactive metal are (usually temporarily) placed inside your body near the cancer
radiotherapy injections, capsules or drinks (radioisotope therapy), where you swallow a radioactive liquid, or have it injected into your blood
intrabeam radiotherapy, where radiation is delivered directly at the tumour during breast cancer surgery (this treatment is not available at all NHS hospitals)

How to prepare for your interview

Check the information provided from the University when you were invited to interview what do you need to take with you? What type of interviews will you be undertaking? 1 to 1/ group?

Be on time! Make sure you know where you need to be and how to get there with plenty of time to spare.

Bring all documentation they have asked you to take with you.

Dress appropriately - remember, this is an interview for a professional course.

Re-read your application form and personal statement as they will ask you to elaborate on it.

Be clear about why you want to be a radiographer/ radiotherapist?

Be ready to answer questions about the profession – brief yourself on current issues. Check current news related to the profession you are hoping to go into.

Be ready to answer questions about the course.

Be ready to answer questions about the University – have you been to an Open Day; why do you want to study here; how will you fit in?

Be yourself! Be confident ! Good luck!

Radiotherapy staff

Therapeutic radiographer

These are specialist health care professionals qualified in the localisation and treatment of cancer using ionising radiation (as distinct from diagnostic radiographers who image patients for diagnosis). Therapeutic radiographers' levels of practice range from practitioner through to advanced, and to highly specialised consultant roles.

Clinical oncologist

Medical consultants qualified in the treatment of cancer using radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy. They usually specialise in the treatment of certain cancers.

Physicist / clinical scientist

Medical physicists who work in radiotherapy supervise the dose of radiation delivered to treat cancer patients. They are responsible for commissioning, calibration, safe operation and maintenance of radiotherapy equipment. They are involved in planning complex treatment for individual patients using a range of complex equipment which includes linear accelerators. They also have a role in ensuring a safe environment for patients and staff from potential hazards including radiation.

Clinical technologists including dosimetrists

Clinical technologists (also known as medical technologists) are responsible for maintaining, monitoring and sometimes operating the equipment and instruments used to treat radiotherapy patients. They are trained in clinical physics. Roles vary, and include being responsible for the production of individual patient treatment plans, quality assurance testing of radiotherapy equipment, equipment maintenance and engineering support.

Clinical engineer

Clinical engineers design and test the tools and equipment that the radiotherapy team use to carry out radiotherapy planning and treatment procedures. They work closely with clinical scientists, physicists and technologists.

Support staff

There is a variety of staff who support the radiotherapy service. These include clerks, secretarial and administrative staff, clinic helpers and support workers. They ensure the smooth running of the service.

Interview Help

MMI Interviews

A Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) is a type of interview used by an increasing number of medical schools. Since it is a fairly new format, it can catch a lot of students off guard, as well as posing a challenge for teachers who are unsure how to prepare their pupils.

Instead of sitting opposite a panel of interviewers, you’ll be taking part in a series of exchanges that test your ability to make ethical judgements and solve problems.

https://www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/medical-school-interview/mmi-interviews/

https://www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/medical-school-interview/mmi-interviews/mmi-role-play/

https://www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/medical-school-interview/mmi-interviews/mmi-giving-instructions/

https://www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/medical-school-interview/mmi-interviews/mmi-medical-ethics/

https://www.themedicportal.com/mmi-stations-calculation-and-data-interpretation/

Top tips for the Selection Day

Listen carefully to all instructions
Double-check if you are uncertain about what you are required to do - don't be afraid to ask questions
Be alert and aware throughout the selection day - concentrate, stay calm but focused
Do not make assumptions about the way to respond - if you try to guess what the "answers" might be, or what the assessor is looking for, you may be wrong - it is always best to be honest and be yourself!
Come prepared; read all the information you have been sent carefully before your Selection Day

Interview

An interview will form part of the Selection Day. Structured interviews will focus on particular skills, or on how you approach specific problems to assess your suitability for the course. The interview will also look to assess how you meet the NHS Constitution Values by asking questions that directly relate to the six values, which are:

Respect and Dignity – the feelings, wishes, and rights of patients must always be taken into account. It is important prospective applicants are able to demonstrate dignity and respect towards patients as the profession revolves around patient contact.
Commitment to Quality of Care – patients are always at the forefront of healthcare and as such should receive and experience care that is of the highest standard possible. It is a requirement for prospective applicants to put others’ first whilst offering a standard of care that they would expect either themselves or family members to receive.
Compassion – radiographers come into contact with a variety of patients some of which may be unwell, in pain, or even vulnerable. It is essential for prospective applicants to demonstrate humility, a sense of awareness of an individuals’ suffering, and a desire to help those who are unwell, in pain, or even vulnerable.
Improving Lives – healthcare aims to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease, illness, or physiological impairment. Therefore it is important that prospective applicants have the willingness and desire to make a positive impact in regard to someone’s health or life.
Working together for patients – radiographers work with a variety of healthcare professionals to diagnose, treat, and manage illness and disease. Therefore prospective applicants need to be able to demonstrate clear and concise communication along with the ability to work in a team.
Everyone Counts – all healthcare professionals must be committed to improving outcomes for patients by improving quality and offering patients choices about their care. Subsequently prospective applicants must be able to demonstrate a desire to put the patient first and take into consideration their preferences in regard to care.

https://www.hee.nhs.uk/about/our-values/nhs-constitutional-values-hub-0

The following three questions are sample questions:

Question 1 - Explain what you think the day to day life of a radiographer will involve.

Values assessed: Commitment to Quality of Care; Compassion; Improving Lives; Working together for patients.

The aim of this question is for the student to:

Evidence a realistic idea of the career/profession.
Explicitly refer to provision of care; compassion; team work; making a difference.

Question 2 - You’re a student radiographer attending clinical, you are walking through the department and a service user calls out to you. You approach them and they inform you they have soiled the sheets of the bed they are in. What do you do?

Values assessed: Respect & Dignity; Commitment to Quality of Care; Compassion; Working together for patients.

The aim of this question is for the student to:

Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of others.
Understand that the service user in this instance may be embarrassed or even concerned.
Think of ways to help resolve the situation.
Understand the limit of their own knowledge and experience.

Question 3 - Should an individual who is a smoker and developed cancer be given less priority than genuine accidents or illnesses?

Values assessed: Respect & Dignity; Commitment to Quality of Care; Compassion; Working together for patients; Everyone counts.

The aim of this question is for the student to: