Radiotherapy Careers

Name: Jo McNamara - Steering Group Chair

Email: Joanna.mcnamara@shu.ac.uk

Job Title: Senior Lecturer & National Macmillan Therapeutic Radiography Clinical Fellow

Qualifications: MSc, PgCert, BSc, SFHE.

Career Journey: I studied BSc Radiotherapy & Oncology in 2004, worked as a band 5 Therapeutic Radiographer, specialised in IGRT and ultrasound, undertook a fellowship and did some project work in Canada, appointed as a Placement Link Tutor (PLT) with a University and subsequently became a Senior Lecturer. Currently working part time as the National Macmillan Therapeutic Radiography Clinical Fellow, promoting the profession and investigating scope of practice.

My Story: I was lucky to discover Therapeutic Radiography, as at school I always wanted to be a Physio. It wasn't until I fainted in my first physiotherapy lecture at Uni that I realised it wasn't the career for me! I went on a departmental visit to a Radiotherapy department and the rest is history, I fell in love with my chosen career. Being a Therapeutic Radiographer has given me so many opportunities, I have travelled, made lifelong friendships, made a real difference to people's lives and I love the fact that I wake up every day looking forward to work.

Advice: My advice to anyone considering a career in radiotherapy is to get as much people experience as possible, being able to communicate effectively is so very important and exposing yourself to people from all walks of life will help you in your chosen career.

Name: Hazel Pennington - Steering Group Chair

Job Title: Principal Therapeutic Radiographer Proton Therapy, The Christie and National Macmillan Therapeutic Radiographer Clinical Fellow

Qualifications: BSc (hons), PgCert Education ,PgDip Law, PgDip Legal Practice, MSc Advanced Clinical Practice

Career Journey: Graduated in 1995. First job was at The Christie Manchester. Worked in Singapore at the National Cancer Centre. Part time paralegal in a law firm for clinical negligence. Research radiographer. Radiotherapy Clinical Education Lead. Operational lead for setting up first NHS high energy proton service. Health and Care Professions Council fitness to practise panel member. CQC specialist advisor for oncology.

My Story: I knew I always wanted to work with people, but didn’t fancy nursing and then by chance I saw an advert in a local paper for therapeutic radiography. The career has brought me so many fantastic opportunities and even though I have stepped out of my career to travel or study I have always returned. Therapeutic radiography is a great career platform, your qualifications are recognised abroad, and although you may not stay as radiographer treating patients it can open many doors of opportunities.

Advice: Work hard, maintain high standards of professionalism and be flexible. It is not a 9-5 job and you need to adapt to the ever changing needs of the health service.

Name: Kate Shrewsbury-Gee

Job Title: Therapeutic Radiographer

Qualifications: BSc

Career journey: I graduated from the University of Liverpool with a BSc in Radiotherapy and Oncology in July 2020. I started work as a band 5 Therapeutic Radiographer under temporary COVID-19 HCPC registration in May 2020, and now work in a permanent position at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

My Story: A late-night search of careers after deciding to leave my Physics course first brought Radiotherapy to my attention. As I researched the profession it became clear it was the perfect mixture of physics and patient contact to fit my personality and interests. Although making a career choice in the middle of the night in a panicked state was a risky move, I’ve never once regretted it. I love being a Therapeutic Radiographer, I have learnt so much and met so many amazing people along the way, and my journey is only just beginning!

Advice: My advice would be to get involved! There’s so much more to the profession than just going to work every day. There’s such a wide range of opportunities to get involved with, and it’s such a tight knit community you’re sure to make some life-long friends.

Name: Steve Murphy

Job Title: Lead Dosimetrist Radiotherapy Physics

Qualifications: MSc, BTeC

Career Journey: I studied my BTeC ONC in medical physics and physiological measurement in 1998 in Plymouth alongside the regional training scheme run by the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM), taking me into a world of radiotherapy physics and caring for people undergoing their cancer journey. I have since worked in numerous roles in the UK and abroad and am now the lead for my profession at the Christie NHS Foundation trust in Manchester.

My Story: After a career in the Army I was lucky enough to be signposted to the training scheme for healthcare science by a retired Army Colonel, I spent 2 years training in service building up my understanding and knowledge of radiotherapy physics. I have been lucky enough to work in some amazing hospitals over the years and spent 2 years working in the South Caribbean as a radiation oncology service manager. I have since undertaken my MSc in leadership and am actively involved in training, education and mentoring of new and current professionals within radiotherapy physics across the UK.

Advice: My advice to anyone who wants to be involved in science in medicine is to understand that the patient is at the heart of everything we do. A lot of our roles are behind the scenes of patient care, but the patient is still the primary motivation in what we try to achieve.

Name: Naman Julka-Anderson

Job Title: Macmillan Treatment Review Radiographer

Qualifications: BSc (hons), MSc

Career Journey: I started my career as a Band 5 Therapeutic Radiographer at the Beacon Centre, Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, then moved up into a Band 6 Rotational Review Radiographer as I have always had a special interest in review. In 2021 I started my new role as a Band 7 Macmillan Treatment Review Radiographer at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust which is exciting. Along with this I have given two lectures at Sheffield Hallam University and hope to continue this the future.

My Story: I was born and raised in India, moved over to London in 1999. Completed my schooling here in London, went back to India to complete my 6^th form studies and then over to Bristol for University. I originally studied Biomedical Sciences at undergraduate level but after working in a laboratory I didn’t enjoy it as I wanted more patient contact. Found out more about Therapeutic Radiography including role extensions, visited a Radiotherapy centre in London, applied for the MSc route and here I am! I love reviewing patients and helping them manage their physical and psychosocial side effects.

Advice: My advice is to always be kind and compassionate with every patient and colleague you encounter; you never know what someone might be going through. Therapeutic Radiography as a career will provide you with a variety of technical knowledge, communication skills and people skills – no other healthcare job is quite like it!

Name: Lynn Mundy

Job Title: Professional Head (Radiotherapy) and Learning in Practice Lead (Radiotherapy) at Cardiff University

Qualifications: MSc.

Career Journey: I was so excited to start a career in Therapeutic Radiography (Radiotherapy) and qualified in 1984. Initially I worked as a Therapeutic Radiographer and then as a Medical Technical Officer in Nuclear Medicine. I returned to Therapeutic Radiography (Radiotherapy) and later made the move to higher education as a lecturer.

My Story: I became familiar with Therapeutic Radiography (Radiotherapy) in my teens when a member of my family received treatment at the local Cancer Centre. I was amazed at the kindness of all the staff and all the amazing technology they used. I wanted to do my best to help people fight cancer and I decided that this was the career for me. I have enjoyed so many opportunities over my career and, best of all, worked with fantastic colleagues and made my closest friendships.

Advice: Find out as much as you can from a range of sources. If you are looking for a career with care, communication, friendship and ever advancing technology then take some time to look at Therapeutic Radiography (Radiotherapy). Be bold, compassionate and courageous.

Name: Mariam Kalsoom

Qualifications: BSc (Hons)

Job Title: Therapeutic Radiographer – Team Leader

Career Journey: I studied BSc Radiotherapy & Oncology in 2005. I then worked as a Band 5 Therapeutic Radiographer. I did some further courses and have completed some MSc modules to become a Review Therapeutic Radiographer. I am currently a Team Leader as well as a student mentor and a Preceptor. I really enjoy the diversity of my role, it’s a privilege to be an advocate for patients as well as students and staff – it’s a very enriching role and there’s never a dull day!

My Story: I discovered Therapeutic Radiography purely by chance. I always knew I wanted to work with people in the NHS as an AHP. I did a few placements and rotations in lots of different areas including physiotherapy and occupational health – there wasn’t really a department I didn’t visit - but I really enjoyed the Therapeutic side of radiography. It’s a perfect combination of technical skill and patient contact. I really enjoy supporting patients through their treatments as well as working in a fast paced and dynamic environment with so many different staff groups. Being a Therapeutic Radiographer allows me to make such a huge difference every single day and it really is a more than a job.

Advice: To give it a chance! Be flexible, approachable and kind. Never be afraid to ask for help or advice and reach out to others in the profession – we’re a friendly group and never tire of helping!

Name: Michelle Simon

Job Title: Radiotherapy Practice Educator Facilitator & Health Education England RePAIR Fellow

Qualifications: MSc Advanced Professional Practice (2022) & BSc Radiotherapy and Oncology

Career Journey: I completed my BSc Radiotherapy & Oncology in 2013. My first Band 5 position was in one of the departments I had trained in, which enabled a nice transition from student to qualified Therapeutic Radiographer. I progressed to a band 6 Senior Radiographer just after 18 months. I set up an Intra-Operative Electron Radiotherapy service for Pancreatic, Colorectal and Head and Neck patients (first in the UK). After 5 years I moved back to London and became a Band 7 Treatment Team Leader. I am now working as the Radiotherapy Practice Educator Facilitator and have recently started a year’s secondment as a RePAIR fellow, focusing on reducing student attrition and increasing retention. I am hoping to complete my Masters by the end of next year.

My Story: I always knew I wanted to pursue a career that helped people in some way. I was lucky enough to go on various work experiences across a broad range of AHP professions and narrowed it down to Radiography. At first I was considering a career in diagnostic radiography, but after visiting a Radiotherapy department, I thought this was the profession for me. I definitely get job satisfaction, as the thanks and praise you receive from patients and relatives makes you feel that you have made a difference. I also love the different opportunities available within the profession.

Advice: My advice to anyone considering a career in Radiotherapy is to first visit a department if you can, to get an insight of what the job entails. Talk to the staff working there to get their views and ask lots of questions.

Name: Shannon Johnson

Job title: Rotational Therapeutic Radiographer

Qualifications: BSc (Hons)

Career journey: I studied Radiotherapy and Oncology at the University of the West of England (UWE) and graduated in 2019.

I now work as a rotational band 5 Therapeutic Radiographer at The Beacon Centre in Taunton, Somerset.

I am part of a number of different projects within my radiotherapy department including; Work experience/Outreach and the Wellbeing team. One of my favourite roles within my job is being a Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) ambassador as I have a great passion in promoting the radiotherapy profession and have a big interest in research!

I am working towards my masters in the hope of exploring how I can help improve patient care and advocating the profession.

My story: I knew that I always wanted to work in a profession where I was able to help people and make a difference to people's lives. However, I wish that someone had recommended Therapeutic Radiography to me sooner. I am lucky enough to have found my Radiotherapy career by chance, and I wouldn't change it one bit! The Radiotherapy community is the best team that I have had the privilege to be a part of. Having the opportunity to meet incredible patients and colleagues and directly see how you can make a difference is incredibly rewarding.

Advice: Therapeutic radiography is such a varied profession with a number of different avenues for specialism and progression. It is a career that I would recommend to anyone who has a great passion for helping and listening to people as well as having an interest in the amazing advancing technology that we are able to use and work with day to day to help improve the care that our patients receive.

Name: Laura Russell

Job Title: Lead Dosimetrist

Qualifications: BSc (Hons), MSc Radiotherapy and Oncology

Career Journey: After qualifying from the University of Liverpool in 2009 I moved to Hull University Teaching Hospitals Trust to start work as a Band 5 therapeutic radiographer. After three years and having rotated around treatment and pre-treatment I took a role as a Dosimetrist at Lincoln County Hospital in 2012. In 2014 I returned to Hull University Teaching Hospitals Trust as a Dosimetrist and in 2016 I achieved the job as Lead Dosimetrist, a Team Leader role.

My Story: I knew I wanted to work in oncology, I didn’t fancy nursing so after a little research I found Radiotherapy! In my training we had a placement in treatment planning which I thoroughly enjoyed. The experience remained in the back of my mind, so when it came to the crossroads of accepting my first treatment planning job, I knew that taking the leap was right for me. I was able to keep patient contact through mould room work, an aspect of the role I thoroughly enjoy.

Advice: Get to know the different parts of the multidisciplinary team in the patient pathway by being friendly and talking to people! Chat to everyone you can and if possible, observe different parts of the pathway- it may open doors or spark ideas of how to improve patient care.