What made you decide to pursue your career?
I already had a degree in biological sciences but wasn’t really keen on pursuing a career in this route. I was always drawn to working with people and was interested in medical sort of roles within a hospital setting. I came along to one of the open days here at James Cook, and then got the opportunity to spend a day in the department. I really enjoyed all aspects of the role, and decided to apply for the course, and as they say, the rest is history.
What route did you take into your profession?
I did the postgraduate diploma over two years, since I already had an undergraduate degree in a science-related subject. I loved this approach as it was “learning on the job”. At the end of the two years I was lucky to get a job within this department.
What does a typical working day look like for you?
What I love about my job is that it is so varied. Each day is different, in terms of the patients we meet and the challenges we may encounter. I have recently become a rotational member of the team, which means I will be working both in pre-treatment and on the treatment floor.
On the treatment floor, I deliver radiotherapy to patients, but that is only a small part of my role. As therapeutic radiographers, we also chat to patients and their relatives about what to expect when they come to us, any side effects they may have as well as generally answering any questions they may have or easing any worries.
In pre-treatment, the role of a therapeutic radiographer is slightly different and it involves scanning the patient on a CT scanner. It also involves cannulating patients who may need contrast for their scan, as well as being the first point of contact for patients beginning their treatment.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy most?
For me, the best part of this job is the people I meet. I get a lot of job satisfaction from being able to chat to patients and their relatives, as well as helping to ease any worries or concerns they may have. As therapeutic radiographers, we work closely in small teams, another aspect I really love about this job. We have an amazing team here at James Cook radiotherapy, and I am excited for opportunities to further develop my role in the future.