Four Months In

Yes I know it's been a while since I wrote here but life has been busy.  It is now four months since I started my new job.  Having spent three years juggling studying and clinical placements with family life I thought working full time would be a breeze.  In all honesty it's exhausting!  Even though I am not actually studying at the moment the learning curve as a newly qualified radiographer is very steep.  Every shift you work you are still learning, improving on the skills you gained as a student and developing as a professional person.  These past four months I have learnt so much, gaining confidence in my skills and ability.  Yet I know there is still so much I will have to learn, skills to develop.  But the best part is that I work with an amazing team who support me as I gain confidence and are constantly teaching me more about the actual job.  

So four months in do I have any regrets? Do I still love the career I chose?  Thankfully no regrets, although there are days when I wish I could be home in half an hour instead of an hour and ten minutes!  But how many people realistically work close to home? Probably not that many and if so is it out of convenience rather than choosing the better place to work?  And of course I still love my new career.  As somebody who loves to learn this is the ideal career for me.  I know that I can study again in the near future, starting my Masters.  I would also still love to be involved in research, helping to improve service delivery, gaining a better understanding about cancer and its impact on peoples lives, throughout treatment and beyond.  Those long drives home are perfect for exploring ideas that are brewing in my head.  But for now I need to focus on completing my preceptorship and being the best radiographer I can be.

Until next time, take care.
Zoe
xo

First Two Weeks As a Qualified Radiographer

Well I have survived my first two weeks and can honestly say that I love my new job.  No longer being a student is strange but good and will take a while to get used to.  Returning as a qualified member of staff to my training hospital has proven to be beneficial, knowing my way around, already knowing staff names aswell as knowing how to use Varian equipment.  So far the transistion has been smooth and as of last Friday I am no longer supernumerary, which in itself is a milestone.  A scary milestone as I am now responsible every time I set up a patient and beam on! 

Many newly qualified's take the summer off before starting their first job, enjoying that last summer of freedom before many years of working.  However I chose to just have the three weeks, as I really wanted to start earning money but also because everything was still fresh in my memory.  Often returning to placement after the long summers meant I take a week or two to get back in the way of working. That's the problem with being a mature student! 

So I am now just waiting for my new uniform and name badge to arrive and then I think I will really feel like a real radiographer!

Until next time, take care.
Zoe
xo

What Does A Therapeutic Radiographer Really Do?

This is a question I get asked alot, people seem genuinely intrigued by my new career choice.  Many assume I am a nurse specialising in something or more often a diagnostic radiographer.  Well I thought it was about time I explained the what I do as therapeutic radiographer and why it is very different to my collegues role in diagnostic radiography. Whether you or a member of your family has ever had to have an xray, a CT or MRI scan, you would have met a diagnostic radiographer.  Their role is similar yet very different to mine and they can be found in several departments in the hospital, however you will only find therapeutic radiographers in the oncology department.

Radiotherapy is a key and often primary treatment for many types of cancer.  Using targeted megavoltage xrays we kill tumour cells, pinpointing treatment within millimetres to avoid damaging normal tissue.  This is a very simple explanation and my training has included whole modules on radiation physics and how the treatment works biologically as well as how the machines work. My role is varied but very specialised as theraputic radiographers plan and deliver treatment as well as managing patients side effects throughout treatment.  From the first visit to the radiotherapy department for a planning CT scan, to a patients treatment plan being created and then actually delivering the treatment, no two days are ever the same.  When I qualify I will quite possibly become more specialised in either pre-treatment or treatment, as this seems the normal path in most departments. 

One the best parts of my job is that I get to know the patients, seeing them every day for four to seven weeks.  Over that time you get to know them, can help them on days when treatment is taking its toll, to just being there to ask if they are ok or greeting them with a smile.  This is the reason I chose therapeutic over diagnostic radiography, I wanted to be able to offer continuity of care.  Although people often wonder if my job is depressing, cancer isn't normally a cheery subject.  Yet I can assure you my job is far from depressing, patients amaze me every day, just because they have cancer it doesn't mean they lose their sense of humour. They are incredible with the way they cope and their determination is inspiring.  Admittedly there are some days that are tough, but I didn't go into this job because it was easy, I chose it because I wanted to care for people.  

So there is a little insight in to the role of a therapeutic radiographer. In the next few weeks I will write in  more detail about the actual degree course, just incase any of you are considering a career change.  In the meantime you can find out more about the role of a therapeutic radiographer on the Society of Radiographers website and find out more about radiotherapy on the Cancer Research website.

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

xo