Sean is a new MRI trainee radiographer who has joined us on our trainee radiographer programme here at Cobalt. The programme offers a complete and structured education and development package in all the key areas of MRI; safety, physics and basic and advanced imaging techniques. MRI Trainees will engage in lifelong learning with regular CPD opportunities, including post graduate study. They also get to work with the latest technology. Here’s what Sean had to say.
“I’m Sean and I’m a new MRI trainee radiographer. I started at Cobalt this week. It’s my fifth day. I have just relocated from Leeds. It’s been a little overwhelming but exciting nonetheless. I have just come from my diagnostic radiography masters course, which finished in August. I had my final exam in August and took a little break before joining.
A friend introduced me to the field of radiography. Before that I didn’t know much about what it entailed. At the time I was working in an office processing medical information. I asked my friend what he does on a day to day basis. I really liked the idea of working with the technology. He was working with x-ray. The chat made me want to be a part of that. He told me about the different kinds of technology radiographers use including CT, MRI, Ultrasound and got me really interested. I thought I would also enjoy the patient contact. Being able to reassure them.
I went for a visit to one of the hospitals before I started my course so I could get a feel for the sort of environment I would be working in. I was placed in Newcastle Trust. I was mainly in x-ray but also did bits and pieces in CT and Ultrasound and nuclear medicine. The visit made me realise this was something I really wanted to pursue.
My master’s course was 20 months following study of radiography for four years prior to that. I’m now getting to apply that knowledge practically.
My advice to someone considering a career path in radiography would be to consider if they had a genuine interest in medical technology. Do they like communicating with others, especially the patient care aspect because that’s so important. If you have the passion for technology and the passion to learn more about human anatomy; this job rolls all those things in to one.
No day is ever the same. It’s really variable. You’re always going to have some new exciting thing happen. It’s not just a boring mundane kind of job.
For the first five or six months I will be mainly based here in Cheltenham and working Monday to Friday. Then I will be travelling throughout the UK on the mobile MRI scanners . I may have two or three overnight stays but I’m looking forward to getting to see new places down South!
At the moment, I am 9-5 for the first few weeks but then I will be on the rotas and will work a mix of early and late shifts. A typical day so far has been patient screening, getting used to having patient contact again. Making sure patients are prepared for their exam. I have been getting up to speed with certain MRI protocols, going through a lot of policies and procedures. I check in regularly with my training facilitator and work through my training handbook. It’s probably going to be about five or six months for me before I get out on the mobile scanners.
The best thing about my job is learning something new either in regards to MRI or just the protocols that are in place here. It’s exciting knowing that when I come to work I’m going to learn something new and going to be able to apply it.”
We asked Sean if he could do anything else what would it be?
“I’ve got a passion for weight training and nutrition so I would probably lean towards personal training or a nutritionist or combination of the two. Failing that maybe an Instagram influencer.”