Hi, I am Aine McGovern and I am the new Head of Education, Training and Research at Cobalt Health.

Could you tell us a bit about your career background?

I am a diagnostic radiographer. I qualified in 2007 from UWE Bristol and I took my first post as a basic-grade radiographer at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton. I later specialised in CT and MRI undertaking an MSc in MRI. I visited Cobalt to attend an MRI physics course and loved the feel of the charity and I thought Cheltenham was a beautiful town. I found a position available in MRI and jumped at the chance to join the team. I have been at Cobalt for 10 years now!

Within MRI I worked as a mobile radiographer, which really improved my UK geography! I then had the opportunity to progress to MRI Clinical Lead and Training Facilitator and later Research Radiographer across all imaging modalities. This allowed me to train in PETCT and work in CT again. I am a member of Research 4 Gloucestershire which is a local collaboration of healthcare providers working to bring more research to the county and showcase the wonderful work being carried out here. Within this role, I became more involved in workforce development, specifically radiographers and Allied Health Professionals. I developed links with the University of Gloucestershire and the local AHP community, sitting on the local AHP council and faculty. I was Cobalt’s representative working with a national task force to write the Apprentice Radiography degree content and assessments which was accepted and adopted by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Head of Education, Training and Research feels like a natural progression for me. I will work on things I am passionate about and feel important to me which will benefit my colleagues, patients and the profession.

What is your new role at Cobalt?
I have just returned from maternity leave as I have a nine-month-old son. It has been exciting returning to a new role and I have loved seeing everyone again and getting back on the councils and committees I work with and that sense of community. I feel energised and ready to see what I can do with this role and the developments I can make. The role is a new position in Cobalt which gives a lot of scope to work. The focus will be on developing and supporting research within Cobalt, expanding the education we offer and developing our internal training programme. I am really passionate about career pathways and progression and promoting these opportunities.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I spend my downtime with my family outdoors on walks, at rugby matches, concerts and looking for adventures. I enjoy escaping to the gym for a heavy weight session or a long hike up a big hill somewhere.

And finally, what would be your favourite meal and movie combination?
I don’t have a favourite film but I love the drama of a Netflix documentary paired with Chinese food and a couple of beers!