Return to Radiography - Radiographers
The professional team at the Society of Radiographers can provide individual support and advice for Radiographers thinking about returning to work. Christina Freeman is the lead professional officer for recruitment, retention and return and can be contacted on 020 7740 7245 or e-mail christinaf@sor.org
The Returners Network consists of a small group of Radiographers from all over the country (both diagnostic and therapeutic) who have successfully returned to practice after a break. The members of the Returners Network can provide support, advice and empathy and they can be contacted through Christina (as above).
Radiotherapy Radiographers can get help from a National Project based in Leeds, please contact:
Margaret Le Beau
Return to Radiotherapy Programme Leader
Faculty of Health and Well Being
Sheffield Hallam University
Collegiate Campus
SHEFFIELD S10 2BP
E-mail: m.lebeau@shu.ac.uk
Phone: 0114 2255369
Frequently asked questions
Will the equipment have changed too much?
Depending on how long you have been out some equipment will have changed but much equipment will be similar. Even Radiographers who have remained in practice need some re-training when faced with new and unfamiliar pieces of equipment. Don’t be afraid to ask. Try to remember that communicating with the patient and basic positioning and immobilisation skills have not changed and more has stayed the same than is different.
Will the staff accept me?
If you are concerned about this, ask the Superintendent/Service Manager before you start. By working with experienced staff, you will learn a lot and build relationships quickly.
Will it be awkward having younger staff training you?
It’s probably true to say that you have much to learn from each other. Remember that you have a lot to offer – you may have experience of dealing with the demands of a family or working in different environments and with different people. You can teach the younger radiographer whilst they are teaching you the technical competencies of radiography.
I don’t know anything about the new modalities?
Once you are confident again in general work there will probably be opportunities for further specialities: CT or MRI, or on-treatment review and assessment.
Am I too old to return to radiography?
Fitness and motivation matter more than age. Radiographers in their 50s have successfully returned to work and have been made very welcome.
There have been negative reports in the media about Radiography and Radiotherapy services. Is it really a good place to work?
The best way is to spend time in the Clinical Imaging or Radiotherapy and Oncology Department, and then you can make up your own mind.
How do I register?
The Health Professions Council website has information about how to return to register on their website at www.hpc-uk.org
The following is a profile of one of the members of the Returners Network that was featured in the Society monthly magazine – Synergy – in July 2005.
Jane Fawcett qualified in 1985, training at the Bradford School of Radiography under Eric Naylor, and attached to the Dewsbury group of hospitals.
She said: “After qualifying I worked at Bradford Royal Infirmary until 1990, when I took maternity leave. I did three years of occasional work as and when I had the time, but moved out of the area. When my daughter started full-time school in September 1995, I enquired at both Bradford and Dewsbury to see if there were any part-time vacancies.”
On this occasion, there were no vacancies and so Jane decided on a career change. She explained: “I resolved to work at my daughter's school voluntarily for two years, and then I started working for a telephone banking company based in Leeds, in November 1997. I worked 20 hours per week and enjoyed being back in the workplace.”
After four years of her banking career Jane was again attracted back to radiography.
“In September 2001 I saw an advert in The Yorkshire Postabout radiographers at Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield. They were advertising for a variety of positions. I applied and was taken on as a radiography helper for a six month temporary contract while I re-learnt my radiography skills through in-house training. I was given a part-time post as radiographer on 6 May 2002 working 20 hours per week.”
Since then Jane has been making rapid progress up the radiography career ladder. She said: “I completed my regrading to senior II in December 2003 and have taken on some extra responsibilities. These include updating all training records for x-ray staff and producing a trust-wide pack for mentoring return-to-practice radiographers.”
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