HEE NCEL to fund new educator posts for therapeutic radiographers

Published: 05 February 2016 Ezine

Health Education England NCEL has agreed to fund 3 one-year fixed term clinical educator posts across London to support clinical placements and wider development needs within therapeutic radiography. 

The intention is to attach one post to each of the three London HEI’s delivering therapeutic radiography programmes.

Gary Dakin, Healthcare Science and AHP Lead at HEE NCEL, said: “As London lead education commissioner for therapeutic radiography, we are pleased to be able to sponsor the introduction of three clinical educator posts to support undergraduate student placement and the development of the wider therapeutic radiography workforce across London. 

“The London local HEE offices recognise the importance of these posts, which will be attached to relevant HEI’s, in supporting undergraduate placement and minimising student attrition. 

“In a financially constrained environment, it is vital that the student placement infrastructure within clinical services is fully supported, to ensure a sustainable workforce and to meet the aspirations of the independent cancer taskforce strategy for England.”

Charlotte Beardmore, Director of Professional Policy at the SCoR said: “It was shown in the 2012 National Cancer Action team CEL funded project published by the SCoR that the role of the practice educator therapeutic radiography students that receive helped support retention of students. from a practice educator helps contribute to a reduction in attrition. 

“The SCoR believes that CoR accredited practice educators should be accessible to all students, so we are pleased to hear the announcement of funding to support this.

“We do however believe it should be commonplace and funded long-term to help ensure England has sufficient therapeutic radiographers to support the growing service need.”