In this section
In This Section
What is your current role?
My current post encompassed transition to consultant level practice from a trainee level over the course of a couple years. This preceptorship period was vital as I was new to not only the role, but also the Trust. This training period ensured I was able to settle in, understand, actively participate in and start to routinely utilise the four pillars associated with consultant level practice; clinical practice, education, leadership & management and research & development.
My role as a CT Consultant Radiographer involves being an autonomous practitioner, independently reporting and providing neuro-specialist opinion on CT examinations. Being a Consultant Radiographer in CT also involves overseeing the operations of a busy and robust multi-site CT service, taking accountability of efficient service delivery and further developing advanced and enhanced clinical practice to improve provision of patient care within CT. This role includes a combination of clinical and non-clinical duties such as provision of specialist clinical advice, accessible leadership, support and guidance within not only Radiology, but also within multi-disciplinary and senior leadership teams across the trust, which aids establishment and adherence to suitable evidence-based practice. This post also involves contribution to departmental, trust and national guidelines, policies and procedures with critical examination of working practices and active involvement in radiology research initiatives, all of which enable development and maintenance of a regional and national profile for the trust.
What steps did you take to get to this role?
Training & expertise gained in multi-modality split of CT & MRI, this provided a great foundation of knowledge prior to undertaking PG Cert (PgC) and Dip (PgD). Followed by completion of Masters (MSc) level and independent research study. All of this was undertaken alongside full time employment, clinical reporting of CT heads and continued training and assessments. A more in-depth breakdown of education and employment has been provided below.
My motivation to progress within this specialty came from a desire to improve the quality, efficiency, and consistency of services. In addition, I have always been fascinated by the brain in terms of its overall anatomy and vast functionality, working in this environment highlighted areas where advanced clinical expertise and leadership could greatly enhance patient outcomes. Becoming a Consultant Radiographer was a long-term aspiration of mine once I became competent at reporting CT head scans and certainly not one I thought I would achieve at this stage of my career, if ever! This role provides me with the opportunity to lead innovation, develop pathways, support colleagues’ growth, and ensure the service continues to meet the evolving clinical needs of the population which are key motivational drivers for me as a professional and individual.
What support have you had?
Supportive peers and line managers are key, I have been fortunate enough to have had this in most places I have worked, whilst I have at most points in my career, been in the right place at the right time! This support has encouraged me to ask questions, probe policies/protocols, structure my learning, training and this has helped to formulate a positive learning environment which I have benefitted from as well as colleagues/peers afterwards. This support has also enabled structured training, competency assessments and significant improvements in my clinical practice which has allowed me to excel within my field of expertise and become more established, which in itself has presented opportunities to work alongside other fantastic radiographers across the region.
A facet I think is integral is mentorship. This is because having dedicated time for supervised practice, being able to shadow advanced practitioners/radiologists, having structured learning and targets alongside post-graduate courses aids development and is a resource to enable understanding of the day to day role and successful integration into the team once qualified.
The combination of robust mentorship and structured learning enabled me to enhance my confidence, competence, and professional growth. I now seek to provide comparable support to colleagues to ensure they have an appropriate environment in which to succeed. has helped me to be to channel my energy and passion into productive.
The landscape of the Radiography workforce has changed significantly over the last few years, particularly surrounding the degree of experience required for certain roles. It is widely acknowledged that you do not need to have been in the profession 20+ years to be deemed competent and proficient, something I was a beneficiary of when applying for roles in recent years. Alongside altered population and service needs, there is a strong desire to encourage more individuals to undertake enhanced, advanced and consultant level practice to safeguard healthcare and population needs are effectively met by those best placed to do so.
What do you find the most rewarding?
I love all elements of my role, even the stressful ones in reality! The most rewarding aspects if I had to pick a few are:
- Knowing that you’ve genuinely made a difference is the most rewarding part for me personally. Whether it’s developing protocols, enhancing safety, or streamlining pathways, seeing tangible improvements that benefit both patients and the wider team gives me a strong sense of purpose and achievement.
- Although the role can sometimes feel overrun by management or administrative tasks, it’s important to remember you can have a real impact and significant influence upon a patient, their pathway, and their outcome. It’s a huge responsibility, but one that I relish and feels brings a great sense of satisfaction and pride.
- I also find it deeply rewarding to see staff happy and thriving within their roles—something far more complex than it might seem. COVID in particular taught us valuable lessons about burnout, resilience, and the need to safeguard each other’s mental health, it provided significant food for thought and changed lives forever. Therefore, seeing continued camaraderie, unity, genuine care and support within the team, even when the pressures persist, is truly inspiring.
What advice might you give to others looking to take a similar pathway?
Every day presents a set of new challenges, always remain curious and use this to drive your experience and interactions. Use these challenges to learn, develop, adapt and improve. Focus on building a strong foundation in both clinical expertise and professional behaviours. Develop confidence in core CT skills first, then actively seek opportunities to take on more advanced responsibilities. Knowledge is key, take in as much as you can from your peers, be inquisitive and set realistic goals and career aspirations.
Be persistent, put your name forward for roles, seek mentorship from senior radiographers, advanced practitioners, or even consultants. Their guidance can help you identify the right opportunities and gain exposure to service development, teaching, and research—key components of a consultant role. Try to use these skills to help those around you and become a focal point for your peers, this is all a part of the development process and key to your ongoing understanding.
Be patient yet proactive. Progression can never really be measured in a straight line, but demonstrating initiative, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to improving patient care will create opportunities for you. Keep developing your portfolio, evidencing your impact and continuing to learn. The journey can be demanding, but it is highly rewarding.
An important one, take care of yourself first and foremost, mentally and physically, this is a crucial in the long-term. Take things one step at a time, don’t be too hard on yourself when things don’t go your way, no one is an overnight success and it’s important to have setbacks to enable you to improve and grow. Overall, don’t rush to be the most successful version of you, it’s a process and things will fall into place and opportunities will arise, you just have to be in the right place to take them.