Liam Mannion is the joint programme director on the BSc Radiography (Radiotherapy and Oncology) course at City, University of London. He leads a variety of modules including those based around radiotherapy techniques, principles of oncology, and radiobiology. He has previously worked as a Therapeutic Radiographer for the NHS and in private London hospitals.

Discovering Therapeutic Radiography
Biology was always my favourite subject; I was fascinated with how the body worked and knew I wanted to pursue a science related degree after school. I originally studied microbiology at University College Dublin. Afterwards, I obtained work in a pathology lab and gained valuable experience but ultimately felt that I would like a career where I had more personal contact with patients. Friends of mine had studied therapeutic radiography and I was aware of what radiotherapy entailed – the use of technology and direct contact with patients really appealed to me.

Academia
I studied therapeutic radiography as a postgraduate and was able to obtain my HCPC registration within two years. I really enjoyed the range of different topics I was exposed to and the opportunities I had to apply my theoretical knowledge whilst on clinical placement. My favourite aspect of clinical placement was the teamwork and I always felt a great sense of accomplishment helping patients through their treatments.

Working as a Therapeutic Radiographer
I started my first job at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospital, a large NHS foundation trust in South-East London. During my time there I had the opportunity to rotate through both clinical sites and gain a wealth of experience treating patients with all types of cancer. I then took up a senior position in a private hospital in West London and was fortunate enough to work with cutting-edge radiotherapy equipment. During my time there I was also involved in student supervision and had opportunities to present research at the National Cancer Research Institute Annual Conference – at the conference I was made aware of a lecturing position at City, University of London. I decided to become a lecturer as I thoroughly enjoyed teaching/mentoring students when I worked clinically. I also was keen to carry out more research and knew a lecturing position would offer me more opportunities to carry out research and further my education.

Lecturing at City
I currently lead on four modules on the undergraduate BSc Radiography (Radiotherapy and Oncology) course – the content of which is largely based around radiotherapy techniques, principles of oncology, and radiobiology. Radiobiology is a key area of interest for me as an academic – it is the study of the action of ionising radiation on organisms and the application in biology of radiological techniques. I am particularly interested in the effect radiation has on patients who receive radiotherapy or medical imaging for cancer.

I find modules that combine multiple topics like anatomy, physics, radiotherapy technique, radiobiology, and research are the most interesting (and challenging). For example, I lead a module that students undertake in their final year that revolves around progressive radiotherapy techniques – this module pushes students to combine all their previously learnt knowledge. Students are required to prepare a professional style academic poster on a specific malignant tumour site treated with a progressive radiotherapy technique using recent peer reviewed research.

Watching students develop over the three years is the most rewarding part of the job – especially when students gain their first clinical position. Many of which I end up working with as colleagues as they progress through the ranks of their clinical departments and start to train students themselves.

The Student Experience
Students can expect to take away a first-class education, clinical training from some of London’s best radiotherapy centres, and a sense of accomplishment that they are starting their own journeys as clinical practitioners.

Chris O’Sullivan is a lecturer and clinical coordinator for BSc Radiography (Radiotherapy and Oncology) at City, University of London. He works closely with our clinical partners to ensure students have great placement experiences, and has previously worked as a senior therapeutic radiographer at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) NHS Foundation Trust.

Discovering Therapeutic Radiography

I studied my first degree back home in Ireland – which focused on physiology and biochemistry. I’ve always known I wanted to work in healthcare and directly with patients. However, my studies up to that point had really only prepared me for the ‘background’ work – such as in a laboratory. I arranged for clinical visits to different hospital departments at which time I discovered the radiotherapy department. At the time I didn’t really know anything about this form of cancer treatment or how it was different to diagnostic radiography, but having spent a few days with the therapeutic radiographers I knew it was the career choice for me. It combined significant patient care responsibilities alongside medical knowledge and clinical skills.

Academia: studying at City, University of London

Having completed my first degree, I then moved to London to study BSc (Hons) Radiography (Radiotherapy and Oncology) here at City, University of London. The things that really stood out to me about my experience as a student at City included the breadth of clinical experience available on the programme thanks to City’s excellent partnerships with some of the largest teaching hospitals and private hospitals in the country. I also knew that the lecturers on the programme were completely invested in my progression on the programme and I was supported throughout my studies – for example I was able to have regular meetings with my personal tutor and link lecturer. This ensured that regardless of where I was at any particular time – either in the academic or clinical placement settings – that I always had a point of contact should I need it. The Clinical Skills Suite facilities available within the School of Health Sciences were also an excellent resource – ensuring I had the skills and confidence to perform well when I did go out on placement. My time on placement and in the wider University also allowed me to build amazing, lifelong friendships with my peers and students from other programmes. Another aspect which really stood out was the support we had as final year students with developing our employability skills. Not only were the University staff involved with this, but also the clinical staff who arranged mock interviews for us in the run up to the real ones! This gave me the confidence to perform to the best of my ability when it came to applying and interviewing for my first job as a qualified therapeutic radiographer! I was lucky enough to secure my first NHS job before I even qualified.

Working as a Therapeutic Radiographer

A few months before I qualified from City, University of London, I secured a job at one of the hospitals where I trained – University College London Hospitals (UCLH) NHS Foundation Trust. I worked there as a radiographer for a few years, before being promoted to the role of senior therapeutic radiographer, working primarily on the treatment units with patients receiving treatment for cancer and other conditions, as well as their families and significant others. Because radiotherapy students spend significant lengths of time on clinical placement I also became a member of my department’s education group – arranging and delivering various methods of support for students, such as lectures and practical activities in the department. This really fuelled my interest in education and when the role of lecturer became available at City, University of London I was really excited to start my career in education!

While working as a therapeutic radiographer I secured funding from Prostate Cancer UK to undertake additional studies. Juggling this with my full-time job was challenging but really rewarding. I completed my MSc in Prostate Cancer Care at Sheffield Hallam University. My thesis examined the effectiveness of couples-based psychosexual counselling and psychoeducation interventions in the management of sexual dysfunction and relationship function for prostate cancer patients and their partners.

Lecturing at City

I am the clinical coordinator for the therapeutic radiography programme – this means I work closely with our clinical partners and link lecturers to ensure students receive a high-quality experience when on their placements.

I teach across the programme – from the underpinning principles of radiotherapy in year one, through to dosimetry, treatment technique and imaging in years 2 and 3. As well as being the module leader for the clinical placement modules, I am also the module leader for the Health Policy & Quality Management and Holistic Patient Care modules.

I find the Holistic Patient Care module the most exciting to teach. Therapeutic radiographers must provide holistic care for all their patients. To do this effectively it is necessary to understand the psychological and social aspects of cancer and its treatment for a wide range of patients, families and carers – not just the physical and medical aspects. This module allows our final year students to develop their skills in this area by bringing together all their experience as students and individuals to ensure they can deliver truly patient-centred care.

For me the most rewarding part of the job has always been making a difference. When I worked clinically I knew I was having a positive impact on patients and their families as they went through a difficult time in their lives. Working in education means that I am equipping my students with the skills they need to have such rewarding careers. When I visit radiotherapy departments it is great to catch up with former students and see them looking after their own patients and the current students.

The Student Experience

We prepare our students for a rewarding and fulfilling career as a therapeutic radiographer! Students benefit from all of the opportunities and support that I myself found so important during my own undergraduate studies at City, including the breadth of clinical placement opportunities, regular support from personal tutors and link lecturers, and training with specialist facilities within our clinical skills suite.