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.
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