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.
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