Navigating Clinical Placements
Throughout your professional career, you will have to go onto placements. These clinical internships are an invaluable opportunity for you to not only apply theoretical knowledge in a real world setting, but to also meet new people in the field of radiography. Through the act of practice & experience, you will learn how to navigate through placement!
Below are some tips for students going on placement:
Preparation is the KEY
If you are a new student to the practical world, it is expected to be a little bit nervous and scared to step into unfamiliar territory. That is completely fine!
Throughout the duration of your degree, you should complete 6-8 different clinical placement periods, depending on your university. In these sessions, you will gain a mixture of experiences in both the public hospitals and private practices. By the end of your degree, you should already feel comfortable in any workplace environment.
Introduce Yourself
When you are given your placement site, take time to write an email to your placement site supervisor in advance to confirm details with them, like their start times, dress codes, parking, etc.
💡It is considered to more preferred and professional to arrange a phone call with your supervisor!!
Ensure before you go onto placement, you have all your compliance documents – vaccination record, First Aid/CPR certificate, etc.
Be Proactive
When you meet your radiography supervisor, ensure you understand clearly the objectives for your placement and what you want to get out of it.
Instead of shadowing your radiography supervisor and staff radiographer peers for the whole time, it is important to place your best foot forward and show your willingness to learn about everything. You are never going to get this experience again, so it is essential to understand everything.
If you have no patients for a short period of time, stay engaged by cleaning equipment, restocking supplies, or studying past patient cases.
Supervisors value initiative!!
💡Placements are ultimately job interviews! Good
impressions do matter.
Feedback
There are a few ways for you to practise on placement:
- Practise explaining the procedures to patients
- Observe how the professionals interact and communicate to their patients
- Notice how other radiographers adapt their techniques based off their patients
Use challenges as learning opportunities. At the end of the day, every internship is a lesson for you to practise and build your skills.
Final Insight
Although it can be a tiring job as a radiographer, it is an extremely rewarding career! The people you work with may, one day, be your supervisors, so it is vital to show your committment to your career.