ISRRT_COVID-19_book
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How my professional role has changed (from a student to a<br />
Mohammed Bhana<br />
qualified radiographer) in the face of <strong>COVID</strong>-<strong>19</strong><br />
The transition from being a student to a qualified radiographer is a well-documented, difficult<br />
process. By utilising techniques such as a preceptorship programme can help the process to<br />
flow smoothly at a speed comfortable for each individual. That is, if the situation was the<br />
same as the years prior to the <strong>COVID</strong>-<strong>19</strong> pandemic. Although <strong>COVID</strong>-<strong>19</strong> brought about many<br />
changes, it also added insurmountable pressure to the national healthcare system (NHS).<br />
<strong>COVID</strong>-<strong>19</strong> resulted in newly qualified staff working in an ambiguous and intense environment<br />
(more so than it would have been prior to the pandemic) whilst also meeting the demands of<br />
the service – despite its many changes - and provide excellent healthcare for all patients.<br />
Under normal circumstances, the preceptorship programme maps out a systematic, strategic<br />
process which enables the newly qualified radiographer to apply and embed the skills learnt<br />
throughout their 3 years in training to become a competent, confident autonomous<br />
practitioner. In addition to this, the process to support a newly qualified practitioner is built<br />
on the foundation that the new member of staff would be assigned to a designated<br />
experienced radiographer – the preceptor. However, during a global pandemic the<br />
circumstances became anything but what was once considered ‘normal’, which immediately<br />
affected the workflow and workload in NHS Trusts across the UK. This changed suddenly and<br />
it would be very difficult to find someone dedicated to mentor the same person, hence<br />
working effectively as a team with anyone experienced would enable a newly qualified<br />
radiographer to develop and apply their skills. Where once a preceptor would support a newly<br />
qualified radiographer, the support network evolved to what it had become as a two-way<br />
pattern; the preceptor would support the newly qualified radiographer to develop their skills<br />
and the newly qualified radiographer would support the team by working with anyone to help<br />
support the workload and carry out tasks in areas they were confident in. What was<br />
considered routine examinations had been superseded by an immense number of patients<br />
who were either suspected or confirmed <strong>COVID</strong>-<strong>19</strong>, this was anything but routine.<br />
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