John McInerney | Radiographer
My name is John, I am a radiographer originally from Ireland. I currently work part time as a lecturer at Monash Uni in Melbourne and part time night shift radiographer in the ED of the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH). You may even recognise me from the Channel 9 series, episode 2 of “Emergency”, I even had a line, “X-ray there folks” in a trauma setting :). Pictured are some of the amazing night shift team at RMH, to acknowledge the fact that one never works alone but we are all crucial parts in providing safe care for patients. There is a great team environment at RMH and this picture epitomises this, this was before mask wearing was compulsory but COVID-19 was just rearing its head in Victoria :). I’m top left.
Why did you go into radiography?
I think I am probably like a number of people in radiography or any profession for that matter, at 17 years of age when I started to really consider options I was a bit uncertain of what I wanted to do really other than somehow be helpful in the world. I had no idea what healthcare involved really as no-one in my family was involved in healthcare at that point. I did a week of work experience in the University Hospital Limerick in Ireland. A shout out to all the radiographers there who showed me their passion for the job and the environment in which they worked. They piqued my interest and the rest, as they say …
Why do you enjoy your profession?
There are so many things to enjoy about the profession. One thing I love about the profession is how flexible it is, in so many ways. If you like people contact, if you love physics (which would be unusual), if you like to and/or need to work nights (as I do), if you like computers or technology, if you are a social person and like to work with like minded people who are also your friends, if you are aiming for some flexibility in your life to explore other things (as I do), the list goes on. I enjoy the camaraderie of a hospital environment but do love the relative solitude of a night shift where I feel more in control of my workload. Radiography has been able to afford me this flexibility both professionally and even in my personal life this flexibility has been great. Radiography has allowed me to travel to Australia on a few occasions now and be able to support myself, I have been in the enviable position to be able to take extended periods of time off to do some charity work I always wanted to do and also to be primary carer for our kids when my wife’s work was much more demanding in the need to return to full time work.
What inspires you?
People! People inspire me. I have been lucky to work with the most amazing people. Lucky is probably not the right word mind you as radiography is full of amazing people, but I was lucky that the right people were there at the right time when it came to supporting me in my role. I am also really inspired by students and this is why I do what I do, teaching at the Uni. I think students now enter into a much more complex environment than when I left University and they are some of the smartest and dedicated people I know. I remember a student filling me in on how their days at Uni generally pan out, this was prior to COVID-19. They woke up at 6 am and started their day with close to a two hour public transport journey, getting home at 7 pm on most days and then having to do some chores, eat supper and all before sitting down to do some study. The strength of will and character to go to these lengths to be a good radiographer, I think this inspires me and certainly fills me with pride when they succeed.
Talk us through a day in your job.
I will talk about my University role here as I do spend most of my time there now. Things fluctuate a lot at the Uni depending on exams etc, it goes from just regular busy to super busy I would say. Generally though my days have a certain timbre to them. I am lucky that my wife does the morning school routine generally and I then do the evenings and collect the kids from after school care as she will get in late. I generally start my days early to capitalise on this arrangement. I am trying to complete a PhD and try get to some PhD work between 6-8 or so, reading, writing, analysing data, professional development hours etc. Then I switch to University business, which involves things like setting up the Moodle space, lecture delivery, skills lab sessions, setting and correcting exams and clinical workbooks, timetabling, setting up clinical placements, and so on.
John is a Vic member of ASMIRT.
Why did you go into radiography?
I got into radiography by making a mistake in typing a course code when applying for university. Initially I wanted to study medicine or physiotherapy, and had no idea what medical imaging was. I accepted the offer nevertheless, and despite finding the first 6 months challenging, I
Why do you enjoy your profession?
I enjoy radiography for its technical nature and specific skill, and also because we wear many hats from other professional areas like medicine, nursing, IT and business management. It can be quite interpersonal and I feel a sense of satisfaction when I get to help people and work as part of a team. I am also fascinated by the pathology we see working in a major public hospital, its always interesting.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by life! I’m mad for keeping fit and strong as my Olympian background is forever ingrained in me. I have my own small coffee roasting business called @rabbitholecoffeeroasters plus I’m a passionate wine consumer and collector. If I’m not studying for MRI, I love gardening or cooking up a storm with my fiancé Sam.
Talk us through a day in your job:
A day in my job – hooning into work with a coffee in hand, checking the list for the day, making multiple phone calls and scanning many patients. My x-ray shifts are varied, I can be bounced all around the hospital from the resuscitations rooms, mobile xray rounds, theatre work and xray rooms. The phone is always ringing and the shifts can be fluid and unpredictable, but I have a great team of rads who make it awesome no matter what.
#ProudToBeARadiographer
Laura Adamson | Radiation Therapist
Why did you go into medical radiation science?
I decided to become a Radiation Therapist due to the close impact Cancer had on my family. I lost my Dad as a teenager to this disease and my younger brother is a childhood cancer survivor.
Why do you enjoy your profession?
I enjoy being part of such a multidisciplinary team that makes up radiation oncology and the professional relationship we create with our patients as we come alongside patients and their family during this part of their treatment journey.
I love people and its a role that is full of people interaction.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by people who show excellence in the way they carry themself, and I believe that every decision and conversation I have, is driven by the want to see the best care for my patients.
Talk us through a day in your job.
Andrew Kilgour | Lecturer in Medical Imaging & Radiographer
Why did you go choose Radiography?
I had just dropped out of an engineering degree and was looking for something that would be a stable career. My sister’s then-husband is a radiographer and I did a day’s work experience with him and decided it was for me.
Why do you enjoy Radiography?
I enjoy the diversity of Radiography and also feeling that I’m helping people. Now that I am in academia, I love helping train the next generation of radiographers and helping them catch a vision of what their careers could become.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by students who struggle academically but never give up because they have caught a vision of what they could become as a radiographer.
Talk us through a day in your job.
Answer emails, prepare classes, tech lectures and tutorials, organise staff meetings, write research papers, supervise honours students, mentor new academics, and sometimes go and work my clinical job until midnight after that.
Andrew is a NSW member of ASMIRT.
Gary Denham | Radiographer
Why did you go choose Radiography?
I started radiography relatively late, I started uni when I was 32. I chose radiography because I wanted to work with cutting edge technology and work in health. It was the perfect choice for me.
Why do you enjoy your profession?
I enjoy radiography because of the challenges it presents. You must ensure the patient is at the centre of everything you do and at the same time produce high quality diagnostic images that will enable clinicians to determine outcomes and treatment. You have to be able to alter your technique to overcome difficulties that arise from issues like pain, trauma, infection control risks and altered mental state to mention just a few. The ability to communicate effectively is the key to success in our role. The ability to build rapport in a short time ensures the patient will feel as though they are in safe hands.
What inspires you?
The patients are what inspires me to do this job. Working in healthcare has taught me that someone is ALWAYS worse of. We often meet people on the worst days of their lives and how we interact with that patient could have a profound impact on their memory of the event. To see how patients overcome, or succumb, to injury and illness never ceases to amaze me. To see patients face the adversity that only health issues can present is what inspires me to keep doing the job I’m doing.
What could a day in your job involve?
I work in a small rural hospital in an area with one of the highest median aged populations in the country. Due to our aged population a lot of our daily workload involves a lot of stroke imaging and fractures of the hip, neck of humerus and distal radius. During the winter months we see many cases of pneumonia. Another regular occurrence of working in a rural setting are injuries involving horses and livestock. The nature of work has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have been imaging many more ‘handyman at home’ injuries like “circular saw vs finger” and no weekend sporting injuries. Like all frontline health workers during this pandemic infection control is paramount, especially with our area’s vulnerable aged population.
Siena Maurici | Graduate Radiographer
Why did you go into Radiography?
I chose to become a radiographer for various reasons. First and foremost, I always wanted to help others. I knew that a career in radiography would provide me with the opportunity to positively contribute to patients’ experiences within the healthcare system, an element that (I believe) makes for long-term job satisfaction.
Working overseas has always been a dream of mine so pursuing a career where my qualifications and skills would be recognised internationally was a no-brainer. The opportunities in medical imaging are endless with many specialist areas to choose from.
Why do you enjoy your profession? / What inspires you?
Varied and challenging, radiography is never just black or white. Every day presents new challenges in the form of difficult patient presentations or unique cases, each requiring the effective use of problem-solving skills to provide an individualised service and attain imaging of diagnostic quality.
I enjoy that the role of a radiographer is both technical and heavily reliant on soft skills, all of which are important in providing patient-centric services.
Driven by the latest research and technological advancements, the profession is always evolving and engagement in continued professional development is an absolute must. I thoroughly enjoy this component of the job, gaining inspiration to refine my own professional practice and optimise the care I provide to patients as a result.
My peers. I am a strong believer in that you are who you associate with so feel fortunate to be surrounded by individuals fostering a positive, growth culture in both a personal and professional capacity.
Meeting patients from all walks of life.
What could a day doing your job involve?
As a graduate radiographer, I predominantly perform and evaluate general, dental and bone densitometry examinations. I rotate across multiples sites, providing imaging services to a range of patient presentations including paediatrics.
My training in both CT and Mammography is ongoing. I perform unenhanced CT examinations and assist senior radiographers with contrast-enhanced CT examinations including performing IV cannulation. In addition, I collaborate with radiologists to assist with interventional procedures under CT guidance including foreign body removals, and fluoroscopic procedures including barium swallows.
I perform and evaluate mammograms (both standard and supplementary views) and work closely with the breast radiologists at the Australian Breast Centre.
Siena is a NSW member of ASMIRT.
