Hi, I’m Timi, a first-year student pursuing a degree in Diagnostic Radiography! My course includes several placements across the three years of study, providing vital experience and practise in real-world settings.
Here, I share my experience of my first university placement and give you a glimpse into what a typical day is like.
About My First University Placement
My first placement took place in February 2025 at North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) in Carlisle, and lasted for several weeks. I participated in various orientation sessions and training activities to facilitate familiarisation with the trust.
The university organises students into rotation schedules across different hospitals, overseen by a clinical tutor. On this placement, I was assigned to the Radiology department, which comprises various units organised according to modality, including X-ray, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound, Fluoroscopy, Angiography, and Dental and Maxillofacial Imaging.
I decided that driving would be the easiest way to travel to my placement, but there were other options available.
A Typical Day on Placement
On my first day, I observed a total hip replacement procedure in the operating theatre. Furthermore, I was granted permission to observe qualified radiographers operating a fluoroscopy device to assist the orthopaedic surgeon. During the procedure, multiple images were captured – these served as evidence of the operation and were used in the patient's post-operative care.
This instance marked my first observation of a surgical procedure on a patient, wherein I gained insight into the use of prosthetics to replace damaged hip components. My prior familiarity with prosthetics was derived from a classroom session that displayed images of AP projections of the hips.
After spending a day in the theatre, I shadowed a qualified radiographer in the X-ray room to practically apply classroom knowledge. I adhered to all protocols when capturing patient images with an X-ray tube. Under supervision, I managed X-ray requests based on the specific area of interest outlined in the patient's clinical history; most X-rays focused on the chest, pelvis, and knee.
After each X-ray, I recorded information on a specialised storage system directly linked to a trust storage server. Data from this server is accessible to all radiologists within the trust to support patient care decisions. As a radiographer, my role is to image patients with justification, following the ALARA principle (as low as reasonably achievable) whenever using an X-ray tube.
A Valuable Learning Experience
This placement has increased my confidence in communicating with service users of various ages and backgrounds, including children as young as two. Interacting with real patients is helping to prepare me for my future as a qualified radiographer as well as enhancing my academic progress.
Ready to Learn More?
Interested in studying Diagnostic Radiography or one of our other healthcare degrees? There's still time to join us this September! Visit our Clearing Hub for more information on how to apply.
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