• Always look keen. Even if you’re not. When a request form is put in the box, or pops up on a screen at least look at it. If you can’t do it, ask a Radiographer if you can watch them, or ask them to help you do it.  Radiographers don’t like it when a student needs to be asked to do an examination.

 

    • Introduce yourself to the team that you are working with, let them know your year level and your interest. Standing quietly in the corner and not being noticed will not be a rewarding experience.

 

    • Have a guess at what the clinical information means. It doesn’t matter if you’re wrong; at least you’re trying.

 

    • If you don’t know anything, say so. Say what projections you would do, if you know how. If you know a centring point, quote it. Tell the Radiographer what you’re planning.

 

    • When on mobiles come in early to help with the rounds and if rostered to theatre, get changed into theatre attire first thing, so that you are ready to go theatre at a moment’s notice.  Let the mobiles and theatres TL know you have been rostered there. Don’t put your Luxel in the laundry.

 

    • Use one radiographer at a time. Whoever you showed the request form should, where possible, be the one who checks your image(s). If they can’t, tell whoever checks your film which radiographer checked the form. When rostered with a radiographer, stay with that person for the whole day, or time period you are allocated to them.

 

    • You’ll probably see radiographers doing examinations in ways you haven’t learned before. They’ll tell you it’s the best way to do it and then, 10 minutes later, someone else will tell you a completely different way that works for them.  Observe, discuss and learn. Be careful to show you are learning about their practice, not questioning their competence.

 

    • Working with other students is more cosy and fun, but should be avoided. They haven’t got much to teach you – the radiographers have.

 

    • Regularly have student assessment forms filled out, at least 1 or 2 per week, preferably from a different radiographer each time. This allows a more accurate assessment of your progress at RAH. A good time to ask for them to be done is at 3:30pm, when the afternoon shift arrives and there are more people around.

 

    • Own up. Everyone makes mistakes. If you do, own up. Apologise and try to recognise why you made the mistake.

 

    • If you are late, someone will notice, so find the team leader in charge of your area and make your apologies and excuses.

 

    • Negotiate when you are having your lunch break. Most of the time nobody will mind when you have it, but avoid appearing inflexible.  The most important considerations will be what works best for workflow and your adequate supervision.

 

    • Radiography can be difficult. Adjusting to being on placement after being at University can be especially hard. Do not be afraid to ask for help from the clinical supervisor or any radiographer you find you get on with. Don’t suffer in silence.

 

Last modified: Thursday, 20 August 2020, 11:49 AM