Dorset trust introduces therapeutic radiographer clinical career pathway to boost workforce
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust has embarked on a project to boost its recruitment and retention of therapeutic radiographers, with the support of Wessex Cancer Alliance. Working with Skills for Health and Health Education England South East, the trust has developed a structured clinical career pathway for therapeutic radiographers focused on breast cancer that will enable progression through to advanced and then consultant level of practice.
It is hoped that expanding and enhancing career progression routes will make a career in therapeutic radiotherapy more attractive to new recruits and help with the retention of current staff.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in the UK and it is a top priority to boost the workforce, according to head of therapy radiography David Frost: “Introducing this new clinical career pathway enables a therapeutic radiographer to progress all the way through advanced to consultant level, which is an exciting prospect professionally and also for the trust to encourage recruitment and retention and to support improved outcomes for patients.”
The Wessex Cancer Alliance is providing initial funding over a two-year period to support the advanced progression into consultant therapeutic radiographer roles.
Picture: Skills for Health senior consultant Dawn Probert and University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust head of therapy radiography David Frost.
See the full report on page 3 of the August 2023 issue of RAD Magazine.