Our People In Radiotherapy Services

5 Minutes With Rachel Welsh, Junior Radiation Therapist

How does your day start?
My usual day starts at 8.20am and I will come in and do the morning checks on the machine to ensure everything is working properly before we begin treating patients. I then check the schedule for the day and ensure to make preparations for the patients coming that day.

Tell us about the team you work with.
I work with an amazing team who have welcomed me with open arms since I started here in January 2023. They are resilient, hardworking and create a fun and relaxed environment to work in. They are always here to help and support other members of staff in the more stressful times we can experience in the department.

What does your typical working day involve?
I currently work on the Orthovoltage unit which mainly involves treating certain skin cancers. I meet with my patients every day for the duration of their treatment and, along with another member of staff, set them up and deliver their radiotherapy treatment. I use the time with my patients to speak to them about how they are managing the treatment and advise them on how to combat any side effects they may experience. I also liaise with doctors and nurses in the department to ensure the patients receive the highest standard of care possible while on treatment with us.

What motivates you in your work?
I am motivated by seeing the positive impact that delivering a high standard of care has on our patients. Receiving positive feedback from patients motivates me to continue to ensure that these patients are always our main priority every day.

What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy the fact that we see most of our patients every day for a considerable length of time. I feel that this allows us to build a rapport with them that other professions may not get the chance to do. Giving patients an outlet to voice their worries and concerns about things which may even be outside of the treatment itself is extremely rewarding.

What advice would you give someone considering a career in Radiotherapy?
If you like the idea of mixing a technical and scientific job with patient care then this role would suit you very well. There are many different areas that you can work in, such as treatment planning, CT, information and support, brachytherapy and more. This mix of areas means each day will be different and allows you to explore different areas of cancer treatment and enables you to constantly learn new skills.