My name is Jennie, and I am a therapeutic treatment radiographer. I have worked in two centres over the nine years that I have been qualified: I worked in Canterbury, a satellite centre to the Kent Oncology Centre and Velindre Cancer Centre (where I am now).
Jennie Towell - Therapeutic Radiographer
What can you tell us about your role as a radiographer?
Within the department we care for a range of patients with varying cancer diagnoses, with my main job being to deliver safe radiotherapy treatment. The patients we treat vary in age, the youngest I have treated having been 18 months and the eldest over 100 years old! Where they are in their treatment pathway is also something which is individual to each patient. Many are undergoing curative treatment, but we do also have the privilege of helping those who are in their end stages of life. This is something I find particularly rewarding.
Are there other areas you are involved with?
Here in Velindre we are a teaching hospital. This means I have the opportunity to train the next generation of therapy radiographers.
To achieve the best care and outcome for our patients we work in teams, not only within our own department but with all the other staff groups within the hospital.
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is seeing so many different people and having the privilege of supporting them through some of the most difficult times of their lives. Being able to build a rapport with them and help them come out of the other side of treatment, truly making a difference is so fulfilling.
What made you choose this career path?
I chose this career because my grandfather had radiotherapy when I was younger. He always commented on how lovely the staff were and how they made him feel at ease and comfortable, during a very challenging time. I wanted to be able to care for people in this way and make these connections on a real level.
Our job does have other scientific and technical elements, but it’s the patients and the team that make me feel my job is so worthwhile.
What are your hopes for the future?
I have been lucky enough to study palliative care up to a Masters level and hope to continue my work in this area. Improving peoples’ quality of life at the end of life has become my passion!