It is a special occasion when more than a hundred radiographers and other healthcare professionals from across the United Kingdom crowd into a room in the House of Commons to celebrate the best of the profession.
This year’s awards promise to be the best yet with more competition than ever for the titles ‘Radiographer of the Year’, ‘Team of the Year’ and ‘Student Radiographer of the Year’.
It is the second year that awards will be made to a diagnostic and therapeutic student for ‘outstanding achievement during radiography training’.
“Many universities hold their own awards, but this is a national competition judged by key members of the profession, so the title is really unique,” explained Samantha Jewell, student officer for the SoR.
Last year’s therapy winner, Kate Claxton, agrees: “Winning the award has really boosted my confidence and it definitely helped me when it came to applying for a job,” she said.
Like many graduates, Kate, who now works at Cheltenham General Hospital, approached the job application process with some apprehension.
“There was really tough competition from my fellow graduates but having the commemorative certificate as part of my CV was an enormous help,” she said.
“I was nominated for the award for my academic achievements and my mentoring skills and this came up at both of the interviews I attended – it really gave me an advantage.
“And the ceremony at the House of Commons was fantastic,” she added.
The Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday 12 November 2009. The SCoR thanks Fujifilm for the continued support of the Radiography Awards.
