Tell me about your journey with Alliance – where did you start, where are you now?

I joined Alliance as a Unit Manager in 2001 and I am still a Unit Manager but far more experienced having had the support to develop additional managerial and clinical skills. I have seen many changes and challenges around the recruitment, retention and training of MRI radiographers and believe the current graduate programme is the most important, effective and rewarding process for attracting talented radiographers at the start of their radiographic career.

How do Alliance Medical support graduates throughout their career?

There is a dedicated support structure for graduates - starting from the very moment they express an interest in joining Alliance Medical as a graduate radiographer. We have a highly effective undergraduate placement programme and key relationships with a forward-thinking group of collaborative Universities. There is a dedicated programme of training and learning, underpinned by bespoke training modules. 

There is a clear direction of travel for graduates followed by an emphasis on on-going continued professional and personal development. Once graduates have completed their graduate training programme, they are able to apply for senior imaging roles within Alliance Medical.

Do graduates have the opportunity to move in different directions within Alliance Medical; or gain experience in a range of areas?

Absolutely. One of the key motivators for us in developing graduate radiographers is to train and retain staff as part of a resilient workforce. We have many opportunities for developing other imaging skills and are supportive of graduates who wish to train across multiple imaging modalities.

How important are graduates to Alliance Medical?

Graduates are very important to Alliance Medical and are a key component in developing and retaining a skilled workforce - allowing us to provide the very high standard of imaging that our partners in healthcare delivery expect. The graduate scheme on a local level also allows team managers to identify and attract skilled and motivated undergraduate radiographers, who would benefit from the support and training Alliance can offer. 

What is at the heart of Alliance Medical?

This is an interesting question, and the emphasis can change dependant on the subject matter. For me, I would hope that innovation and excellence are the key drivers. The graduate scheme we are discussing is also an example of Alliance Medical being forward thinking- developing dovetailed undergraduate placement and graduate programmes to identify, recruit, train and support imaging healthcare professionals with the ultimate aim of maintaining and enhancing patient care.