Name: Ellie-Mae Dudfield Smith
Job Title: Radiographer and Radiology Clinical Tutor
What job(s) did you do before this?
This was my first post as a radiographer, but part-time jobs that I did before this include working behind a bar, working in a milkshake café, working in Morrisons and tutoring GCSE Chemistry!
Briefly describe a typical day in your job role (tasks carried out)
In my day as a Radiographer, I work with inpatients, outpatients, trauma patients, ED patients, forensic cases and students. I perform X-rays in the main department as well as on the wards and work in theatre for cardiac, orthopedic, and interventional surgery. I also work in fluoroscopy to create dynamic studies for the diagnosis of dynamic processes, such as swallowing, or to place tubes and lines, such as GJ tubes for feeding. Forensic cases I see can be in the main department or the mortuary. With regards to my clinical tutor role, I work alongside my colleague, Charlotte Harris, to take on our MSc and BSc cohort of radiology students and undertake their assessments. We also visit schools and the university to deliver paediatric-specific lectures. I do really love the variety of my job!
Have you had any special training/completed any qualifications?
I went to the University of Liverpool to do a BSc Diagnostic Radiography degree for 3 years and completed my training at Aintree Hospital. I have also trained at the Christie Hospital in Manchester, Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and now here at Alder Hey!
What would you say your key skills are? What type of person are you?
One of my key skills is my ability to learn and take things quickly due to my photographic memory! I enjoy learning new skills which have allowed me to become varied in my role as a Radiographer. However, people would say their favourite attribute about me is my positive outlook on life! I like to always bring positivity, kindness and smiles to my working day and into my team, hence my nickname of “Positive Penny”!