Yun Miao

"My personalities types were: coach, coordinator and trainer. I feel that these types match with me well. The underlying qualities that are fundamental to all 3 types are to do with working with people. According to these types, I work well with a wide range of people, I'm understanding and communicate well. These qualities are essential for what I do, because I work in a very multidisciplinary team, and communication between team members are essential for the patient pathway to work, and for patient treatments to run accurately and smoothly. Through these personality types, I am also organised, a good problem solver and good at simplifying complex information. Again, these are all qualities that are essential for what I do. Each day is different and as the day unfolds, unexpected things happen. In order to work efficiently in this environment, organisation is key. Problem solving and communicating problems to others is also key in finding solutions to issues that arise."

"I work in Radiotherapy Physics. I work in a dynamic, forward thinking team, in the field of cancer treatment. We use high energy X-ray beams (painless!) to target tumours in the body and we also treat skin conditions using lower energy X-rays and electrons (also painless!). The treatment plan is first created on the computer using treatment planning software and then this tells the machine how to deliver the treatment. These machines are high tech and they’re called linear accelerators. Our treatment planning software is also very clever and uses CT images to produce 3D dose calculations inside the body, so we can “see” the dose. "

"The initial spark came during my time at university, where I was studying physics. I started to look into a career that involved applying physics to medicine, and this initial spark came from a close friend of mine who was studying medicine at the time. Then I decided to take the medical physics, and magnetic resonance modules during my studies and really enjoyed them. During my second year summer holiday, I wrote to 12 different hospitals in London, looking for unpaid work experience in medical physics. Two places responded. Eventually I ended up with a seven week research placement in cardiac MRI. This was an incredible experience, that was not only challenging but really interesting. This was when I heard about the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP), from one of my colleagues during the placement. To find out more about this job, I joined a university trip to the local city hospital as part of the medical physics module that I was studying, where we got to tour different facilities such as MRI, X-ray, CT etc. I also attended an open day at a hospital for those who were considering applying to the STP. And this gave me a really good idea of what they're looking for in an applicant. I come under the umbrella of Clinical Scientist.To enter this profession, there are 2 options. One is through the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP), this is called direct entry and there is an in-take every year. Or you can apply for a role in a department (if the role is advertised) and train on the job (route 2). Both routes lead to registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). There are many different areas you can go into, if you’re interested to find out more, check out: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/study-and-training/graduate-training-opportunities/nhs-scientist-training-programme."

"I am a very creative person in my spare time. I used to play the piano and did all my grades, and since then I have taken a break from it, but I am planning to head back into the realm of music at some point. Also, I am a huge fan of podcasts and podcasting, and this is something I dedicate a lot of my time to. I also enjoy reading, especially books and articles on personal development, psychology and philosophy. To really relax, I enjoy just resting at home or socialising with friends on a hiking trip or to a restaurant. I think balance and variety in life is key!"

"There is never a dull day on the job. I may be working on the treatment machines to ensure they’re working correctly, or I may be at the desk creating a treatment plan. Other times, I’m doing project work, and other bits of tasks in between. Which is great if you like variety in your role and a healthy dose of exercise on the job too! "

"During sixth form, I took A levels in maths, physics and chemistry. With AS subjects in further maths and music. Then I went onto study business maths at LSE. However after a year of discovering that science (and not finance) was my true passion, I switched to studying physics at Warwick University. After university, I won entry on to the NHS Scientist Training Programme, where I trained for 3 years in medical physics, whilst studying a master's at KCL, before qualifying as a clinical scientist, specialising in radiotherapy. "