Natalie Cooper-Rayner

"The personality types that came up from my quiz match well with me. I have to work with different staff groups within the hospital, so being a coordinator is useful so I can communicate effectively especially when discussing complex scientific information. Being organised is essential to stay on top of my training! Quality controller fits in really well with my job role; a huge part of a Medical Physicist’s job is quality control and checking imaging equipment is working properly. Managing risk is greatly involved too; I help make decision on minimising radiation risk to patients and their family members which involves keeping people safe. I am a perfectionist and love attention to detail.Simplifying complex information is another key aspect of my role where being a trainer suites well; I may have to explain radiation risk and policies to patients and less familiar staff groups. I work with others to try and improve the patient’s outcomes so being a good listener, understanding and helpful are all key."

"I am training to become a Clinical Scientist in the NHS, working in Nuclear Medicine Physics and Diagnostic Radiology. This involves working in a hospital and training for 3 years, while studying for a MSc degree funded as part of my training. The starting salary for my job is £31,365.My work in the hospital revolves around the use of radiation for imaging patients and treating illnesses such as cancer. A big part of my role is quality control, which involves checking that imaging equipment such as gamma cameras and CT scanners are performing correctly. Other work involves explaining radiation safety and risk to patients, assisting with administration of therapies, calculating radiation doses and updating local documents and procedures to improve imaging and radiation safety in the department. I get to combine my knowledge of physics and interest in radiation with helping to improve patient outcomes which is highly motivating for me, I feel like I’m making a difference to other people’s lives while doing something I enjoy! "

"I loved physics and maths during school, studying these at A-Level. When choosing a degree, Physics seemed the natural choice as it was a strength of mine, however I was torn between that and a Biology based degree due to having an interest in healthcare and helping people with my knowledge.I studied for a BSc in Physics at the University of Surrey. I worked as an Aerosol Scientist Intern at Philips Respironics Respiratory Drug Delivery for a year as part of a Placement Year/ Sandwich year during my BSc degree. This was a great experience getting to carry out real work in a lab testing nebulisers. I really enjoyed the aspect of feeling like I was making a difference by carrying out work of benefit to people with respiratory diseases, however missed using my physics knowledge. While searching for jobs for my placement year, I came across the NHS Scientist Training Programme. This caught my interest as it seemed to combine my desire to work in healthcare with my physics knowledge. In my final year I studied a module on Medical Imaging in my third year and visited the local hospital Medical Physics department, which I loved and confirmed my aspirations to work as a Medical Physicist.I applied for the training programme in my final year of university, and got a place working at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. I am now over a year and a half into my training to become a Clinical Scientist."

"I love baking, reading, travelling and exploring new areas. My main passion outside of work is bouldering (rock climbing at low heights with no ropes); it is a great workout that doesn’t feel like exercise, and involves a lot of problem solving as you have to figure out how to climb the route. It is a great social activity too- everyone is so friendly and supportive at the climbing gym even if they don’t know you, and it is how I’ve made a lot of friends when moving to a new city!"

"My typical day can vary a lot. Some days will be spent at my computer, carrying out work such as calculating radiation doses to patients, or writing up about things I’ve seen and been involved in in the department previously as evidence for my training portfolio. Other days can involve helping to carry out routine quality testing on gamma cameras and other equipment, taking images of test objects that replicate patients, or observing other physicists explaining radiation safety advice to patients undergoing Nuclear Medicine procedures in the department. I spend four days a week working on workplace competencies, and one day a week is spent studying for my MSc degree."

"A-Levels: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, General StudiesAS Level BiologySilver CREST Award Undergraduate degree: BSc (Hons) Physics with a Placement Year at University of SurreyCurrently studying for an MSc Clinical Science (Imaging with Ionising Radiation) at Newcastle University as part of my training."