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Home > Explore roles > Healthcare science > Roles in healthcare science > Physical sciences and biomedical engineering > Clinical or medical technology in medical physics > Real-life story - Katharine Kenny

"In my role, I get to use my physics knowledge and work with advanced technology, but I’m also rewarded by knowing I’m helping people to get well. "

Katharine wanted to use her physics knowledge in a more applied way, so medical physics seemed like the perfect option for her.

Katharine Kenny

Trainee healthcare scientist

Employer or university
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
Salary range
£35k-£45k
Healthcare scientist Katharine Kenny
  • I studied physics at university and took options in medical physics and a Master's project in radiotherapy [1] drugs.  I wanted to use my physics knowledge in a more applied way, so medical physics seemed like the perfect option.

  • As a trainee healthcare scientist in medical physics, my job includes monitoring patients who have had radionuclide therapy and advising them about safety, measuring x-ray image quality and planning radiotherapy [1] treatments.

  • In my role, I get to use my physics knowledge and work with advanced technology, but I’m also rewarded by knowing I’m helping people to get well. I always loved science and particularly physics at school so when I got the chance I did a week of work experience in the Radiation Protection Department of King’s College Hospital, London – my local hospital.

    Having the chance to study for an MSc is an amazing opportunity and not something offered by many graduate schemes. In the workplace-based components, trainees get to take part in all the most interesting work of the department, as well as trying out small projects and observing clinical procedures.

  • If you like science and interacting with people, try and visit hospitals to find out about healthcare science jobs. And if possible talk to people in a variety of jobs about their day-to-day work and interests.


Source URL:https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/Explore-roles/healthcare-science/roles-healthcare-science/physical-sciences-and-biomedical-engineering/clinical-or-medical-technologist-medical/real-0

Links
[1] https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/glossary#Radiotherapy