DETERMINATION, hard work and enrolling in a course at Middlesbrough College put newly-qualified diagnostic radiographer Jess Milestone on a NHS career path.
She’s now urging others to follow in her footsteps to help tackle a national shortage of radiographers.
The 23-year-old has secured her dream job at Darlington Memorial Hospital and says without the help and support she received while studying at Middlesbrough College it wouldn’t have been possible.
Jess completed an Access to HE in Health Sciences at Middlesbrough College before completing a three year BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography degree at Teesside University, which involved academic study as well as clinical placements at James Cook University Hospital.
In her new role Jess will help diagnose illnesses and injuries using x-ray machines, ultrasound machines and other forms of imaging technology.
She said: “I’ve learned such a lot since I started studying four years ago, the progress you make and the skills you acquire are incredible.
“The Middlesbrough College course changed my life as it led to me gaining a place on the Diagnostic Radiography course at Teesside University.
“The skills I gained not only allowed me to go to university to study a course I love, but also gave me confidence and allowed me to start believing in myself after I’d previously failed A Levels at another college.
“The lecturers at the college were amazing and gave up so much of their time to every student on the course – their hard work really doesn’t go unappreciated!
“There’s a national shortage of radiographers so it’s a fantastic career to get into.
“Anyone thinking they don’t have the right qualifications or thinks it’s too late for them to retrain should talk to the staff at the college as they could take the same route I did.”
For more information about Access to Higher Education courses at Middlesbrough College call the Course Information Hotline on 01642 333700 or visit www.mbro.ac.uk