Katie Flynn is a Clinical Specialist Radiographer and PACS Manager in University Hospital Waterford. She graduated from UCD in 2016 with a BSc in Radiography before beginning her career back home in Waterford. As a Diagnostic Radiographer, she worked in different modalities such as X-Ray, Fluoroscopy, Theatre, Nuclear Medicine and PACS. In 2020 she returned to UCD to complete a PG Cert in RIS PACS before taking over as PACS Manager in UHW in 2023.
Katie was South Diagnostic Imaging Rep on The Irish Institute of Radiography and Radiation Therapy (IIRRT) from 2017 to 2024. Her interests include information technology, audit, research and the development of the profession.
What inspired you to pursue a career in Radiography?
I always loved science in school and had a particular interest in the human body and health. In Transition Year, I started researching different careers that would interest me and I was looking at courses like medicine, nursing, physio - and it was my cousin who suggested Radiography. I completed a day of shadowing in UHW and it was that experience that sparked a real interest in the profession. It was the variety of the job, the different modalities you can work in and the patient contact that I really liked, and I knew it would be a career that I would find rewarding.
What was your favourite part of studying Radiography at UCD, and why?
I enjoyed the variety of modules we had over the four years and the hands-on experience in the labs in UCD and in clinical practice. The lecturers and tutors were excellent and are some of the leading educators in Radiography in Europe.
I also really enjoyed the electives that UCD encouraged where you could study a module outside your course. I did elective in subjects like Accounting and Psychology. UCD is such a busy and lively campus with opportunities to be part of so many different clubs and societies.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in Radiography?
It is rewarding and a privilege to be able to help people every day that you go into work. You are an important part of the patient’s journey and it is the patient who is at the core of all that we do. It is a constantly evolving profession which makes it exciting, but also requires you to stay trained and up to date with best practices and new equipment.
What were some of the highlights of your time at UCD?
The highlight has to be the amazing people that I met while in UCD - especially classmates, housemates and friends through sport. It is brilliant to keep up with all that my classmates and friends have gone onto achieve since we graduated, both in Ireland and around the world.
Another highlight was the opportunity to do Erasmus for a semester. Two of my classmates and I spent three months in Haarlem, Netherlands undertaking modules in Ultrasound. It was so interesting to experience Radiography education in another European city and to complete clinical placements there.
Tell us about your current role in University Hospital Waterford.
I am a Clinical Specialist Radiographer and PACS Manager in UHW. I am responsible for the management of NIMIS in UHW- this includes ensuring data accuracy and integrity, management of NIMIS hardware on site, configuration of new imaging equipment, setting up and training users and providing data on imaging volumes and waiting lists. We are in constant communication with our team in the department, with colleagues from other disciplines around the hospital, and with colleagues in other sites. It is a busy, dynamic and enjoyable job with a great team in UHW.
What’s the proudest moment of your career to date?
I was so happy to have the opportunity to further my studies in UCD, and I was particularly proud to achieve the PgCert in RIS PACS. It can be challenging to further your education along with a busy work schedule and on-call commitments, so it was great to complete something that I was really interested in and enjoyed.
Who have been the most inspiring mentors or advisors throughout your career, and how have they influenced you?
My parents have always been such a constant source of encouragement and support throughout our lives and our education. I have been so lucky to have been taught by and work with so many incredible people over the years. In UCD, we had brilliant lecturers and tutors who supported the learning of our group. I work with some of the best people you will meet and have been lucky to see throughout the years the dedication that healthcare staff bring to their jobs, especially through major crises such as Covid 19, extreme weather events, and the HSE cyberattack. The dedication, hard work and diligence of our team ensured patient care continued despite the challenges we faced.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge for radiographers in the future?
Technology is changing at a rapid pace - the job has changed so much in the 10 years that I have been in it. The demand for imaging continues to increase and it is essential to keep pace with this demand, and the advances in technology. We need to ensure that diagnostic imaging is fully available to our patients and of the highest standard.
What do you do to relax? Tell us a bit about your current life, family and hobbies.
I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends, keeping fit, running and reading.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Very early on in my career, I was told that “To be a professional, you must always be trying to improve the service you provide to your patients”. I have always kept this in mind, in day to day practice and when reflecting and thinking about the services we are involved in. Our priorities are always maintaining and promoting the highest standards of patient care and safety, and high quality diagnostic imaging. Regular audit, research, development of protocols and procedures, and dissemination of new learning and initiatives promotes best practice in the department which will improve patient outcomes.