How to prepare for your first day as a locum radiographer

My first day working at any new facility is always quite nerve-wracking. I'm probably a naturally anxious person, but I tend to worry about the most unlikely scenarios - what if I oversleep? What if I can't find the hospital? What if I mess up quite badly? All unfounded. So, I created a small checklist of tips to help me get through my first day as a locum radiographer … and now I’ll share them with you.

So you have jumped through the first hurdle, and the hospital has hired you -because they need you. Now, it’s is your turn to deliver the product - yourself. You need to start by making an excellent first impression on the set of people who you’ll see more often than your family over the next few weeks, months, or even years!

• Be friendly. This is easier said than done, but smile and introduce yourself when meeting whomever you work with.

• Jot names down if you must. Everyone has one name to remember (yours), but you will have a minimum of a gazillion names to remember on your first day, so what's the best way to deal with this? I used a small trick of creating mnemonics with colleagues’ initials, as this also helped me remember their codes for booking out examinations. So far, I have "Justin Timberlake 5", "Sassy". Bear in mind these names have nothing to do whatsoever with the people's looks or personalities - it's just my own way of remembering their initials. So choose whatever works for you.

• Roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. In the blue-moon event that your department is quiet, don't stand around. There's always some cleaning to be done, stock to be replenished, and linen to be changed. Among permanent staff, the prevalent thinking is: "locums earn a fortune (not true!) so if it needs to be done, locums should be the ones doing it". Know this and know peace.

• Locate the departmental protocols. This should be your Bible and every department has one. Nine times out of ten, this will answer your "what views" questions. On your first day, you need to know where the protocols are, as you may find that you need to refer to them multiple times. Ask a senior staff member if the protocols don't answer your questions. While it is essential to get on with the job and present yourself as more of an asset than a liability, no one expects you to know it all - especially in a new environment. You must also remember that everyone - from the manager to the newly-qualified, also had a first day.

• Take a notepad and accept any training offered. As most hospitals do not have Imaging Archiving Systems (PACS) integrated to Dose Record systems, you will probably need login details for more than one system, including one to unlock the computer. So, unless you have a photographic memory, you may not be able to remember them all. Take a notepad to jot down passwords, door unlock codes, etc. You might be offered some software training - accept it, as no training is ever wasted, and it will help you do your job much more efficiently.

• Pay attention. They say we should listen twice as much as we talk, so unless you have a legitimate contribution to make, listen and absorb from your environment so that you can understand it a little better. Even if you feel that you know a better way to do this, fight the instinct to put this across too early so that you don’t come across as a show off. While you do need to show that you know your stuff, you can do this while communicating professionally and showing respect by listening intently and asking questions.

• Don’t complain. There’s bound to be a situation or two that grates on the collective nerve of staff. Other staff members are allowed a venting session. You’re not. You’re the person paid to take their workload problems away, so as harsh as it might sound, no one needs to hear what you have to moan about. Whether it's the parking situation, starting times, or a particular staff member, try not to complain. Rather than join in complaining, try to find a solution. Ask the right questions and get possible solutions as soon as you can.

• Don’t use/charge your mobile phone during working hours. I've actually heard the phrase "stealing hospital electricity" used before. It might sound ridiculous, but improper use of mobile phones in the workplace is fast becoming a problem. It’s best to keep yours out of sight, at least until lunchtime, in lieu of “the fortune” the hospital pays you in exchange for your time. Even if everyone seems to be doing it, you as a locum (on a different pay structure) will face more scrutiny for the same offence, so don't take the risk.

• Don’t get caught in work politics. I’ve hinted at this before, but this is worth reiterating for those at the back. If any politics is playing out, run a mile from it. You were drafted in to fill a role, so stick to your mission and get the job done. By all means, you can still maintain a friendly and open demeanour but whenever office politics raises its ugly head, take a back seat. You will always find happy, cheerful and motivated employees - you can't go wrong with having these people around.