Melanie Clarkson BSc (Hons), PgCE, MSc, SFHEA
Senior Lecturer
Summary
I qualified in 1999 from the University of Central England in Birmingham. Upon qualifying, I started work at the then named South Cleveland Radiotherapy Department.
Throughout the years I have moved through the ranks from basic grade to Superintendent Radiographer. I have always had a passion for education and training and having worked as a secondee for SHU for a number of years I left to join SHU in 2014.
My role has evolved to include Advanced Clinical Practice, primarily for Therapeutic Radiographers, but also for all nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals.
In addition to my university role, I also work nationally with the centre for advancing practice as a reviewer and also work with the development group on the Non Surgical Oncology Framework for Advanced Clincial Practice.
About
I am a qualified Therapeutic Radiographer registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.
I have 15 years of clinical experience working at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. As a superintendent my role encompassed the development of 2D imaging in the department and the completion of staff training.
For the last 15 years I have also been the educational support for the pre registration students in the Radiotherapy Department in Middlesbrough.
I am passionate about the clinical development of the under graduate students and the progression of qualified staff who are inspiring in pushing the boundaries of enhanced, advanced and consultant practice. This is now where my expertise lies and something I really enjoy.
Teaching
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
Subject area or group:
- Health And Wellbeing
- Radiotherapy and Oncology
- Cancer
- Advanced Clinical Practice
Courses:
- I teach on both the BSc and pre reg MSc under graduate programmes
- Lead on the MSc Advanced Clincial Practice Radiotherapy and Oncology Programme
- Portfolio lead for the Higher Degree Apprenticeship MSc Advanced Clincial Practice
- I am a dissertation supervisor for under graduate and post graduate students.
Modules:
- Expert Practice for Extended Roles
- Advancing Specialist Practice
- Higher Degree Apprenticeship ACP Portfolio
Research
Current research projects:
- Resilience
- Resilience based clinical supervision
- Professional identity
- Educational framework development
Selected research projects:
- HEE non surgical oncology framework
- Resilience based clinical supervision
Clarkson, M., Heads, G., Hodgson, D., & Probst, H. (2019). Does the intervention of mindfulness reduce levels of burnout and compassion fatigue and increase resilience in pre-registration students? A pilot study. Radiography, 25 (1), 4-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2018.08.003
Thompson, E., & Clarkson, M. (2016). Investigating patient recruitment to radiotherapy clinical trials. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice, 15 (3), 232-238. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1460396916000224
Bayles, H., Collins, M., & Clarkson, M. (2016). How can the aetiological factors of rectal distension be managed to reduce interfraction prostate motion during a course of radiotherapy treatment. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice, 15 (1), 76-84. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1460396915000436
Publications
Journal articles
Duffton, A., Harnett, N., McNair, H.A., Bennett, E., Clarkson, M., Guilherme Couto, J., ... Tsang, Y. (2024). RTT advanced practice and how it can change the future of radiotherapy. Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology, 30. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100245
Macarthur, V., & Clarkson, M. (2023). Exploring collaboration in the implementation of a national assessment strategy: perspectives of advanced practice educators. International Journal for Advancing Practice, 1 (3), 111-116. http://doi.org/10.12968/ijap.2023.1.3.111
Clarkson, M., Heads, G., Hodgson, D., & Probst, H. (2019). Does the intervention of mindfulness reduce levels of burnout and compassion fatigue and increase resilience in pre-registration students? A pilot study. Radiography, 25 (1), 4-9. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2018.08.003
Thompson, E., & Clarkson, M. (2016). Investigating patient recruitment to radiotherapy clinical trials. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice, 15 (3), 232-238. http://doi.org/10.1017/S1460396916000224
McLean, M., McCabe, P., & Clarkson, M. (2015). Improving assessment and review: a radiographer-led review of cancer services at The James Cook University Hospital. An overview. Imaging and Therapy Practice, 18-22. https://www.proquest.com/docview/1756227167/fulltext/F8FCFECC64044B51PQ/1?accountid=13827
Bayles, H., Collins, M., & Clarkson, M. (2015). How can the aetiological factors of rectal distension be managed to reduce interfraction prostate motion during a course of radiotherapy treatment. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice, 15 (1), 76-84. http://doi.org/10.1017/s1460396915000436
Clarkson, M., & Hodgson, D. (2006). Cancer patients’ perceptions of a ‘breast gown’. A qualitative study. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice, 5 (2), 97-107. http://doi.org/10.1017/S1460396906000136
Clarkson, M. (2000). The design of linear accelerators. A study of staff preference. Synergy, 17-19. https://www.proquest.com/docview/212417163/fulltextPDF/659ADA1B30FD4660PQ/1?accountid=13827
Conference papers
Van Zyl, D., Clarkson, M., Hanwell, J., Cooley, B., Pal, A., Lai-Kwon, J.E., & Stapleton, S. (2021). An exploratory qualitative study to describe the experience of using a question prompt list for patients in early phase clinical trials (Abstract only). Annals of Oncology, 32 (S5), S1259. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2021.08.633
Clarkson, M. (2018). Does the intervention of mindfulness reduce levels of burnout and compassion fatigue and increase resilience in pre-registration students? A pilot study. In Annual Radiotherapy Conference, Newcastle, 27 January 2017 - 29 January 2017.
Clarkson, M., & Hodgson, D. (2006). Cancer patients’ perceptions of a ‘breast gown’. A qualitative study. In Radiotherapy in Practice 3, Sheffield, 9 September 2006 - 10 September 2006.
Presentations
Clarkson, M. (2021). Looking out for Staff: A Wellbeing Toolkit. Presented at: Radiate Virtual Conference, Online, 2021
Clarkson, M. (2020). Looking out for Staff: A Wellbeing Toolkit. Presented at: Annual Radiotherapy Conference, Hilton Brighton Metropole, 2020
Clarkson, M. (2017). Developing a Non-Surgical Oncology ACP Framework. Presented at: UK Imaging and Oncology Congress, Liverpool, 2017
Posters
Clarkson, M. (2018). Embracing Change; A new Radiotherapy Clinical Support Model for Practice Placements. Presented at: Achieving excellence in radiography research and education, Leeds, 2018
Clarkson, M., Cutts, K., Morley, A., Schwarz, T., & Taylor, A. (2018). Exploration of resilience in year 1 pre-registration students in the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing. Presented at: Learning Teaching and Academic conference, Sheffield, 2018
Clarkson, M. (2010). Radiotherapy Careers Open Day; An innovative approach to improving local recruitment. Presented at: Radiotherapy in Practice 5, Sheffield Hallam University, 2010
Other activities
- Reviewer for Health Education England Centre for Advancing Practice
- Working group member for the non surgical oncology framework
- Member of AAPE end point assessment group
- External examiner for the end point assessment for the University of Teesside