Johnathan Hewis says he is happy to be shaping the next generation after a decade in the field working as an advanced clinical radiographer.
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As well as being a lecturer, Johnathan is an associate head of school in the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences at Charles Sturt University, based in Port Macquarie.
“Growing up I thought I was going to be a vet. I love animals and I actually worked doing odd jobs a vet from the age of eight until I finished school,” Johnathan said.
“As part of all that I saw how the vet took x-rays and loved it, So when I started applying for university radiography was my back-up plan.
“In the end of was offered a place for both courses but I decided I really wanted to interact with patients in a healthcare setting and I am so glad that I went into radiology.
Radiography was my back-up plan.
- Johnathan Hewis
“The diversity of what we do and how we can help individual people is really wonderful.
“When people come to us it usually isn’t for something good so being able to provide great patient care is something I pride myself on and teaching that now to students.”
Originally from the United Kingdom, Johnathan graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 1998 and has worked in a broad range of clinical roles from Inverness to London and across to Dublin.
His areas of clinical expertise include extensive experience with major trauma imaging, working in an advanced practice role performing and also specialising as an MRI practitioner.
“When I first started out I worked in a major trauma hospitals as well as with the coroner and I even went in the army as a lieutenant to do medical training with them which was an experience,” he said.
“The hospital I worked at was also a teaching hospital so even in my early days I was interacting with and teaching students.
“Working in situations like that are rewarding because despite the stressful nature of the job you feel like you are making a difference.
“I remember one night working for the coroner I had to take images of a body that was still in a body bag because the body was decomposing.
I took on the role knowing I was the only person from my school that would be based in Port Macquarie and to see how much the university has grown and changed since we opened here was been great.
- Johnathan Hewis
“It can be confronting for some people but for me, I just used to remember the people we were looking after had lived lives and were people.”
Johnathan has been working in academia since 2004, holding the position of senior lecturer and postgraduate course leader and admissions tutor at Sheffield Hallam University, then senior lecturer and discipline lead at Central Queensland University based in Mackay before making the move to Charles Sturt University.
He commenced his current role with Charles Sturt University in May 2013 and has been based at the Port Macquarie campus since it opened.
“It has been really special getting in at the beginning with the Port Macquarie campus.
“I took on my current role knowing I was the only person from my school that would be based in Port Macquarie and to see how much the university has grown and changed since we opened here was been great.
“Being able to make connections with students and to work with students at different stages in the degree has been rewarding.
“To see that light bulb moment and the new concept clicks is great.”
He said his advice for students is to really consider the vocation your degree will equip you for before entering university.
“In my field there are so many different jobs someone can do but if there is no desire to provide great patient care your will struggle.”
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