Brooke Robinson – neuroradiographer

What does a neuroradiographer do?  

In simple terms, neuroradiographers operate imaging equipment, such as MRI, CT and X-ray, to scan patients with neuroscience conditions. But we don’t simply push buttons and take photos. We have to make sure that we get the best scan possible, depending on the patient’s medical condition. We have to judge the radiation dose and provide clear, high-quality images to the medical team, to diagnose and help guide patients’ treatment, all while keeping them safe. 

I am a rotational neuroradiographer which means that I can operate all the different types of scanners, but some radiographers specialise in a particular type of scan, such as MRI.  

What is a typical day for you? 

We have different shift patterns, with some scanners operating 24 hours a day and others only in daytime. We see both outpatients and inpatients at the hospital and need to adapt quite quickly to fit in urgent and emergency patients, when needed.  

We work with a large but tightly knit team that includes nurses, doctors, and scientists and we are very collaborative and supportive of one another.  

What skills do you need? 

I started my career as a radiographer in the emergency department and moved to neuroradiography as I wanted a new challenge.  

You need to be quick-thinking to work in neuroradiography, and there is a lot to learn, as neuroscience is so specialist. But there is lots of ongoing training and mentoring within the department – we are never done learning, which is great!  

It also helps to have good people skills, as some of the patients  we see may be confused or worried about their scans, and we help to reassure them.  

What is the best thing about your job? 

Neuroradiography is incredibly rewarding as there is so much contact with patients. We see some patients regularly for their scans as we are a key part of their diagnosis and treatment journey and, hopefully, their recovery. This wasn’t something I expected when I started working in neuroradiography.  

I’ve also been involved in some exciting lifesaving and life-changing innovations and research, including imaging during emergency surgery to remove brain clots in stroke patients (thrombectomy), intraoperative MRIs where some patients are awake during their brain surgeries, and scanning patients on drug trials for dementia.  

There is a real sense of purpose and pride in neuroradiography, and to be part of such a great team in a world-leading neuroscience hospital is a privilege.   

What are you most looking forward to over the next year? 

I am really looking forward to our new outpatient MRI facility opening in 2025 at Grays Inn Road. There will be five new state-of-the-art MRI scanners there for our patients, which will help people to get scanned quicker, and it will also allow many more patients to take part in research studies to help tackle neuroscience conditions like dementia.  

If you weren’t a neuro radiographer, what would you be?   

Well obviously I love being a neuroradiographer! But if I wasn’t, I think that I’d either be a professional footballer (I play for a local women’s team), or something creative like a fashion designer, as I really enjoy crafting and making clothes.