Aletor Amakhian

Formerly consultant radiologist from Nigeria, NHS experience as a radiology speciality doctor since June 2022 and now joining the HEE ST3 cohort this September 2023 for Speciality trainee Higher.

• I have 10 years clinical experience, having graduated from medical school in 2012. 
• I completed a 5-years clinical radiology training in Nigeria from 2016-2021. 
• I currently work at the Sandwell and west Birmingham NHS Foundation as a radiology specialty doctor, now from their bank, after my substantive contract as a junior specialist doctor elapsed last month, March 2023.
• During my postgraduate training and the following years, I have gained a lot of confidence in general body imaging. Working in the NHS has further sharpened my skills.
  • I have reported over 1200 acute CT studies over the last 12 months, through which I have gathered ample experience and developed an effective strategy to deal with the possible range of cases one could be met with during a busy on-call in a typical NHS setting.
  • I can efficiently handle a general USS list with little or no senior supervision at SWBH.
  • I have good exposure to plain films and verify my reports from the ED/inpatient day list.
  • I report MRI from the in-patient list and GP request under the consultant’s supervision.
  • I have learnt from some subspecialties reporting and MDTs, during my Neuro, MSK, and cardiac, thoracic radiology rotations, which have broadened my clinical insights.
  • I can perform some non-vascular intervention procedures under supervision, as I did 3 month IR rotation.
  • I have benefited from my reflections following a couple of REAL meetings.
  • As well as developing good clinical skills, I have sought to develop my teaching skills. I had worked briefly as a university clinical lecturer before leaving Nigeria. Here in the NHS, I have been involved in the teaching of medical undergraduates and radiographers. 
  • I have written three scientific manuscripts (I presented one at the just concluded ECR Vienna conference and is due for publishing in May this year, and just published another in an open-access PubMed-indexed journal).
  • Within the past year, I sat for and passed the FRCR2A examination. My NHS experience, especially my interaction with the trainees and participation in journal clubs, alongside attending paid courses and personal studying undoubtedly counted towards my preparations for the FRCR2B examination, which I have just concluded this week, awaiting my result next week Friday (June 30th) have further heightened my ability to pick up pertinent findings.
  • Leading an audit at my trust (SWBH), has afforded me more understanding of the quality priorities in the NHS and gave me an opportunity to lead a first project in the NHS. Presenting it at the QIHDM was another amazing experience where my presentation and public speaking skills were tested, and I received excellent feedback.
  • In addition, being the Rota coordinator for junior doctors in radiology during my substantive post as SWBH, facilitated my speedy understanding of the NHS, through regular interaction with the secretaries, college tutor, clinical lead, and other trainees. I got to exercise such leadership skills as being able to understand different individual pressures, priorities, and agenda, and I was able to show empathy and understanding when they needed help. Some of these transferable skills I gathered while serving as chief registrar during my higher training in Nigeria, where I had played key roles in organising departmental activities, including a weekly departmental teaching session for junior registrars, helping at mock vivas for medical students, and coordination of a multispecialty journal club.
  • From a more personal perspective, my colleagues see me as someone innovative and very dependable. Outside of work, I enjoy team sports such as playing basketball and watching football, which give me avenues to de-stress. I also enjoy reading political materials and spending time out with my family.”
  • My training has taught me that life as a future consultant will entail balancing clinical work with other responsibilities, such as management and teaching. 

1. Final FRCR 2B Royal college of Radiologist WRITTEN JUNE 2023 - AR
2. Final FRCR 2A Royal college of Radiologist PASSED 2022 
3. PLAB 2 General medical council, UK PASSED 2021
4. Fellow WACS West African college of surgeons CERTIFIED 2021
5. IELTS IDP PASSED 8.0 2020
6. Member WACS West African college of surgeons CERTIFIED 2018
7. MBBS, University of Benin, Nigeria, PASSED 2012