The impact of role extension on non-specialist staff within radiotherapy

PURPOSE: To explore the impact of extended role working and specialisation within radiotherapy on the skills, job satisfaction and motivation of non-specialist, treatment radiographers. MATERIALS/METHODS: A phenomenological, interpretive approach was utilised, drawing on a diverse range of needs based motivation theories to present underlying constructs. The study involved three radiotherapy departments. The sample consisted of twelve therapeutic radiographers identified by their managers as non-specialist and of a range of grades and years post qualification. Semi-structured interviews were used and thematic content analysis applied to analyse transcript data. RESULTS: The study revealed a significant correlation between job satisfaction, motivation and valence of radiographers working within traditional professional boundaries. Of particular significance was the identification of reframing tendencies among radiographers whose expectations and valence were not aligned with personal experience. CONCLUSION: There was evidence of a devaluation of the traditional role of radiotherapy treatment radiographer with consequential issues for retention of experienced staff. This study highlights the need to move away from the current emphasis on role development issues, to a more balanced rhetoric, raising managers' awareness of the needs of non-specialist staff