What do employers want in their interventional imaging workforce? Document analysis of radiology and cardiology job advertisements across England and Wales

INTRODUCTION: Alongside medical specialists, radiographers and nurses form core members of the interventional imaging teams within radiology and cardiology. Despite these being seen as key functions there is little documented evidence of the requirements of employers for such roles. METHOD: The requirements of employers for advertised radiographer or nurse vacancies in interventional cardiology (IC) or interventional radiology (IR) were assessed across England and Wales. Over a six-month period vacancies advertised on the NHS website (jobs.nhs.uk) were collated and the advert, job description and person specification subjected to document analysis. RESULTS: = 26.674; p < 0.01), although few roles required any formal postgraduate education. The clinical elements of the jobs spanned pre-, peri- and post-procedural elements, however common themes in relation to leadership, education and research were evident. CONCLUSION: There is an apparent disparity in the level of pay between nurses and radiographers working in the interventional setting, although the cause is unknown. Employers expect autonomy in the complex clinical environment, although opportunities for advancement appear limited. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Core capabilities for nursing and radiographers working in the interventional imaging environment do not exist although there is opportunity to look for transferable skills from the peri-procedural setting. Development of postgraduate education to support the expected skills may underpin future developments.