Recruitment and retention of diagnostic radiography academics ...

3.5.2 Managing transition and acclimatising to HEBecause of the perceived difficulties for new lecturers of adapting to thechallenges of educational environment, participants were mindful that recruitsshould be supported during the early stage of their integration into the academicdepartment. Such a strategy was seen as pivotal to the retention of staff. This notonly should involve orientation to enable novice lecturers to familiarisethemselves with the nature of their role, develop new skills, pursue academicqualifications and have a restricted teaching workload.Lightened teaching load for staff new to academia, to give them time toacclimatise and to learn the skills required of lecturers (DR1, Institution A)if someone is a new lecturer then they would have less of a load the first two orthree years…. and of course in the initial stages the newer staff would beengaged in Masters probably definitely um and potentially you know doctoratestudies too (HoD, Institution C: L218-226)Of equal importance was to ensure that those entering education were protectedfrom assuming teaching commitments which may inhibit them engaging in otherspheres of their academic role. Heads of department identified the managementof staff workloads as a key task in supporting new DR lecturers through theirinduction into HE.…….I think its making sure that we utilise everyone fully, properly and in abalanced fashion really so that we are not flogging people who can do it justbecause they are the only ones that can pick it up….… everyone is working quitehard and it um… it means that you do have to have quite a careful juggling act(HoD, Institution C; L328-341)3.5.3 Tensions in career progression versus diversificationA wide range of strategies were employed to maintain DR academics’ motivationand keep them intellectually challenged. This might include developmentthrough completing a masters course, doctoral studies and other relevanttraining. In terms of supporting career progression, enabling DR practitioners toenrol in academic studies, engage in scholarship and other related activities wasseen as vital to meeting university criteria:Progression opportunities on the lecturer scale since most clinical radiographersdo not have the research skills to be able to progress up the lecturer scale basedon the requirements of the University …… All staff are expected to undertakescholarly activities. The lecturer grade staff have research targets. The lecturerpractitionersare all undertaking MSc’s at present, but once completed will beexpected to start writing…. and presenting small pieces of work at national26