Competencies and leadership attributes for radiographer-led management in clinical practice: A document analysis of job advertisements in the United Kingdom

Authors: Hapi, J., Yang, Y., Akudjedu, T.N.

Journal: Radiography

Publication Date: 01/04/2026

Volume: 32

Issue: 3

eISSN: 1532-2831

ISSN: 1078-8174

DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2026.103384

Abstract:

Introduction: Radiography management requires balancing clinical, administrative, and leadership responsibilities. However, there is limited evidence on how these competencies and leadership attributes are articulated in recruitment materials across organisations. This study examines job advertisements for radiography management roles to identify patterns and gaps in competency and leadership representation. Methods: A document analysis was conducted using the READ framework. A total of 21109 Job advertisements were retrieved from public job websites. Following screening, 224 advertisements met the inclusion criteria for radiography-led management roles. Data were coded in Excel and analysed in IBM SPSS Statistics (v29.0) to generate descriptive and comparative results. NVivo™ (v14) supported the thematic content analysis, guided by healthcare leadership studies and frameworks, with inductive coding used to identify emerging competencies. Results: The majority of the roles were from NHS organisations (n = 191, 85.3 %). Lead (n = 88, 39.3 %) and Manager (n = 55, 24.6 %) roles predominated at NHS AfC Band 7 (n = 96, 42.9 %) and Band 8a (n = 74, 33.0 %). Operational and clinical competence were the most frequently articulated domains (n = 64, 28.6 %), followed by governance and regulatory compliance (n = 13, 5.8 %). Transformational attributes, including communication (n = 3, 1.3 %) and teamwork (n = 3, 1.3 %), were inconsistently represented. Essential criteria demonstrated stronger articulation than desirable attributes. Conclusion: Recruitment materials in radiography management prioritise technical and supervisory competence over strategic and people-centred leadership. These findings offer an exploratory account of how competencies and leadership expectations are articulated within job advertisements. Developing a radiography-specific leadership competency framework could support progression pathways. Implications for practice: Clear, evidence-based leadership pathways and structured training are needed to prepare radiography managers for system-wide leadership roles.

Source: Scopus

Competencies and leadership attributes for radiographer-led management in clinical practice: A document analysis of job advertisements in the United Kingdom.

Authors: Hapi, J., Yang, Y., Akudjedu, T.N.

Journal: Radiography (Lond)

Publication Date: 09/03/2026

Volume: 32

Issue: 3

Pages: 103384

eISSN: 1532-2831

DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2026.103384

Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: Radiography management requires balancing clinical, administrative, and leadership responsibilities. However, there is limited evidence on how these competencies and leadership attributes are articulated in recruitment materials across organisations. This study examines job advertisements for radiography management roles to identify patterns and gaps in competency and leadership representation. METHODS: A document analysis was conducted using the READ framework. A total of 21109 Job advertisements were retrieved from public job websites. Following screening, 224 advertisements met the inclusion criteria for radiography-led management roles. Data were coded in Excel and analysed in IBM SPSS Statistics (v29.0) to generate descriptive and comparative results. NVivo™ (v14) supported the thematic content analysis, guided by healthcare leadership studies and frameworks, with inductive coding used to identify emerging competencies. RESULTS: The majority of the roles were from NHS organisations (n = 191, 85.3 %). Lead (n = 88, 39.3 %) and Manager (n = 55, 24.6 %) roles predominated at NHS AfC Band 7 (n = 96, 42.9 %) and Band 8a (n = 74, 33.0 %). Operational and clinical competence were the most frequently articulated domains (n = 64, 28.6 %), followed by governance and regulatory compliance (n = 13, 5.8 %). Transformational attributes, including communication (n = 3, 1.3 %) and teamwork (n = 3, 1.3 %), were inconsistently represented. Essential criteria demonstrated stronger articulation than desirable attributes. CONCLUSION: Recruitment materials in radiography management prioritise technical and supervisory competence over strategic and people-centred leadership. These findings offer an exploratory account of how competencies and leadership expectations are articulated within job advertisements. Developing a radiography-specific leadership competency framework could support progression pathways. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Clear, evidence-based leadership pathways and structured training are needed to prepare radiography managers for system-wide leadership roles.

Source: PubMed

Competencies and leadership attributes for radiographer-led management in clinical practice: A document analysis of job advertisements in the United Kingdom

Authors: Hapi, J., Yang, Y., Akudjedu, T.

Journal: Radiography

Publication Date: 10/03/2026

Publisher: Elsevier

eISSN: 1532-2831

ISSN: 1078-8174

DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2026.103384

Source: Manual

Competencies and leadership attributes for radiographer-led management in clinical practice: A document analysis of job advertisements in the United Kingdom.

Authors: Hapi, J., Yang, Y., Akudjedu, T.N.

Journal: Radiography (London, England : 1995)

Publication Date: 03/2026

Volume: 32

Issue: 3

Pages: 103384

eISSN: 1532-2831

ISSN: 1078-8174

DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2026.103384

Abstract:

Introduction

Radiography management requires balancing clinical, administrative, and leadership responsibilities. However, there is limited evidence on how these competencies and leadership attributes are articulated in recruitment materials across organisations. This study examines job advertisements for radiography management roles to identify patterns and gaps in competency and leadership representation.

Methods

A document analysis was conducted using the READ framework. A total of 21109 Job advertisements were retrieved from public job websites. Following screening, 224 advertisements met the inclusion criteria for radiography-led management roles. Data were coded in Excel and analysed in IBM SPSS Statistics (v29.0) to generate descriptive and comparative results. NVivo™ (v14) supported the thematic content analysis, guided by healthcare leadership studies and frameworks, with inductive coding used to identify emerging competencies.

Results

The majority of the roles were from NHS organisations (n = 191, 85.3 %). Lead (n = 88, 39.3 %) and Manager (n = 55, 24.6 %) roles predominated at NHS AfC Band 7 (n = 96, 42.9 %) and Band 8a (n = 74, 33.0 %). Operational and clinical competence were the most frequently articulated domains (n = 64, 28.6 %), followed by governance and regulatory compliance (n = 13, 5.8 %). Transformational attributes, including communication (n = 3, 1.3 %) and teamwork (n = 3, 1.3 %), were inconsistently represented. Essential criteria demonstrated stronger articulation than desirable attributes.

Conclusion

Recruitment materials in radiography management prioritise technical and supervisory competence over strategic and people-centred leadership. These findings offer an exploratory account of how competencies and leadership expectations are articulated within job advertisements. Developing a radiography-specific leadership competency framework could support progression pathways.

Implications for practice

Clear, evidence-based leadership pathways and structured training are needed to prepare radiography managers for system-wide leadership roles.

Source: Europe PubMed Central