Is there structured career management in the medical radiations profession?

The medical radiations profession in Australia is experiencing staff recruitment and retention problems. In addition, the profession currently lacks a clear and consistent career management structure. This paper explores the published literature that relates to medical radiations career management. Upon investigation, there appears to be limited literature on the topic of career management in medical radiations. This does not mean that active career management is not taking place in the medical radiations profession; it may be that career management is not being fully explored or documented in the literature. With limited literature, a broad view needed to be taken with this paper to examine a number of issues currently impacting on the medical radiations profession. Literature suggests that encouraging, supporting and rewarding staff through career management is required if the profession is to move forward. The profession must take control in defining itself and shaping its future. Developing career management strategies that promote and support staff in the pursuit of career development activities must occur if the profession is to overcome staff shortages and issues of low staff morale. As an emerging profession, it is time for the profession to define itself and advance in a manner that recognises career management and career structure as being central to addressing the current recruitment and retention issues.