Job satisfaction in the medical imaging profession: alleviating the shortage of personnel.

The dramatic growth of the diagnostic imaging field has not been accompanied by a similar increase in trained personnel. As a result, a personnel shortage exists in nearly every area of diagnostic medical imaging. A study was conducted to examine job satisfaction among imaging personnel to determine what issues need to be addressed among current employees so that the field of diagnostic imaging may be made more attractive to potential imaging personnel. A total of 71 participants from four hospitals in a mid-size city in the southeastern United States completed a 29-question survey. Demographic characteristics and regression models were then used in statistical analysis. The models examined length of employment, work performance, salary, career advancement, and work environment. Significant factors found to relate to job satisfaction were: relationship with supervisor, opportunity for career advancement, job security, adequate staffing, and job stress. Prioritizing these concerns over other nonsignificant findings should promote job satisfaction and in turn alleviate the current shortage of diagnostic imaging personnel.