Vacancy rates for all medical imaging disciplines increased substantially in 2023, according to the ASRT Radiologic Sciences Staffing and Workplace Survey. Vacancy rates represent the number of unfilled positions that are actively being recruited.

All medical imaging disciplines reported their highest vacancy rate levels since ASRT started tracking staffing metrics in 2003. For example, the estimated radiographer vacancy rate this year is an all-time high of 18.1%, an increase from 6.2% in 2021.

The data outlined in the ASRT survey align with increased vacancy rates in health care settings throughout the country. Survey results from the American Hospital Association, National Nurses United, Hospital and Healthcare Association of Pennsylvania and many others point to spikes in vacancy rates over the past several years.

“During the pandemic, we ramped up our efforts to support members through open access resources, free COVID-19 continuing education, advocacy support and membership grants from the ASRT Foundation, but we also understood that the pandemic could affect medical imaging vacancy rates, so the survey results aren’t surprising,” said ASRT CEO and Executive Director Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(M), FASRT. “We’ll use the survey data to continue to develop tools, services and initiatives to support the nation’s medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals so they can continue to provide patients with top-notch care.”

ASRT’s 2023 radiologic sciences staffing survey identified the following vacancy rate increases from 2021:

• Cardiovascular interventional technology increased from 7.1% to 18.6%.
• Computed tomography increased from 8.7% to 17.7%.
• Sonography increased from 6.9% to 16.7%.
• Magnetic resonance imaging increased from 8.7% to 16.2%.
• Nuclear medicine increased from 4.2% to 14.5%.
• Mammography increased from 4.3% to 13.6%.
• Bone densitometry increased from 3.8% to 6.9%.

The increases follow similar trends reported in the ASRT 2022 Radiation Therapy Staffing and Workplace Survey. The vacancy rate for radiation therapy was 10.7%, up more than three percentage points from 2020, and more than triple the percentage rate in 2018. The vacancy rate for dosimetry was 11.4%, up from two years prior, and more than four times the percentage rate in 2018.

In addition to discipline specific vacancy rates, the radiologic sciences staffing survey outlines changes in full time equivalent staff, vacancy rates by U.S. regions and facility demographics. For example, the majority of survey respondents, 53%, work at hospitals, another 13.7% work at imaging centers, and 9.6% work in physician’s offices. Other types of facilities where respondents work include large and small clinics, government/VA hospitals, rural critical access hospitals and education, among others.

ASRT emailed the biennial survey in Feb. 2023 to 23,536 radiology department managers across the United States. At the survey's close in April 2023, 490 respondents submitted completed questionnaires, resulting in an overall response rate of 2.1% and margin of error of ±4.4% at the 95% confidence level.

ASRT members can access the complete 2023 survey here.

The ASRT officially begins its new volunteer year on July 1.

Volunteering is one of the best ways to give back to the profession and enhance your resume. Volunteer forms are accepted as early as June 1 for the upcoming volunteer year. Volunteers who are interested in current or upcoming opportunities and have completed the volunteer form before June 1, 2023, will need to submit another form to be considered. Volunteer forms may be submitted numerous times throughout the year.

The ASRT is currently seeking qualified ASRT members interested in serving on the following committees:

The ASRT is also seeking individuals interested in serving as a member of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists board of trustees. To review the requirements to serve on the ARRT board, please follow the link below:

The ASRT House of Delegates has elected Shellie Pike, M.S.R.S., R.R.A., R.T.(R)(CT), as speaker of the House and Ashley Perkins, M.H.A., R.T.(R)(MR), as vice speaker of the House.

Pike serves as a registered radiologist assistant for Radiology Consultants of Iowa in Cedar Rapids.

Perkins is the clinical imaging specialist at Franciscan Health in Indiana.

Shellie Pike, M.S.R.S., R.R.A., R.T.(R)(CT)

Ashley Perkins, M.H.A., R.T.(R)(MR)

Pike and Perkins are members of the ASRT Board of Directors. They will manage the House of Delegates proceedings during the 2024 ASRT Annual Governance and House of Delegates Meeting.

The ASRT is seeking qualified members to volunteer as mentors for the Professional Mentor Program.

The duties, qualifications and time commitment required for this opening is available through the link below:

Professional Mentor Program

Please contact ASRT Volunteer Services at [email protected] with any questions or concerns. To see all current positions available, visit the Open Volunteer Opportunities page.

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists has joined the Radiology Health Equity Coalition, an alliance of 11 organizations committed to positively impacting health care equity in the radiology arena.

The American College of Radiology established the coalition in 2022 to address disparity and inequity issues in health care during the COVID-19 pandemic, which magnified the disproportionate numbers of people of color and rural residents in the U.S. affected by barriers to care.

The coalition collects, assesses and disseminates resources and best practices, and advocates for and connects with patients and community members. It also collaborates on programs and services to improve access and utilization of preventative and diagnostic imaging.

ASRT has been named a Mobilization Team member. The Society will be part of a team that defines the coalition’s goals and develops an operational plan to guide future initiatives.

“We’re incredibly proud to join the Radiology Health Equity Coalition as it provides ASRT with an amazing opportunity to work with its peer organizations to address disparity and inequity issues in the radiology arena,” said ASRT CEO and Executive Director Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(M), FASRT.

Coalition members include the ASRT, American College of Radiology, American Board of Radiology, American Medical Association Section Council on Radiology, Association of University Radiologists, National Medical Association Section on Radiology and Radiation Oncology, Radiological Society of North America, Society of Chairs of Academic Radiology Departments, Society of Interventional Radiologists, Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, and American Association of Physicists in Medicine. The coalition also includes specialty and state radiology organizations.

ASRT is seeking qualified members interested in serving as the quality management representative on the Practice Standards Council.

The duties, qualifications and time commitments required for this opening are available in the links below:

Practice Standards Council

Please contact ASRT Volunteer Services at [email protected] with any questions or concerns. To see all current positions available, visit the Open Volunteer Opportunities page.

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists has donated $10,000 to the American Red Cross to assist with disaster relief efforts in Hawaii’s Maui County and Hawaii County. The donation is being made on behalf of the ASRT’s 156,000 members.

"The wildfire that hit Lahaina, Hawaii, is the deadliest U.S. fire in 100 years and people are in need of immediate support," said ASRT President Brandon A. Smith, M.B.A., M.S.R.S., R.T.(R)(VI), CIIP. "By providing this donation to the Red Cross, we’re confident that individuals affected by the wildfires will receive support that will help them on the path to getting their lives back in order."

ASRT currently has more than 300 members who live and work in Maui and Hawaii counties.

The Red Cross is working with its partners on the ground to mobilize relief supplies and disaster workers and is coordinating with local and state officials to support people in need.

"Many of our own members and their families may have been affected by this horrific devastation. We are also mindful that many R.T.s may be tasked with providing patients with care during this challenging time while trying to manage their own lives as residents of the area," said ASRT CEO and Executive Director Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(M), FASRT. "As a result, we want to provide as much support as possible."

With the destruction caused by the fires in Hawaii’s Maui County and Hawaii County, the ASRT Board of Directors and staff send their sympathy and concern to the hundreds of members and their families who live in Maui. Our thoughts are with all of you as you recover from these devastating fires.

We have implemented a measure to support our members affected by this disaster. For ASRT members in Maui County and Hawaii County, we have automatically extended your membership until November 1, 2023. This applies to members scheduled to renew within the next three months. You will retain your original join date and your member record will not show any lapse in membership.

If you have been displaced because of the fires and have a new mailing address, please update your membership record online by going to asrt.org/myinfo or by calling ASRT at 800-444-2778. Please note that the storm could affect the delivery of the August/September issue of ASRT Scanner and the September/October issue of Radiologic Technology.

Radiologic technologists who are concerned about their ability to meet their CE requirements should contact the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists at 651-687-0048, Ext. 8540. The ARRT establishes CE policies for its registrants.

Many ASRT members have contacted us to express their interest in assisting with relief efforts. Because ASRT does not have the infrastructure to organize disaster recovery efforts, we encourage our members to volunteer with reputable, established relief teams that are already in place. For example, those interested in volunteering for cleanup efforts, shelter operations or recovery teams can contact the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army or Samaritan’s Purse.

Members also may choose to support these organizations with financial donations. ASRT has donated $10,000 to the American Red Cross on our members’ behalf to support relief efforts.

Individuals who would like to donate can text HAWAII to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief, which helps people affected by disasters such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires and tornadoes. For questions, please contact ASRT Member Services at 800-444-2778 or [email protected].

Again, we hope all radiologic technologists affected by the fires are safe, secure and on the path to recovery. Our thoughts are with you.

The ASRT is accepting nominations for national officers and chapter delegates interested in participating in 2024 ASRT election.

Each year, ASRT members elect national officers to serve on the ASRT Board of Directors and representatives for each chapter. The elected volunteers help the ASRT develop and implement strategic initiatives and influence the direction for the radiologic technology profession. The 2024 ASRT election will begin Feb. 13 and conclude March 5.

Nominations must be received by the ASRT office no later than Oct. 2, 2023.

The ASRT will contact nominees to confirm their desire to run for the position and to collect qualifying information. Nominees can access the election criteria and forms webpage for more information.

Submit Your Nominations

Please contact the ASRT Governance Department for specific questions about the nomination process.

ASRT invites applicants for the 2024 Student to Leadership Development Program. Applications are open from Aug. 1-Nov. 10, 2023, 11:59 p.m. Mountain time.

The three-year program allows students to experience the governance functions of ASRT, attend educational courses and learn about leadership positions in the association. All applications must be submitted through the online application.

Potential applicants should also contact their ASRT affiliate society for further application and selection guidance, which may include additional criteria or an earlier timeline.

2024 Student to Leadership Development Program Application

If you have questions, contact the SLDP team at [email protected].