The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) has released a staffing survey that shows an increase in medical imaging vacancy rates.
The society's Radiologic Sciences Staffing and Workplace Survey was established in 2003, and it is published biennially. In February, the ASRT emailed it to 23,536 radiology department managers across the U.S. As of April 2023, 490 participants had submitted responses for an overall rate of 2.1%.
The survey showed a vacancy rate of 18.1% this year, an all-time high and an increase from 6.2% in 2021. The results are consistent with data from similar surveys conducted by the American Hospital Association and National Nurses United, the ASRT said.
The survey found the following increases in vacancy rates compared with 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 survey also noted that 53% of survey respondents work in hospitals, 13.7% in imaging centers, and 9.6% in physician's offices.
"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," said ASRT CEO and Executive Director Melissa Pergola, EdD, in a statement released by the society.
