More and more radiation therapy jobs going unfilled
The amount of unfilled vacant positions for radiation therapists is growing, according to new data from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
The results of the 2024 ASRT Radiation Therapy Workplace and Staffing Survey indicate that open positions in radiation therapy have grown by around 3% over the last year. The vacancy rate now sits at 13.6%
In contrast, the vacancy rate for medical dosimetrists dropped from 11.4% in 2022 to 9.6% more recently.
The increase in vacant positions could be owed to greater utilization of radiation therapy, which has increased the need for qualified staff. According to the ASRT’s data, the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) radiation therapist positions that facilities budget for is increasing. Among the organizations that participated in the survey, facilities now have one additional FTE radiation therapy position in their budget compared to this same time in 2022.
For many years, the survey has been used to shine a spotlight on gaps in staffing and guide organizations’ efforts to recruit talent. This year, 645 respondents from across the United States participated in the survey.
In February, ASRT, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology co-hosted the Consensus Committee on the Future of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy to discuss how to address staffing shortages in the industry. This meeting included representatives from 15 different professional organizations, all of which collaborated to come up with actionable ideas that could improve vacancy rates.
The group suggested that staffing in radiation therapy could be improved by:
More clearly articulating career pathways.
Creating a pipeline from radiation therapy programs to the workplace.
Adapting educational and training opportunities to meet students' changing needs.
“Through this work, ASRT is taking steps to advocate for the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession and to support workforce and staffing," Melissa Culp, MEd, executive vice president of member engagement for ASRT, said in a release on the survey results.
As part of their efforts to address staffing shortages, ASRT is holding a virtual career fair on Sept. 26. More than 70 healthcare organizations have signed on to participate in the event.
Learn more about the career fair here.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She joined Innovate Healthcare in 2021 and has since put her unique expertise to use in her editorial role with Health Imaging.