Radiography educational program directors report that the number of enrolled students increased slightly in radiography, radiation therapy and nuclear medicine technology programs in 2023 as compared to 2022. However, enrollment in sonography and magnetic resonance programs decreased slightly according to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists Enrollment Snapshot 2023.

Conducted annually, the ASRT enrollment survey highlights entering class enrollments, student capacity and program data that measures past trends, attrition and viability rates.

The 2023 survey results show that the number of enrolled radiography students increased with an estimated 17,679 students entering American Registry of Radiologic Technologists-approved radiography programs, up from 16,235 in 2022.

Student enrollment in ARRT-approved radiation therapy programs is estimated at 1,302 students in 2023, up from 1,208 in 2022.

Nuclear medicine program enrollments also increased with an estimated 903 students enrolling in 2023, up from 837 in 2022.

For the second consecutive year, the survey tracked enrollments in sonography and magnetic resonance programs. In 2022, there were an estimated 3,144 students enrolled in ARRT-recognized sonography programs, down from 3,531 in 2022. And MR programs enrolled an average of 555 students, a decrease from 720 in 2022.

“The American Society of Radiologic Technologists reviews longitudinal enrollment survey results, along with feedback from educator and student members, to ensure that we create and maintain forward-thinking, valuable benefits that support educational programs in medical imaging and radiation therapy,” said Melissa Culp, M.Ed., R.T.(R)(MR), ASRT executive vice president of member engagement.

ASRT sent the survey to 1,209 directors of radiography, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine technology, sonography and MR programs currently approved by the ARRT. By the close of the survey in late October, 301 responses had been received, yielding an overall response rate of 28.5%. Of the radiography programs surveyed 97.3% were in the United States with 2.7% in Canada. The ASRT began conducting the survey in 2001.

Enrollment Snapshot 2023

The ASRT Board of Directors and staff send their sympathy and concern to the members and their families who were affected by the tornadoes in Tennessee that touched down on Dec. 9. Our thoughts are with all of you as you recover.

“As ASRT has hundreds of members who live in the areas hit by the tornadoes, the Society’s staff and Board of Directors have moved quickly to implement a measure to support members affected by this disaster,” said ASRT Chair of the Board Daniel L. Gonzales, M.S.R.S., R.T.(R), FASRT.

For ASRT members living in Tennessee’s Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Gibson, Montgomery, Robertson, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Weakley and Wilson counties, the Society has automatically extended your membership for 90 days. 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 tornadoes 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 December/January issue of ASRT Scanner and the January/February issue of Radiologic Technology.

Radiologic technologists who are concerned about their ability to meet their continuing education 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.

In addition, ASRT members are using the ASRT Communities to communicate ways to assist individuals in the affected areas. Please visit the ASRT Radiography Community to join the conversation.

“We hope all medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals affected by the tornadoes are safe and secure,” said ASRT President Brandon A. Smith, M.B.A., M.S.R.S., R.T.(R)(VI), CIIP. “ASRT has a responsibility to support its members in Tennessee and we’re ready to do whatever it takes to ensure they have the tools, services and support to move toward a path of recovery.”

The ASRT is seeking qualified members interested in volunteer positions on the House of Delegates Minutes Approval Committee and Sergeant-at-Arms Committee.

The duties, qualifications and time commitments required for these openings are available through the links below:

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 ASRT is seeking qualified members interested in volunteer positions for the Committee on R.T. Advocacy.

The duties, qualifications and time commitments required for these openings are available through the link below:

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 ASRT is seeking qualified members interested in volunteer positions on the Radiation Therapist Editorial Review Board and Radiologic Technology Editorial Review Board.

The duties, qualifications and time commitments required for these openings are available through the links below:

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 ASRT is seeking qualified members interested in volunteer positions on the Limited X-ray Machine Operator Curriculum Workgroup and Magnetic Resonance Curriculum Workgroup.

The duties, qualifications and time commitments required for these openings are available through the links below:

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 ASRT is seeking qualified members interested in volunteer positions on the Committee on the Student to Leadership Development Program, Committee on R.T. Advocacy Regional Subcommittees, Practices Standards Council Modality Subcommittees and Scanner Editorial Advisory Panel.

The duties, qualifications and time commitments required for these openings are available through the links below:

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 launched its Be Seen campaign today to raise public awareness about the crucial role medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals play in patient diagnosis, intervention and treatment.

To highlight the profession, ASRT has partnered with medical imaging professional and actor, Michael Benzaia, R.T.(R)(CT). Outside of Michael’s work as a radiographer and computed tomography (CT) technologist, he’s also known for his on-screen medical professional roles in shows like “General Hospital,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Law & Order” and “The Blacklist.”

“My journey into the world of radiography started at 12 years old from a deeply personal place - accompanying my mother to medical appointments during her battle, which she sadly lost, with breast cancer. Her passing sparked my passion for the medical field and encouraged me to pursue my dreams as an actor,” said Benzaia. “To bring authenticity to my roles, I draw upon my real-life experiences, and I’m thrilled to be using my voice for this campaign highlighting the vital role of medical imaging and radiation therapy in patient care.”

“Health care wouldn’t be the same without medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals, but they often fail to receive the recognition they deserve,” said ASRT CEO and Executive Director Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(M), FASRT, CAE. “That’s why Danny Gonzales, ASRT chair of the Board and past president, championed this campaign to raise their visibility.”

The campaign includes:

• A commercial/video featuring Benzaia;
• A website highlighting:
  • Medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals’ role performing medical imaging procedures like mammograms and x-rays, administering radiation therapy to treat cancer and other diseases and operating high-tech health care equipment;
  • Their role in diagnosis, intervention and treatment;
  • Patient perspectives and information about ASRT membership and the ASRT Foundation;
• Social and digital media content to bolster the campaign’s reach.

We encourage all radiologic technologists to share the commercial/video available at www.asrt.org/BeSeen and share ASRT social media posts that highlight the campaign.

Representatives from 18 radiologic science organizations met at the American Society of Radiologic Technologists office in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Feb. 19-20, for the Consensus Committee on the Future of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy.

Spearheaded by the ASRT, American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, the conference covered two core topics: addressing the current medical imaging and radiation therapy workforce shortage and developing career pathways for medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals.

Participants used survey data from the ASRT 2023 Professional Workforce Survey as a roadmap for discussions. The survey highlights data on a variety of topics, including the current workforce shortage, the radiation therapy advanced practice role and remote scanning practices.

According to a statement from the heads of the ASRT, ARRT and JRCERT, the committee’s work is a key step in addressing some critical issues facing the profession:

This think tank represented a variety of radiologic science organizations. It included accomplished professionals in education, accreditation, certification and clinical practice. It was inspiring to see these individuals address important issues, break down barriers and work collaboratively to ensure a bright future for the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession.

The consensus committee’s findings and recommendations will be outlined in a white paper scheduled to be published this spring.

For questions about the survey, contact [email protected].

The medical imaging community expresses discomfort with managing remote imaging procedures as uncertainty in roles, responsibilities and scope of practice are not clearly defined, according to results of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists 2023 Professional Workforce Survey.

Conducted to gauge medical imaging professionals’ knowledge and beliefs about remote imaging, the survey results highlight several topics including current knowledge about remote scanning, the percentage of facilities using remote scanning and beliefs about whether non-medical imaging professionals can be taught to manage remote scanning procedures.

The ASRT Practice Standards for Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy defines remote scanning as "operator control of image acquisition from a physical location that is different from the patient."

Survey results show that 7.2% of respondents (561 people) report working at a health care system that uses remote imaging. Among that group, 89% say modality-certified personnel manage the remote imaging equipment, 87.3% say modality-certified personnel are screening and positioning the patient onsite where the equipment is located and 82.4% say modality-certified personnel are administering contrast agents when appropriate.

The survey also asked medical imaging professionals to provide their thoughts on remote scanning in general and who should be responsible for managing procedures. Most respondents, 97.1%, believe the remote technologist should be modality certified. Furthermore, 97.4% believe the personnel with the patient and equipment should be modality certified.

In addition, 75.4% do not believe that a modality-certified technologist working offsite can teach an onsite technologist certified in another modality to competently perform a procedure. When asked if they would feel comfortable managing procedures as the primary technologist from a remote location, 71.4% said no.

“ASRT is still gathering data about remote scanning and working with other medical imaging organizations to determine how it can support this evolving imaging procedure and ensure all technologists working with remote scanning are appropriately credentialed, educationally prepared and clinically competent for their specific role in the procedure,” said ASRT CEO and Executive Director Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D., R.T.(R)(M), FASRT, CAE.

The results of the survey will be published in a white paper later this year that will outline current workforce shortages in medical imaging and radiation therapy and career pathway options.

For questions about the survey, contact [email protected].