Labor bureau predicts end for chronic tech shortage

February 12, 2008 Labor bureau predicts end for chronic tech shortage Marjorie Preston -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Workforce projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest the supply of imaging and radiation oncology technologists may exceed demand by 2016, despite a flat school enrollment. A study by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists suggests that, if BLS forecasts are accurate, the industry could be producing almost double the number of radiation therapists, and almost triple the number of nuclear medicine technologists, than will be necessary in the next decade. "This is indeed a dramatic turnaround from just seven or eight years ago, when the overall vacancy rate for RTs was over 15% -- higher, on percentage basis, than for nurses," said ASRT director of research Richard Harris, Ph.D., in an interview with Diagnostic Imaging. "The profession has done a great job of bringing supply and demand into closer balance, but we can't continue at the current rate of recruitment and retention in the profession without risking an oversupply situation." Information for the 2007 ASRT Enrollment Snapshot, published in December 2007, was obtained from program directors at almost two-thirds of educational programs recognized by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

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