US Radiology Specialists expands pipeline for attracting techs amid ‘critical shortage’
US Radiology Specialists is expanding its pipeline for attracting and retaining technologists, the company announced on Thursday.
The Raleigh, North Carolina-based imaging group is broadening the reach of its Technologist Advancement Academy, which provides specialized training and career pathways for techs. Previously, the academy had focused on CT and MRI, with US Radiology Specialists now broadening the effort into mammography.
Leaders said the academy has helped the practice address the “critical shortage” of imaging technologists nationwide while also providing patients with timely access to radiology services.
"As an HR leader, I'm thrilled to see the expansion of the Technologist Advancement Academy program and the positive impact it's having in South Jersey," said Kanika Kapoor, senior human resources director for South Jersey Radiology Associates, acquired by USRS in 2022. “This program not only enhances our employees' career growth, but also strengthens our ability to meet the growing demand for convenient, high-quality diagnostic imaging outside of the hospital environment.”
Thus far, 19 American Registry of Radiologic Technologists-registered techs have graduated from the program. Another 27 are currently pursuing training in MRI and CT, “reflecting the increasing demand for skilled professionals in radiology,” USRS noted. The practice is launching the new breast imaging program in partnership with Mammography Educators, a provider of training, consulting and education for techs.
US Radiology Specialists also previously announced in June 2023 that it was expanding the academy nationwide amid growing demand for imaging and the employees who operate the necessary equipment. Backed by private equity firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, USRS bills itself as “one of the country's premier providers of diagnostic imaging services.” The company employs over 5,000 team members and operates 175-plus outpatient imaging centers across 13 states, conducting 8 million studies annually.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.