How to address CCTA staffing shortages

Cracks in the CCTA staffing pipeline

Warren noted that COVID-19 significantly disrupted the imaging workforce. While nursing shortages drew most of the national spotlight, fewer resources were directed toward imaging. 

“Fast forward to 2025, we’re really starting to see the cracks when it comes to imaging professionals and where did our pipeline go?” Warren said.

Technologists trained in cardiac CT are especially hard to find. With volumes rising across both hospitals and outpatient centers, the demand for dedicated expertise has outpaced supply.

Building the imaging workforce early

Warren urged health systems to revisit workforce development strategies and apply lessons learned during COVID-19. That means reaching students early—sometimes as far back as high school.

“It’s really talking even all the way down into freshman, sophomore year to say, 'what are you thinking about doing career wise, and did you know that there are other avenues or pathways inside of a healthcare hospital outpatient center that may be of interest to you?' Especially for the kids that really like the math and science, imaging usually is a great fit for them,” she said.

She emphasized partnering with local colleges, vocational schools and online programs. Virtual coursework combined with local clinical placements can expand training access, particularly in rural areas.

"A couple of the things that we found successful is being able to partner with an online educational program that we could keep the student where they lived. So, then we would do clinicals inside of those smaller rural community hospitals, and they may still have to go to the larger cities to see some of the different scans, but for the most part, they can get the majority of what they need where they live. We just find that if we can find somebody that's already established in that community and be able to keep them in the community, they are more likely to stay within that healthcare organization to work," Warren explained.

Staff retention matters

Recruitment alone is not enough. Warren warned that high turnover can undercut progress, urging hospitals to become “employers of choice.” Recognition, respect and even language matter.

“One of the things we talked about… is to use correct professional titles. Instead of calling someone a technician, make sure you’re using the word technologist,” she said.

Including imaging staff in planning discussions also strengthens engagement, because they often bring up issues with staffing that others may not understand or think of.

“If you have the opportunity as you’re starting to develop those programs, bring in your lead technologist and let them sit at the table,” Warren said.

Leveraging technology for remote technologist oversight

To extend expertise, some hospitals are turning to remote scanning oversight, where a senior technologist can assist with protocols and post-processing virtually. AI is also starting to play a role in efficiency, though adoption has been cautious.

“We are just at the very beginning of what this looks like, and two years from now it’s going to be a totally different picture,” Warren said.

Large health systems can also partner with rural hospitals, providing clinical placements, rotating staff, and remote reading support from cardiologists or radiologists.

The road ahead for CCTA staffing

Warren sees both opportunity and risk. On one hand, CCTA is increasingly attractive to technologists since outpatient settings often mean no weekends, holidays or call shifts. On the other, pulling staff from hospitals without building a replenishment pipeline creates new gaps.

“The biggest piece is how do you keep a teammate on the team?” Warren said. "You're investing a lot of time and money into a particular person that's coming in and you don't want to have a revolving door."

As cardiac CT continues its rapid climb, Warren stressed that only a coordinated approach involving early recruitment, creative training, retention strategies, and smart use of technology will keep pace with the field’s growth.