May 30, 2025 • 25 mins
In this episode of A Couple of Rad Techs, Chaundria explores the rapid evolution of medical imaging and what it means for radiologic technologists on the front lines. From AI-driven image reconstruction to hybrid imaging modalities, the landscape is changing fast. But staying relevant doesn’t always mean working with brand-new equipment. Chaundria discusses how technologists can build confidence and stay career-ready through ASRT’s Directed Readings, webinars, and advocacy efforts. She also breaks down the common fear of falling behind and offers real-world strategies for keeping your edge, even in a facility that hasn’t upgraded in years. Whether you’re a CT, MRI, or X-ray tech—or just trying to pivot into something new—this episode will help you rethink what growth looks like in today’s imaging environment.
👉 Tune in now to learn how to turn CEUs into career power—and why your ASRT membership matters more than ever.
Ready to dive into the ever-evolving world of medical imaging? This episode is all about how radiologic technologists can totally keep their edge as AI and new imaging modalities shake things up. We're talking about the ASRT, which isn’t just your go-to for CEUs, but a powerhouse for career advancement and professional advocacy. Chaundria spills the tea on how to navigate changes in the field, even if you're stuck with equipment that’s older than your favorite pair of sneakers. Plus, we’ll explore how tools like Directed Readings and webinars can help you stay ahead of the game. So if you're feeling a bit lost or just want to level up your rad tech game, this convo is definitely for you!
Takeaways:
- Artificial intelligence is reshaping medical imaging, and understanding its role is crucial for technologists.
- Your skills as a radiologic technologist aren't defined by the age of your scanner; it's about knowledge and adaptability.
- Staying competitive means embracing continuing education, which is key for career resilience in radiology.
- The ASRT offers valuable resources like directed readings and webinars that can help you stay ahead in your profession.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- ASRT
© 2025 A Couple of Rad Techs Podcast
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:58):
Welcome back to a couple ofrad text podcasts.
I am Sean, your host, andtoday we are stepping into the future.
Yes, not the future likeyou're probably thinking, but the
future of medical imaging.
That's what we're talkingabout today.
Artificial intelligence,evolving modalities, new demands
in patient care, and mostimportantly, the powerful role the
(01:22):
ASRT plays in helping usnavigate these changes in our profession.
So whether you're anradiologic diagnostic technologist,
MRI, CT, mammography, nuclearmedicine, technologist, radiation
therapy, radiation therapist,radiologist assistant, medical dosimetrist,
(01:43):
whatever it is you do inmedical imaging, this podcast is
for you.
We are talking the future ofmedical imaging as a whole and how
the ASRTs role in andinnovation plays a part.
(02:26):
So the reality of change inmedical imaging, y' all, is here.
We can't go back, we can'tundo it.
Imagine imaging is changingfast, like faster than most of us
have time to process.
I don't know if you wouldagree, but it is changing and it's
not slowing up for any of us.
And I'm not talking about thenew machines or some fancy upgrade
(02:48):
that we don't have yet.
I mean real change in how wescan, how.
How we care for our patients,and what we're expected to do.
So let's start with Captain Obvious.
AI You've probably seen allthe headlines.
AI is revolutionizing medical imaging.
MRI is going to take overevery job from the radiologist.
(03:09):
They won't need you buttonpushers anymore.
I mean, we see it all.
We hear it all on social media.
We see it in the content thatcomes across.
We see it in our smart coils,automated protocols, five minute
scans.
I remember the days that.
That just a dream.
We see it innovating intodifferent modalities, crossing over.
(03:30):
A radiologist reads.
Meanwhile, you're stillscanning on a 1.5 Tesla that needs
a reboot every time you run aknee protocol and an abdomen back
to back.
Right?
Not because it's broken, it'sjust old.
Your facility didn't upgrade,and it's probably not going to upgrade
anytime soon.
We all have been there.
We've worked on scanners thatdidn't even have respiratory gating,
(03:51):
while articles that we readfrom the ASRT and other medical journals
were talking about motioncorrection and auto positioning.
Like that was a dream.
We hadn't seen that in some ofthese facilities out there.
And the wild thing, our scantimes didn't get shorter.
Our patient load just got heavier.
(04:12):
So you're not crazy if youfeel like you're falling behind in
medical imaging because to behonest, sometimes it feels like the
industry's moving ahead andnobody left the directions for the
rest of us.
And let's not even get startedon modalities evolving.
I mean, just, let's start withdiagnostic radiology.
The evolution of that hasreally just blown my mind.
(04:35):
Look at the, the technology,look at the type of imaging in the
or.
I mean, things are just changing.
You hear people talk about theranostics.
I had nuclear medicinetechnologists on my podcast years
ago and they brought this upand they were so excited about it.
Now you have pet slash mri.
When I started, there was no,I didn't, I didn't hear about, we
(04:57):
didn't work with pets.
I remember getting our firstpet trailer.
Oh my goodness.
It was a huge deal at this bighospital and all they had was a trailer.
I think they still have atrailer to this day.
But now PET and MRI arecrossing over.
You have mri dash li n a cmultiple modalities, radiation therapy
and MRI are crossing over.
Meanwhile, many technologistsare out there still doing routine
(05:20):
head CTs and the occasionalstone protocol, wondering how, how
you're supposed to compete ina job market full of hybrid imaging
AI integrated scanners thatyou have never ever been able to
touch or scan on.
So how do you get the experience?
How do you stay in front ofthe curve?
It's overwhelming.
And that's pressure.
It's real.
You maybe start thinking, willI even sound like I know what I'm
(05:44):
doing in an interview at abigger facility?
Am I going to get passed upfor cross training spots because
I've never used 3Dreconstruction software?
I get it.
But here's what I've learnedafter working at multiple facilities,
from tiny clinics to trauma centers.
Your value isn't about whatscanner you're using.
It's about whether or not youunderstand what you're doing and
(06:07):
whether you're willing to keep learning.
Let me say that again.
Your value isn't about whatscanner you're using.
It's about whether or not youunderstand what you're doing and
whether you're willing to keep learning.
I've seen technologists andtherapists on A system from 2004
produce better imaging thansomeone with all the bells and whistles
(06:29):
because they know the anatomy,they know the pathology, and they
care about getting it right.
They, they know what they're doing.
But here's the other side ofthe coin.
Those same technologists andtherapists, as amazing as they are
and skilled sometimes do getpassed over or are fearful of making
a change and are behind the curve.
Not because they're not good,because they didn't know how to speak
(06:52):
the language of where imagingis going.
They couldn't explain AI workflows.
They didn't know how todescribe dose optimization in a way
that leadership could understand.
They scanned beautifully, butthey couldn't advocate for themselves
where it mattered.
And that's why I bring up theASRT so much.
Because, look, if we're justusing our memberships to get CE credits
(07:13):
and call it a day, missing the point.
We're treating a full coursemeal like a vending machine snack.
Directed readings andwebinars, question mark.
What?
What are they?
They're not there to justcheck a box.
They're there to help you grow.
Even if your scanner nevergets upgraded.
They're how you buildconfidence so when change does show
(07:34):
up, you're not panicking.
You're prepared.
You're not left behind.
You're prepared, and they'realready part of your membership.
As an ASRT member, you don'thave to spend more money or get on
Facebook groups and ask, wherecan I find this helpful information
about radiation therapy?
Connecticut nuclear medicine?
This is your move.
(07:55):
Become a member.
Pick one.
Directed reading.
Watch one Webinar replay.
Webinars are powerful.
Choose something that matcheswhere you want to go next, not where
you are right now, becausethat does not help with growth and
staying above the curve whenit comes to our medical imaging careers.
Guys, let's.
Let's choose something thatmatches where you want to go next.
(08:17):
Because the truth is, changeis coming.
AI is not going away.
Modalities are getting smarter.
Patient care is evolving.
And if we're not learning howto grow with it, we're going to get
left behind.
But the good news is you don'thave to figure it all out alone.
(08:37):
The tools are there.
The education is there.
Good, quality education that'sbeen tested, tried, and proven to
work.
And ASRT, they're alreadythinking five, 10 steps ahead of
us.
All you gotta do is startwhere you are with what you've got
and take one step.
All right, on this nextsegment, the question isn't whether
(08:57):
change is coming.
It's whether we're going tobuild a foundation to adapt to it,
even from where we are right now.
So you may ask, what is theASRT really doing for us?
I see it in Facebook groups.
I see it all the time in myDMs, and it's a good question.
I love when people askquestions because I had ASRT members
on my podcast early on becauseI asked the same question.
(09:19):
I wanted to know what did themembership do for me?
And I got an answer that I wasable to then go do some research
with.
I didn't make my decisionright then.
I got the information, wentand did the research, and I've been
a member ever since.
And not just a member.
I've been taking advantage ofmy membership and it really has made
a change within me is givingme tools that I really was missing
(09:40):
all of those years and it'snot a quick, quick fix.
Again, I took the informationand I put it to use by doing the
research for myself andfiguring out how this was going to
work for where I want it to go.
So the ASRT isn't again,someplace where you go to knock out
your CE credits and move on.
You're actually leading,they're actually leading the charge
to make sure we don't get leftbehind in medical imaging, making
(10:01):
sure our profession advancesand we advance with it.
Because these manufacturers,they are going, y' all, it's changing.
You don't want to find outabout a change by watching social
media and saying, wow, that's happening.
I would hate for you, it'slike that is a bad way to find out
that your career is changingfor the better by looking at, looking
at the social media and seeingthat something has changed and you
(10:25):
knew nothing about it.
So, number one, cutting edgeeducation is actually useful.
They're not just throwingcourses together to check off a box
and say, who can we charge for this?
They're building leading pathsaround things that are actually happening,
happening in imaging rightnow, right?
You want education tools ofthings that are pertinent to you
now and things that are goingto be pertinent to you in the future.
(10:47):
Just because it's good nowdoesn't mean it's going to be beneficial
to you in the Future.
Things like AI 3D, postprocessing, hybrid modalities, even
fusion tech that combines PETwith mri, radiation therapy or mri,
you know, all of those cross modalities.
And here, here's where I'll bereal with y' all.
If you're only logging intothe SRT to collect CEUs, you're sitting
(11:07):
in the back of the class.
You're, you'll still getcredit, right?
But you'll miss the good stuff.
Let me give you an example.
Directed readings and webinars.
They're like having that frontrow access to the professor, the
one who doesn't just teach thecontent, but knows how it applies
in real world imaging.
They break it down in thosedirect readings and webinars, not
(11:29):
just with what, but with thewhy and the how.
We need both.
The nuance, the insight.
That's the part that gets you ahead.
That's the kind of knowledgethat makes you valuable.
When you're asked to train anew hire or lead a modality switch.
When you listen to a webinarand hear how another technologist
(11:49):
across the country is dealingwith the changes and innovations
like AI burnout, CT, dualenergy, other modalities, it's like
getting an inside scoop youdidn't even know you needed.
So, again, yes, the CEUsmatter, you better believe I make
sure my CEUs are tracked and Iuse their CE courses.
But if you use these toolsstrategically, you're not just maintaining
(12:14):
your license.
And I think some of us gotinto that, just maintaining our licenses.
There's no growth in doing that.
Doing it this way, you'rebuilding your voice, you're staying
sharp, you're preparing forwhat's next.
Number two, another thing wedon't realize that the ASRT is doing
is they're in the room.
They're sitting at the tablewith policymakers, equipment manufacturers,
(12:35):
healthcare executives, and,yes, researchers and more who are
making the next wave ofimaging technology.
I'm not sitting in the room.
Are y' all sitting in the room?
I'm telling you, this is howyou get ahead of the curve.
You get with people who arethere and beyond, and they're there
to make sure thattechnologists and therapists have
a voice, their scope ofpractice, that our scope of practice
(12:58):
is protected, that when newinnovations roll out, they consider
the ones who actually workwith the patients and the machines.
Right?
We're in the front lines, butbecause if we're not part of these
conversations, decisions getmade without us.
And we've seen how that works.
That's when jobs get redefinedin ways that do not support us.
Technologists and therapists,number three, career paths that are
(13:21):
rooted in real trends.
We all hear the radio.
I'm thinking about going toradiology school.
There's this thing on socialmedia where radiology technology
is trending.
Everybody now is, I think I'mgoing to go to school for radiologic
technology.
You don't see anything ontheir pages about it, but we're going
to talk about the real trendswhen it comes to our career.
This is where you need to behearing it.
(13:42):
Now let's talk about careers.
Because a lot of us are eitherfeeling stuck or Wondering what is
next, whether you want to getinto informatics, whether you want
to get into clinicaleducation, whether you want to get
into imaging leadership rolesor maybe even something like quality
and safety or whatever else.
The SRT is tracking workforceworkforce trends to show you where
(14:04):
the profession is going thatis so important.
I get comments all the timeis, should I be a radiologist assistant?
I don't see jobs in IT in my area.
Now some of those peopleasking me that question have an associate's
degree.
That is a master level program.
If you think about the timeit's going to take you to get your
bachelor's get that year toexperience that, you need to even
(14:26):
apply to the program inradiologic technology.
Then by the time you finishall that, that's at least two more
years, maybe three.
You never know what things aregoing to be at that point.
So keeping track of the realtrends, using ASRT is, is the smart
thing to do.
They run national surveys.
(14:46):
Some of you may have gottensurveys through your years of being
a member of the srt.
Maybe you didn't know thatwell, now you know.
They run national surveys.
They ask us members real lifequestions to give real data.
No more needing to go toTikTok or social media Ask or Facebook
groups.
You get real data.
They break down where theshortages are, what roles are opening
(15:10):
up and what kind of trainingtechnologists and therapists need
in order to pivot into thesenew spaces.
That's how curriculums are changed.
That's how courses are madethat actually benefits you.
Some of these courses are madebecause they see a trend on social
media that everybody wants tobe an MRI tech.
So you see all of thesecourses selling how to become an
(15:31):
MRI technologist.
It doesn't mean that that isthe best guide for you or training
for you.
That doesn't mean that is thetruth of where the profession is
going with the srt.
They're doing these national surveys.
They're polling everyonewhether you're retired, whether you're
active, whether your licensejust is on hold, whether you're administrative,
whether, whether you're in thetechnology world.
(15:52):
They poll every member.
They get real statistics, y' all.
And if you don't just.
And they just don't hand you areport, they build toolkits, guides,
roadmaps to help you get there.
So if you're listening to thisand thinking, I love scanning, but
I don't want to be in the sameexact spot ten years from now, I
just did a presentation inDallas and I'm going to Tell you
(16:14):
without a doubt, everyone inthat room has been in the profession
for 20 plus years.
The majority of the people inthat room have been in there 20 plus
years.
And they said this exact same thing.
They came up to me afterwardsand said, my kids are leaving the
house.
I no longer need to work thisstaff technologist position.
I love what I do, I love whereI work.
(16:35):
How do I pivot?
I need a plan for the next.
My kids are graduating inthree to five years.
I need to start planning now.
Is that you?
I encourage you start usingthe tools as an ASRT member that
are already built for, foryou, proven and tested to work again.
They're not just prepping youfor the present, they're mapping
out your future.
(16:55):
How many of us have gone on a trip?
I got a story where my sisterand I drove cross country.
She was moving from west coastto east coast and I said, yeah, I'm
going to ride with you.
We're going to do a crosscountry trip, y' all.
I think she and I need to do aYouTube video on how funny and scary
that trip was.
Map out.
Map out your plan because wedidn't map it out very well.
Like we ran out of money.
(17:16):
I'm not going to bore you withit here, but.
And make sure you stay tuned.
I'm going to tell that storyone day, but she's got to come on
and tell it with me because itis absolutely hilarious.
So again, the SRT membershipmaps out your future.
So we're going to recap thatquick because that was a lot to digest.
I know it was a lot for me tosay, but that's a lot.
So quick recap, directedreadings and webinars gives you a
(17:37):
front row learning that helpsyou grow in your current role and
prep for future ones.
We're always thinking aboutstrategy, you guys.
This is not just what's goodfor now.
That is the beauty of being anASRT member.
You are around like mindedpeople that encourage you to do things
for not just the present, butfor the future.
The second recap is thought leadership.
(17:59):
ASRT is speaking up for us sowe're not just left outta conversations
that affect our careers.
And this is everyone.
Thirdly, career pathing.
They're giving you actualdata, real data, real trending data
and tools to move forward, notjust to stay in place.
So the ASRT isn't perfect, butthey're showing up.
We do that every day in ourown lives, right?
(18:21):
How does it feel when someonejust shows up for you even in their
Most imperfect state.
They're trying.
Right.
We can all relate to that.
They're trying to make surethat technologists and therapists
don't just survive in this profession.
We grow, we lead and we stay respected.
And all we have to do is usewhat's available to us.
(18:41):
They want to make it easy.
So here's some real worldexamples of innovation.
We're going to talk about anactual innovation shift.
AI and MRI is already here.
Whatever your modality is, Ichallenge you to go and research,
sit with your radiologist,talk to your leaders, find out from
your mri, your medical safetyofficer, your radiation safety officer.
(19:02):
How is AI affecting my job?
How am I using AI?
If you're working in medicalimaging, AI is most likely been in
your department and maybe youdon't know is there.
I challenge you.
That would be the first stepand I know radiologists will welcome
you in to ask that question.
They are so excited to talkabout that.
That's one of the things I'mgoing to tell you.
(19:23):
If you want to get on a goodside of a radio radiologist and get
a conversation going, talkabout AI and their job.
They get so passionate abouttheir job and how AI.
AI is assisting.
It's not taking over and theywant to share it so they can give
you insights.
You all.
That's just a tip of realworld innovation when it comes to
the SRT and the innovations of AI.
(19:44):
They've released resources onhow AI is being ethically implemented.
That's very important for youto not only answer others, but to
answer for yourself.
You may have fear that AI istaking over your job.
You don't really understandhow it's working.
They've got resources for youat the asrt.
They're even educatinglawmakers to make sure regulations
(20:04):
don't leave technologists andtherapists behind.
Same goes for radiationtherapy, adaptive planning, motion
tracking, precision dosing.
These are kind.
These are the kinds of thingsthat ASRT builds into their continuing
education and policy work.
So what does it mean for youand I if we want to thrive in this
profession for the next 5, 10,20 years, we must do our part.
(20:28):
You need to be part of aprofessional association that evolves
with technology.
No more standing still.
No more planning for the right now.
We're planning for the future,y' all.
SRT is making that possible.
You get access to educationaltools that prepare you for new roles.
You stay informed throughresearch and industry updates and
you become part of acollective voice that ensures we
(20:50):
don't get left behind.
We don't just work in imaging.
We are the future of imagingand only if we stay engaged.
So here's what I want from you today.
Thank you for being a listener.
I want you to go to asrt.orgbeseem learn what the ASRT is doing
to advance our profession.
To advance our profession Joinif you haven't engage if you have
(21:14):
already been a member, here'sthe how and why it matters.
Number one I want you to go tothe asrt.org be seen today not tomorrow.
Today.
Why?
Every day you wait is a dayyour peers are building advantages
you don't have.
Step 2 Choose the membershiplevel that fits your career stage.
Why Basic membership pays foritself and your first salary negotiation.
(21:37):
Advanced credentials can add$5,000 plus annually to your earning
potential.
Step 3 Complete one learningpath in the next 30 days why you
need quick wins to build momentum.
Pick something adjacent towhat you've already what you're already
doing.
If you're in ct, learn aboutcardiac applications.
If you're in generalradiography, explore advanced positioning
(21:59):
techniques.
Step 4 Engage with thecommunity within 60 days why knowledge
without networking is justexpensive hobby learning.
The real value comes fromprofessional relationships.
Here's why this matters rightnow for new text, you're building
the foundation of your 30 year career.
Plus the habits you establishin your first five years determine
your trajectory for the next 25.
(22:21):
For experienced technologistsand therapists, the industry is changing
faster than ever.
Your 10 to 15 years ofexperience are valuable, but only
if you can apply them to newtechnologies and workflows.
For those veterantechnologists and therapists, you
have knowledge that new techsthat new technologists need, but
you need their freshperspective on emerging technology.
(22:44):
SRT creates that bridge.
Bottom line, in five yearsthere will be two types of medical
imaging professionals thosewho adapt and those who get left
behind.
ASRT membership is how youensure you're in that first group.
Your career is too importantto lead to chance.
Your patients deserve atechnologist and therapist who are
current.
(23:04):
Your profession needs leaderswho are engaged.
So Again, go to asrt.orgbesene Join today.
Your future self will thank you.
Until next time.
This is Sean reminding youthat professional development isn't
about getting better, it'sabout staying relevant, staying sharp,
staying current and staying connected.
Welcome back to a couple ofrad text podcasts.
I am Sean, your host, andtoday we are stepping into the future.
Yes, not the future likeyou're probably thinking, but the
future of medical imaging.
That's what we're talkingabout today.
Artificial intelligence,evolving modalities, new demands
in patient care, and mostimportantly, the powerful role the
(01:22):
ASRT plays in helping usnavigate these changes in our profession.
So whether you're anradiologic diagnostic technologist,
MRI, CT, mammography, nuclearmedicine, technologist, radiation
therapy, radiation therapist,radiologist assistant, medical dosimetrist,
(01:43):
whatever it is you do inmedical imaging, this podcast is
for you.
We are talking the future ofmedical imaging as a whole and how
the ASRTs role in andinnovation plays a part.
(02:26):
So the reality of change inmedical imaging, y' all, is here.
We can't go back, we can'tundo it.
Imagine imaging is changingfast, like faster than most of us
have time to process.
I don't know if you wouldagree, but it is changing and it's
not slowing up for any of us.
And I'm not talking about thenew machines or some fancy upgrade
(02:48):
that we don't have yet.
I mean real change in how wescan, how.
How we care for our patients,and what we're expected to do.
So let's start with Captain Obvious.
AI You've probably seen allthe headlines.
AI is revolutionizing medical imaging.
MRI is going to take overevery job from the radiologist.
(03:09):
They won't need you buttonpushers anymore.
I mean, we see it all.
We hear it all on social media.
We see it in the content thatcomes across.
We see it in our smart coils,automated protocols, five minute
scans.
I remember the days that.
That just a dream.
We see it innovating intodifferent modalities, crossing over.
(03:30):
A radiologist reads.
Meanwhile, you're stillscanning on a 1.5 Tesla that needs
a reboot every time you run aknee protocol and an abdomen back
to back.
Right?
Not because it's broken, it'sjust old.
Your facility didn't upgrade,and it's probably not going to upgrade
anytime soon.
We all have been there.
We've worked on scanners thatdidn't even have respiratory gating,
(03:51):
while articles that we readfrom the ASRT and other medical journals
were talking about motioncorrection and auto positioning.
Like that was a dream.
We hadn't seen that in some ofthese facilities out there.
And the wild thing, our scantimes didn't get shorter.
Our patient load just got heavier.
(04:12):
So you're not crazy if youfeel like you're falling behind in
medical imaging because to behonest, sometimes it feels like the
industry's moving ahead andnobody left the directions for the
rest of us.
And let's not even get startedon modalities evolving.
I mean, just, let's start withdiagnostic radiology.
The evolution of that hasreally just blown my mind.
(04:35):
Look at the, the technology,look at the type of imaging in the
or.
I mean, things are just changing.
You hear people talk about theranostics.
I had nuclear medicinetechnologists on my podcast years
ago and they brought this upand they were so excited about it.
Now you have pet slash mri.
When I started, there was no,I didn't, I didn't hear about, we
(04:57):
didn't work with pets.
I remember getting our firstpet trailer.
Oh my goodness.
It was a huge deal at this bighospital and all they had was a trailer.
I think they still have atrailer to this day.
But now PET and MRI arecrossing over.
You have mri dash li n a cmultiple modalities, radiation therapy
and MRI are crossing over.
Meanwhile, many technologistsare out there still doing routine
(05:20):
head CTs and the occasionalstone protocol, wondering how, how
you're supposed to compete ina job market full of hybrid imaging
AI integrated scanners thatyou have never ever been able to
touch or scan on.
So how do you get the experience?
How do you stay in front ofthe curve?
It's overwhelming.
And that's pressure.
It's real.
You maybe start thinking, willI even sound like I know what I'm
(05:44):
doing in an interview at abigger facility?
Am I going to get passed upfor cross training spots because
I've never used 3Dreconstruction software?
I get it.
But here's what I've learnedafter working at multiple facilities,
from tiny clinics to trauma centers.
Your value isn't about whatscanner you're using.
It's about whether or not youunderstand what you're doing and
(06:07):
whether you're willing to keep learning.
Let me say that again.
Your value isn't about whatscanner you're using.
It's about whether or not youunderstand what you're doing and
whether you're willing to keep learning.
I've seen technologists andtherapists on A system from 2004
produce better imaging thansomeone with all the bells and whistles
(06:29):
because they know the anatomy,they know the pathology, and they
care about getting it right.
They, they know what they're doing.
But here's the other side ofthe coin.
Those same technologists andtherapists, as amazing as they are
and skilled sometimes do getpassed over or are fearful of making
a change and are behind the curve.
Not because they're not good,because they didn't know how to speak
(06:52):
the language of where imagingis going.
They couldn't explain AI workflows.
They didn't know how todescribe dose optimization in a way
that leadership could understand.
They scanned beautifully, butthey couldn't advocate for themselves
where it mattered.
And that's why I bring up theASRT so much.
Because, look, if we're justusing our memberships to get CE credits
(07:13):
and call it a day, missing the point.
We're treating a full coursemeal like a vending machine snack.
Directed readings andwebinars, question mark.
What?
What are they?
They're not there to justcheck a box.
They're there to help you grow.
Even if your scanner nevergets upgraded.
They're how you buildconfidence so when change does show
(07:34):
up, you're not panicking.
You're prepared.
You're not left behind.
You're prepared, and they'realready part of your membership.
As an ASRT member, you don'thave to spend more money or get on
Facebook groups and ask, wherecan I find this helpful information
about radiation therapy?
Connecticut nuclear medicine?
This is your move.
(07:55):
Become a member.
Pick one.
Directed reading.
Watch one Webinar replay.
Webinars are powerful.
Choose something that matcheswhere you want to go next, not where
you are right now, becausethat does not help with growth and
staying above the curve whenit comes to our medical imaging careers.
Guys, let's.
Let's choose something thatmatches where you want to go next.
(08:17):
Because the truth is, changeis coming.
AI is not going away.
Modalities are getting smarter.
Patient care is evolving.
And if we're not learning howto grow with it, we're going to get
left behind.
But the good news is you don'thave to figure it all out alone.
(08:37):
The tools are there.
The education is there.
Good, quality education that'sbeen tested, tried, and proven to
work.
And ASRT, they're alreadythinking five, 10 steps ahead of
us.
All you gotta do is startwhere you are with what you've got
and take one step.
All right, on this nextsegment, the question isn't whether
(08:57):
change is coming.
It's whether we're going tobuild a foundation to adapt to it,
even from where we are right now.
So you may ask, what is theASRT really doing for us?
I see it in Facebook groups.
I see it all the time in myDMs, and it's a good question.
I love when people askquestions because I had ASRT members
on my podcast early on becauseI asked the same question.
(09:19):
I wanted to know what did themembership do for me?
And I got an answer that I wasable to then go do some research
with.
I didn't make my decisionright then.
I got the information, wentand did the research, and I've been
a member ever since.
And not just a member.
I've been taking advantage ofmy membership and it really has made
a change within me is givingme tools that I really was missing
(09:40):
all of those years and it'snot a quick, quick fix.
Again, I took the informationand I put it to use by doing the
research for myself andfiguring out how this was going to
work for where I want it to go.
So the ASRT isn't again,someplace where you go to knock out
your CE credits and move on.
You're actually leading,they're actually leading the charge
to make sure we don't get leftbehind in medical imaging, making
(10:01):
sure our profession advancesand we advance with it.
Because these manufacturers,they are going, y' all, it's changing.
You don't want to find outabout a change by watching social
media and saying, wow, that's happening.
I would hate for you, it'slike that is a bad way to find out
that your career is changingfor the better by looking at, looking
at the social media and seeingthat something has changed and you
(10:25):
knew nothing about it.
So, number one, cutting edgeeducation is actually useful.
They're not just throwingcourses together to check off a box
and say, who can we charge for this?
They're building leading pathsaround things that are actually happening,
happening in imaging rightnow, right?
You want education tools ofthings that are pertinent to you
now and things that are goingto be pertinent to you in the future.
(10:47):
Just because it's good nowdoesn't mean it's going to be beneficial
to you in the Future.
Things like AI 3D, postprocessing, hybrid modalities, even
fusion tech that combines PETwith mri, radiation therapy or mri,
you know, all of those cross modalities.
And here, here's where I'll bereal with y' all.
If you're only logging intothe SRT to collect CEUs, you're sitting
(11:07):
in the back of the class.
You're, you'll still getcredit, right?
But you'll miss the good stuff.
Let me give you an example.
Directed readings and webinars.
They're like having that frontrow access to the professor, the
one who doesn't just teach thecontent, but knows how it applies
in real world imaging.
They break it down in thosedirect readings and webinars, not
(11:29):
just with what, but with thewhy and the how.
We need both.
The nuance, the insight.
That's the part that gets you ahead.
That's the kind of knowledgethat makes you valuable.
When you're asked to train anew hire or lead a modality switch.
When you listen to a webinarand hear how another technologist
(11:49):
across the country is dealingwith the changes and innovations
like AI burnout, CT, dualenergy, other modalities, it's like
getting an inside scoop youdidn't even know you needed.
So, again, yes, the CEUsmatter, you better believe I make
sure my CEUs are tracked and Iuse their CE courses.
But if you use these toolsstrategically, you're not just maintaining
(12:14):
your license.
And I think some of us gotinto that, just maintaining our licenses.
There's no growth in doing that.
Doing it this way, you'rebuilding your voice, you're staying
sharp, you're preparing forwhat's next.
Number two, another thing wedon't realize that the ASRT is doing
is they're in the room.
They're sitting at the tablewith policymakers, equipment manufacturers,
(12:35):
healthcare executives, and,yes, researchers and more who are
making the next wave ofimaging technology.
I'm not sitting in the room.
Are y' all sitting in the room?
I'm telling you, this is howyou get ahead of the curve.
You get with people who arethere and beyond, and they're there
to make sure thattechnologists and therapists have
a voice, their scope ofpractice, that our scope of practice
(12:58):
is protected, that when newinnovations roll out, they consider
the ones who actually workwith the patients and the machines.
Right?
We're in the front lines, butbecause if we're not part of these
conversations, decisions getmade without us.
And we've seen how that works.
That's when jobs get redefinedin ways that do not support us.
Technologists and therapists,number three, career paths that are
(13:21):
rooted in real trends.
We all hear the radio.
I'm thinking about going toradiology school.
There's this thing on socialmedia where radiology technology
is trending.
Everybody now is, I think I'mgoing to go to school for radiologic
technology.
You don't see anything ontheir pages about it, but we're going
to talk about the real trendswhen it comes to our career.
This is where you need to behearing it.
(13:42):
Now let's talk about careers.
Because a lot of us are eitherfeeling stuck or Wondering what is
next, whether you want to getinto informatics, whether you want
to get into clinicaleducation, whether you want to get
into imaging leadership rolesor maybe even something like quality
and safety or whatever else.
The SRT is tracking workforceworkforce trends to show you where
(14:04):
the profession is going thatis so important.
I get comments all the timeis, should I be a radiologist assistant?
I don't see jobs in IT in my area.
Now some of those peopleasking me that question have an associate's
degree.
That is a master level program.
If you think about the timeit's going to take you to get your
bachelor's get that year toexperience that, you need to even
(14:26):
apply to the program inradiologic technology.
Then by the time you finishall that, that's at least two more
years, maybe three.
You never know what things aregoing to be at that point.
So keeping track of the realtrends, using ASRT is, is the smart
thing to do.
They run national surveys.
(14:46):
Some of you may have gottensurveys through your years of being
a member of the srt.
Maybe you didn't know thatwell, now you know.
They run national surveys.
They ask us members real lifequestions to give real data.
No more needing to go toTikTok or social media Ask or Facebook
groups.
You get real data.
They break down where theshortages are, what roles are opening
(15:10):
up and what kind of trainingtechnologists and therapists need
in order to pivot into thesenew spaces.
That's how curriculums are changed.
That's how courses are madethat actually benefits you.
Some of these courses are madebecause they see a trend on social
media that everybody wants tobe an MRI tech.
So you see all of thesecourses selling how to become an
(15:31):
MRI technologist.
It doesn't mean that that isthe best guide for you or training
for you.
That doesn't mean that is thetruth of where the profession is
going with the srt.
They're doing these national surveys.
They're polling everyonewhether you're retired, whether you're
active, whether your licensejust is on hold, whether you're administrative,
whether, whether you're in thetechnology world.
(15:52):
They poll every member.
They get real statistics, y' all.
And if you don't just.
And they just don't hand you areport, they build toolkits, guides,
roadmaps to help you get there.
So if you're listening to thisand thinking, I love scanning, but
I don't want to be in the sameexact spot ten years from now, I
just did a presentation inDallas and I'm going to Tell you
(16:14):
without a doubt, everyone inthat room has been in the profession
for 20 plus years.
The majority of the people inthat room have been in there 20 plus
years.
And they said this exact same thing.
They came up to me afterwardsand said, my kids are leaving the
house.
I no longer need to work thisstaff technologist position.
I love what I do, I love whereI work.
(16:35):
How do I pivot?
I need a plan for the next.
My kids are graduating inthree to five years.
I need to start planning now.
Is that you?
I encourage you start usingthe tools as an ASRT member that
are already built for, foryou, proven and tested to work again.
They're not just prepping youfor the present, they're mapping
out your future.
(16:55):
How many of us have gone on a trip?
I got a story where my sisterand I drove cross country.
She was moving from west coastto east coast and I said, yeah, I'm
going to ride with you.
We're going to do a crosscountry trip, y' all.
I think she and I need to do aYouTube video on how funny and scary
that trip was.
Map out.
Map out your plan because wedidn't map it out very well.
Like we ran out of money.
(17:16):
I'm not going to bore you withit here, but.
And make sure you stay tuned.
I'm going to tell that storyone day, but she's got to come on
and tell it with me because itis absolutely hilarious.
So again, the SRT membershipmaps out your future.
So we're going to recap thatquick because that was a lot to digest.
I know it was a lot for me tosay, but that's a lot.
So quick recap, directedreadings and webinars gives you a
(17:37):
front row learning that helpsyou grow in your current role and
prep for future ones.
We're always thinking aboutstrategy, you guys.
This is not just what's goodfor now.
That is the beauty of being anASRT member.
You are around like mindedpeople that encourage you to do things
for not just the present, butfor the future.
The second recap is thought leadership.
(17:59):
ASRT is speaking up for us sowe're not just left outta conversations
that affect our careers.
And this is everyone.
Thirdly, career pathing.
They're giving you actualdata, real data, real trending data
and tools to move forward, notjust to stay in place.
So the ASRT isn't perfect, butthey're showing up.
We do that every day in ourown lives, right?
(18:21):
How does it feel when someonejust shows up for you even in their
Most imperfect state.
They're trying.
Right.
We can all relate to that.
They're trying to make surethat technologists and therapists
don't just survive in this profession.
We grow, we lead and we stay respected.
And all we have to do is usewhat's available to us.
(18:41):
They want to make it easy.
So here's some real worldexamples of innovation.
We're going to talk about anactual innovation shift.
AI and MRI is already here.
Whatever your modality is, Ichallenge you to go and research,
sit with your radiologist,talk to your leaders, find out from
your mri, your medical safetyofficer, your radiation safety officer.
(19:02):
How is AI affecting my job?
How am I using AI?
If you're working in medicalimaging, AI is most likely been in
your department and maybe youdon't know is there.
I challenge you.
That would be the first stepand I know radiologists will welcome
you in to ask that question.
They are so excited to talkabout that.
That's one of the things I'mgoing to tell you.
(19:23):
If you want to get on a goodside of a radio radiologist and get
a conversation going, talkabout AI and their job.
They get so passionate abouttheir job and how AI.
AI is assisting.
It's not taking over and theywant to share it so they can give
you insights.
You all.
That's just a tip of realworld innovation when it comes to
the SRT and the innovations of AI.
(19:44):
They've released resources onhow AI is being ethically implemented.
That's very important for youto not only answer others, but to
answer for yourself.
You may have fear that AI istaking over your job.
You don't really understandhow it's working.
They've got resources for youat the asrt.
They're even educatinglawmakers to make sure regulations
(20:04):
don't leave technologists andtherapists behind.
Same goes for radiationtherapy, adaptive planning, motion
tracking, precision dosing.
These are kind.
These are the kinds of thingsthat ASRT builds into their continuing
education and policy work.
So what does it mean for youand I if we want to thrive in this
profession for the next 5, 10,20 years, we must do our part.
(20:28):
You need to be part of aprofessional association that evolves
with technology.
No more standing still.
No more planning for the right now.
We're planning for the future,y' all.
SRT is making that possible.
You get access to educationaltools that prepare you for new roles.
You stay informed throughresearch and industry updates and
you become part of acollective voice that ensures we
(20:50):
don't get left behind.
We don't just work in imaging.
We are the future of imagingand only if we stay engaged.
So here's what I want from you today.
Thank you for being a listener.
I want you to go to asrt.orgbeseem learn what the ASRT is doing
to advance our profession.
To advance our profession Joinif you haven't engage if you have
(21:14):
already been a member, here'sthe how and why it matters.
Number one I want you to go tothe asrt.org be seen today not tomorrow.
Today.
Why?
Every day you wait is a dayyour peers are building advantages
you don't have.
Step 2 Choose the membershiplevel that fits your career stage.
Why Basic membership pays foritself and your first salary negotiation.
(21:37):
Advanced credentials can add$5,000 plus annually to your earning
potential.
Step 3 Complete one learningpath in the next 30 days why you
need quick wins to build momentum.
Pick something adjacent towhat you've already what you're already
doing.
If you're in ct, learn aboutcardiac applications.
If you're in generalradiography, explore advanced positioning
(21:59):
techniques.
Step 4 Engage with thecommunity within 60 days why knowledge
without networking is justexpensive hobby learning.
The real value comes fromprofessional relationships.
Here's why this matters rightnow for new text, you're building
the foundation of your 30 year career.
Plus the habits you establishin your first five years determine
your trajectory for the next 25.
(22:21):
For experienced technologistsand therapists, the industry is changing
faster than ever.
Your 10 to 15 years ofexperience are valuable, but only
if you can apply them to newtechnologies and workflows.
For those veterantechnologists and therapists, you
have knowledge that new techsthat new technologists need, but
you need their freshperspective on emerging technology.
(22:44):
SRT creates that bridge.
Bottom line, in five yearsthere will be two types of medical
imaging professionals thosewho adapt and those who get left
behind.
ASRT membership is how youensure you're in that first group.
Your career is too importantto lead to chance.
Your patients deserve atechnologist and therapist who are
current.
(23:04):
Your profession needs leaderswho are engaged.
So Again, go to asrt.orgbesene Join today.
Your future self will thank you.
Until next time.
This is Sean reminding youthat professional development isn't
about getting better, it'sabout staying relevant, staying sharp,
staying current and staying connected.
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