Across the country, healthcare systems are facing critical workforce shortages. At Nebraska Medicine, the Department of Diagnostic Radiology has taken this seemingly impossible challenge and turned it into an opportunity for growth.
As a finalist for Cassling’s Imaging for Impact Award, the department has used education, mentorship and recognition to bolster its recruitment and retention efforts. The department has already seen a measurable impact on their workforce, with the real impact extending far beyond the hospital walls, positively impacting the patients who rely on their expertise.
Read on to learn how they’re setting the stage for a successful future for the field.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Imaging Professionals
For Becky Wolf, Radiology Operations Manager for Diagnostic Radiology at Nebraska Medicine, an opportunity to job shadow, along with having a radiologic technologist in the family, inspired her to pursue a career in medical imaging.
“When I was young, I got to witness a healthcare field on the verge of technology,” said Becky. “And that truly set me on a path for success, both for creating a career that would allow me to help others, but also to continuously learn.”
Understanding the value of early exposure to the field, Becky knows that creating a pipeline for talent is critical to the department’s long-term success. At Nebraska Medicine, fostering that pipeline begins as early as grade school. By offering early career exploration programs, the department meets potential applicants where they are.
Rad Academy is one such program. An immersive program geared towards high school students with an interest in healthcare, it is designed to specifically generate awareness about a career in medical imaging.
“We teach students about the history of radiology,” said Becky. “We also have a lot of fun, which truly piques their interest. We have received feedback that several students who have attended Rad Academy have actually decided to pursue a career in medical imaging afterwards. And that, to me, is the most meaningful feedback we could get.”
By engaging students early and introducing them to the technical side of the radiology field, Nebraska Medicine is not only inspiring individual career paths but securing the future of the imaging profession itself. Programs like Rad Academy are planting the seeds for a new generation of technologists who will ensure patients continue to receive the highest standard of diagnostic care.
Building Confidence with Hands-On Experience
The Student Tech Trainee program is the department’s next level of outreach. It’s a hands-on program for students in their second year of education at Nebraska Medicine’s educational partners, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Clarkson College.
The program provides students with real-world experience, offering them the opportunity to work in the department as a temporary, limited technologist. It allows students to build the skills and confidence that Nebraska Medicine looks for when hiring technologists.
Having participated as a student herself, Becky is passionate about the program’s impact on students’ career journeys.
“They truly become a part of our team,” said Becky. “It serves as a foundational role for them to transition into full-time employment, not only in the diagnostic radiology department, but across Nebraska Medicine.”
The Student Tech Trainee program helps bridge the gap between education and employment, turning students into skilled professionals ready to make an impact from day one.
Together, these early education and hands-on training programs form the foundation of the department’s workforce strategy, but the commitment to growth doesn’t stop there.
Growing from Within: Mentorship that Empowers Technologists
Imaging leaders understand that recruitment is only half of the workforce battle. Retaining top talent requires thoughtful mentorship, and Nebraska Medicine has taken an innovative approach with the addition of a specialized role within the department: the Radiology Professional Development Specialist (RPDS). This dedicated role supports both new and tenured technologists, ensuring a smooth onboarding experience and continued professional growth.
The RPDS plays a key role in onboarding, guiding new technologists through their first days on the job, introducing them to the team and pairing them with experienced preceptors. The RPDS also provides ongoing support to those preceptors, ensuring they have the tools to be successful mentors. The role also ensures tenured technologists are connected to monthly standardized education and the annual competencies needed to advance their professional development.
“Those meetings create a space where technologists feel safe to ask questions,” said Becky. “They stay curious and learn new things.”
By nurturing the development of its workforce after they’ve joined the team, the department has created an environment where technologists feel supported and empowered to deliver their best work. For patients, that means safer, more efficient care.
Celebrating the Heart of Radiology
Early education and mentorship have laid a strong foundation for the department’s recruitment and retention success, but sustaining excellence also comes from recognizing the contributions of its workforce.
Celebrating team members for their hard work and dedication reinforces the very culture that draws technologists to Nebraska Medicine and inspires them to stay.
“Our technologists are definitely the heart of our department,” said Becky. “Their expertise, their dedication and everything they do to provide compassionate care for our patients is truly inspiring to watch and humbling as a leader.”
At Nebraska Medicine, the iTEACH values (innovation, teamwork, excellence, accountability, courage and healing) serve as the foundation for that compassionate care. Technologists are celebrated through programs like the Radiating Excellence Award, a peer-nominated award for those who embody the organization’s values.
The department also participates in the Sunshine Award, which honors non-nursing professionals, like radiologic technologists, for providing compassionate, patient-centered care. Nominations come from colleagues or even patients and their families.
“They put their heart and soul into taking care of our patients,” said Becky. “A lot is done behind the scenes and we may not see it. So, when a patient or family takes the time to fill out a nomination and it gets to us, it’s something we want to celebrate.”
This culture of appreciation not only boosts morale but also strengthens the sense of purpose that keeps technologists engaged in their work. The powerful combination of recognition and values-driven leadership creates a dedicated workforce that is positioned to thrive for years to come.
A Workforce Built to Last