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Radiology’s ‘Zombie’ Jobs, Vendor Results, and FFR-CT Guidelines
June 8, 2026
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Together with
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“Nebraska has 53 radiology openings and 36 of them have been sitting unfilled for over two months. The lowest-population states show stuck-rates 40% higher than the highest-population states. The shortage isn’t national – it’s concentrated in places radiologists won’t move to.”
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Kirill Lopatin, founder and CEO of xAID and RadBoard.io.
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The temperature’s rising, and with it the pre-summer conference season is heating up. SNMMI 2026 wrapped up last week, and this week SIIM 2026 will convene in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Your team from The Imaging Wire will be on hand covering all the proceedings, so give us a shout – we’d love to see you! – Brian Casey, Managing Editor
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Is radiology’s workforce shortage really just a matter of “geographic inconvenience?” A new report suggests that job shortages are mostly isolated to areas that radiologists consider to be less desirable geographically, where “zombie jobs” go unfilled for months.
The workforce shortage in radiology (and healthcare for that matter) has become a common refrain, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Exam volumes are rising steadily with an aging population, but the radiology workforce remains static.
At least, that’s how the story goes. But a new study from RadBoard.io challenges that narrative, claiming that many radiologist openings are going unfilled because they are in geographically undesirable areas.
- RadBoard’s Kirill Lopatin analyzed 20.8k job postings in the U.S. over 78 days that represented 11k unique job ads (at least 47% of ads were just re-posts of the same role, but the number is probably much higher).
The study found that of the postings with complete “lifespans” (from initial posting to deactivation)…
- 25% were filled in less than one week, and another 12% in 7-14 days.
- 28% took 31-60 days to fill.
- 2.3% took 61-90 days (and maybe even longer).
So nearly one-third of radiology job ads were open longer than a month, leading RadBoard to conclude that radiology didn’t have a single fill rate for open positions – “it has two markets layered on top of each other.”
- RadBoard called radiologist job ads open for more than 60 days “zombie jobs,” with some markets having higher “stuck rates” as calculated by ads open longer than 60 days divided by total open job ads.
States with the worst job markets by stuck rate included Nebraska (68%), Minnesota (41%), and Washington state (35%).
- At the other end of the spectrum were Florida (18%), Texas (15%), and New York (14%).
This led RadBoard to conclude that the radiologist shortage was not a national problem – it was concentrated in areas where radiologists didn’t want to live.
- Also, jobs in stuck markets paid $175k less than those in faster-cycling markets ($550k vs. $725k) – the opposite of what might be expected in a scarce market.
The Takeaway
The new numbers offer an eye-opening look at the narrative around the radiologist shortage, indicating that it may be more nuanced than previously thought. And the subtext to the data hints at the divide in U.S. healthcare between rural areas and metropolitan regions.
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KLAS-Leading Enterprise Imaging
Get set to see KLAS-leading enterprise imaging with AGFA HealthCare at SIIM 2026. Discover how their enterprise imaging IT technologies can empower your radiology facility at booth #308-310.
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Top-Tier Care in the Rural Setting
Holzer Health System in Jackson, OH, treats local patients like family. In this video, learn how United Imaging equipped Holzer Health with its uMR 570 MRI scanner, helping them to offer top-tier care.
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See Your One-Year Return in 30 Seconds
What’s the return on investment for echo AI? Check out this online calculator from Us2.ai to find out how much capacity AI adds, the additional echo scans that capacity buys you, and the net new revenue.
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- Imaging OEMs Continue Positive Trend: In the latest round of radiology OEM financial results, most vendors continued the momentum they showed earlier this year. Quarterly revenues were reported for GE HealthCare Imaging and Advanced Visualization Solutions divisions (+7.7% to $3.64B), Siemens Healthineers Imaging division (+6.1% to $3.45B), Philips Diagnosis and Treatment division (+2% to $2.14B), Fujifilm healthcare division (+2.4% to $1.5B), Canon Medical Systems (+3.4% to $980M), and the Varex medical division (+1.3% to $156M).
- Guidelines for When to Use FFR-CT: SCCT has issued a new set of guidelines for when to use CT-derived fractional flow reserve for cardiac patients. Published in JCCT, the guidelines analyze the literature, list commercially available solutions, and cover the techniques used for FFR-CT analysis, recommending its use for patients with stable chest pain and stating it is “reasonable” for acute chest pain, TAVR work-up, and three-vessel obstructive coronary artery disease. It also lists the indications for which more evidence is needed, like assessing coronary allograft vasculopathy.
- Chest X-Ray AI Predicts Lung Woes: An open-source AI algorithm that analyzed chest X-rays was able to detect problems with lung function before symptoms were evident. In a new paper in CHEST, South Korean researchers used the CXR-Lung-Risk algorithm retrospectively on 231.3k people who got chest X-rays and spirometry from routine health check-ups. People with CXR-Lung-Risk scores indicating accelerated aging had 37% higher odds of preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) and 58% higher odds of obstructive lung disease (OLD), suggesting CXR-Lung-Risk could detect pulmonary dysfunction opportunistically.
- 4DMedical Launches PE Research Study: 4DMedical is collaborating with Mass General Brigham on a new research project to show the value of its CT:VQ technology for diagnosing pulmonary embolism. Called CLEAR, the $2M study will compare CT:VQ to CT pulmonary angiography, which has seen rising use for PE diagnosis even as its diagnostic efficiency has declined – raising questions about unnecessary imaging. With the move, 4DMedical is targeting new markets for CT:VQ in emergency and acute imaging.
- Dynamic DR for Heart Condition: Dynamic digital radiography can help diagnose pulmonary valve regurgitation, a heart condition that can occur after surgery for tetralogy of Fallot. Japanese researchers in Radiology used DDR from Konica Minolta to acquire sequential X-ray images between breatholds in 72 patients, then analyzed temporal changes in pixel values in the pulmonary arteries. DDR had 93% accuracy for detecting pulmonary regurgitation, indicating it could bridge a gap between echocardiography and cardiac MRI – which is not widely available – for diagnosing the condition.
- Konica Minolta Expands DR Analytics: In other Konica Minolta news, the company announced a new version of its AeroRemote Insights analytics and monitoring platform for DR systems and wireless flat-panel detectors. Konica Minolta partnered with Quinsite to offer new dashboards that give users a better view into DR workflow, exam rejection rates, and system performance. Exams can be viewed by location, site, and technologist, as well as radiation exposure data.
- Quibim Updates Prostate Software: Quibim upgraded its flagship QP-Prostate software with new capabilities for analyzing MRI scans for prostate cancer. V3.0 addresses one of the major challenges of prostate imaging, assessing the transition zone of the prostate gland. It includes improved transition zone detection, as well as better performance on 1.5T MRI scanners. Quibim noted that QP-Prostate V3.0 is not yet available in all global markets.
- Cortechs Links with Microsoft Reporting: Neuroimaging software developer Cortechs.ai signed an agreement with Microsoft to integrate its quantitative imaging applications with Microsoft’s radiology reporting technology. Cortechs’ offerings, including its NeuroQuant and OnQ Prostate solutions, will be integrated into Microsoft’s PowerScribe One application. Cortechs will also use Microsoft’s Azure cloud infrastructure.
- United Imaging’s Ultrasound Clearance: United Imaging’s move into the ultrasound segment got a boost with FDA clearance of six of the nine uSonique scanners the company debuted at RSNA 2025. The scanners range from cardiovascular to women’s health to radiology, and the FDA clearance applies to Genesis for general imaging, Pulse for cardiovascular applications, and Venus for OB/GYN, as well as Nova, Vita, and Grace.
- GE Gets New MIM Clearance: GE HealthCare received FDA clearance for a new version of its MIM Contour ProtegeAI auto-contouring software for radiation therapy planning. Version 2.0 includes new models for planning MR brain and CT pelvis treatments, and the clearance also includes a predetermined change control plan that allows GE to introduce future model updates without having to secure new clearances.
- Philips Inks WellSpan Agreement: Philips signed a seven-year agreement with WellSpan Health that includes a research collaboration as well as the provision of new medical imaging systems. WellSpan is a community health system that serves central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland, and the agreement establishes Philips as its preferred vendor for CT, MRI, digital X-ray, ultrasound, and image-guided therapy. Philips and WellSpan will also conduct research validating how new tools like AI improve throughput, cost, and workflow efficiency.
- Mach7 Highlights eUnity Capabilities: Mach7 Technologies will highlight new capabilities for its eUnity enterprise viewer at SIIM 2026 this week. The enhancements include support for enterprise imaging workflows with additional imaging specialties like digital pathology. The company will also highlight VNA modernization strategies and interoperability, and is sponsoring a June 10 presentation on integrating pathology and other ‘ologies into enterprise imaging.
- RadNet Seeks $200M Loan: RadNet’s rapid acquisition drive may not be over. The imaging services company is seeking a $200M loan that it plans to use to fund future acquisitions. RadNet has been one of the primary drivers of consolidation in the radiology AI segment through its DeepHealth subsidiary, acquiring Gleamer earlier this year and iCAD in 2025.
- GE Hit with Patent Lawsuit: As reported by Bloomberg, GE HealthCare has been hit with a lawsuit filed by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center over technology used to reduce artifacts caused by patient motion on PET/CT images. In a lawsuit filed in a Delaware federal court, MSK alleges that GE’s MotionFree technology for using respiratory gating to create motion-corrected images violates patents. The patents were assigned to MSK attending physicist Adam Kesner, PhD, and use fluctuations in image data over time to derive motion signals. A GE spokesperson said the company does not comment on pending litigation.
- Imagion Moves MRI Contrast Forward: MRI contrast developer Imagion Biosystems hit a milestone in its development of MagSense, a contrast candidate that doesn’t use gadolinium. The FDA completed its review of MagSense’s IND application and issued a letter allowing research to proceed for a phase 1b/2 clinical study of the agent for HER2+ breast cancer. MagSense is based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and targets receptors on cancer cells – breast cancer is the first of what could become multiple clinical indications for the technology.
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Meet Merge at SIIM 2026
Built with clinical and technical expertise, guided by customer insights, and personalized to your needs, Merge imaging solutions deliver reliable imaging, less complexity, and better care. Learn more by booking a meeting at SIIM 2026, or stop by booth #204-206.
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Opportunistic Detection of CAC and Pulmonary Nodules
Achieve a newfound certainty of search for thoracic CT when using ClearRead CT from Riverain Technologies. It’s a natural addition for opportunistic CAC scoring and nodule detection, or as part of a CT lung cancer screening program.
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Why Radiology Reporting Needs a Reset
Radiologists are under growing pressure, yet many reporting tools still slow them down. Kailo Medical believes reporting should support clinical thinking, not add to the workload. Discover how their KailoAir solution can help you reset your reporting.
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- Don’t Just Migrate. Modernize: The PowerScribe 360 shutdown shouldn’t force you into another legacy system. Before committing, explore how Rad AI enhances speed, accuracy and reduces burnout – without major disruption. You have a choice at SIIM.
- IT Solutions for Radiologist Efficiency: Inefficiencies in reporting are some of the biggest challenges facing radiologists today. Learn how imaging IT solutions from Altamont Software can help radiologists work more efficiently in this Imaging Wire Show video.
- Designed for Your Emergency Challenges and Beyond: The Rembra CT scanner from Philips offers speed, access, and precision for excellent image quality at low dose, with fast, adaptable workflow for everything from routine exams to critical care. Discover its advantages today.
- Unlock Next-Level Diagnostic Possibilities: Photonova Spectra from GE HealthCare is designed to realize the full potential of photon-counting CT in oncology, cardiology, neurology, and more. Learn more about the difference its Deep Silicon technology makes on this page.
- Enterprise Imaging, Connected Workflows, and Practical Innovation: Join Mach7 Technologies at SIIM 2026 to explore how healthcare organizations are modernizing enterprise imaging workflows, improving interoperability, and simplifying access to imaging data across the enterprise. Visit them at booth #608.
- Transforming Radiography with Automation Intelligence: FDR Visionary Suite from Fujifilm Healthcare Americas is an innovative digital radiography solution designed to enhance the experience for both technologists and patients. It delivers impressive speed and repeatability for efficient, faster workflow, with automated positioning and optional, fully automated advanced applications.
- AI-Assisted Radiology Reporting: Move beyond legacy radiology reporting with AI-assisted reporting from Mosaic Technologies. See how Mosaic Reporting can help your organization move faster today while building for tomorrow.
- Visit Visage at SIIM 2026: At this year’s SIIM 2026, Visage Imaging will demonstrate its Visage 7 solution operating across the entire Apple ecosystem, including on Apple Silicon-powered workstations with multiple Studio Display XDRs. Book a priority demo today or drop by booth #404-408.
- A Radiology Question Bank with Analytics: Medality’s new DXIT/Core Radiology SmartBank powered by TrueLearn includes over 800 practice questions aligned to the Diagnostic Radiology In-Training and ABR Qualifying (Core) Exam Domain Blueprints. Assess your readiness for test day now.
- The Power of a Smooth Go-Live: Don’t gamble on your healthcare institution’s go-live: take control of your PACS migration with ENDEX from Enlitic. Discover how ENDEX uses AI to standardize, normalize, and cleanse your imaging metadata before migration.
- Connect Imaging Across Every Care Setting: Join Intelerad at SIIM 2026 to learn how you can connect across every care setting, eliminate disks, and accelerate diagnosis with a network clinicians trust. Book a demo today or drop by booth #305.
- Intelligent Imaging in Radiography: As a technologist, you face tight schedules, complex exams, and the need for consistent quality. Check out this article from Siemens Healthineers to learn more about their intelligent imaging solutions and see what experienced colleagues have to say about using them.
- Building Bridges Across Imaging Informatics: Visit Medicom at booth #615 at SIIM 2026 to see how their automated workflows move every image to where it needs to go, connecting patients, providers, EHRs, and research teams without manual workarounds. Book your demo today.
- Radiology Case Report: A man in his 40s presented with a known metastasis within his abdomen. Learn how contrast-enhanced MRI helped to diagnose the extent of his disease.
- Elevating Breast Cancer Detection: Breast Suite from DeepHealth is a new package of AI-powered solutions delivering increased breast cancer detection rates, risk stratification tools, and viewing and reporting workflow acceleration. Find out how it can benefit your practice today.
- Leadership in Life Sciences: Quibim is committed to accelerating its development within the life sciences sector and strengthening collaborations with leading pharmaceutical companies. Learn about recent leadership developments that are moving the company forward.
- Join Sectra at SIIM 2026: Visit Sectra at SIIM 2026 as they showcase their complete enterprise imaging offering with Sectra VNA and award-winning Best-in-KLAS Sectra PACS for radiology, pathology, and cardiology at its core. Book a meeting or drop by at booth #407.
- Radiology Automation Simplified: CARPL is an enterprise-grade radiology AI validation and deployment platform with 250+ AI applications across 85+ AI vendors that empowers healthcare providers to access, assess, and securely integrate imaging AI in their practice. Book a demo today.
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