In the face of a national healthcare staffing crisis, Akumin & Alliance Healthcare Services found a way to turn challenge into opportunity—recovering nearly $900,000 in revenue by reimagining how MRI technologists are trained. Their secret? A hybrid training model powered by ScanLabMR simulation software and structured didactic education.
The Crisis: MRI Staffing Shortages and Revenue Loss
With MRI vacancy rates hitting an all-time high of 16.2%, radiology departments across the U.S. are grappling with delayed patient care, staff burnout, and mounting financial losses. Akumin & Alliance, one of the largest outpatient radiology providers, faced weekly revenue losses of $41,250 per scanner due to backlogged MRI exams.
Traditional cross-training programs for technologists from other modalities (like X-ray or CT) took an average of 43 weeks—an expensive and slow path to competency. Each trainee represented nearly $39,000 in weekly lost revenue during their onboarding phase.
The Solution: ScanLabMR + Structured Education
Akumin & Alliance launched a pilot program using ScanLabMR’s virtual MRI simulator and structured education. This tech-enabled approach condensed the training timeline to just 22 weeks—a 49% reduction compared to legacy methods.
The program included:
- 4 weeks of immersive virtual simulation
- 2 weeks of hybrid onsite and virtual training
- 6 weeks of intensive onsite clinical training
This structure allowed trainees to build foundational knowledge remotely, practice real-world scenarios safely, and transition smoothly into clinical environments.
The Results: ROI That Speaks Volumes
The impact was immediate and measurable:
- $866,250 in recovered revenue over 21 weeks
- $34,506 saved per trainee in salary costs
Beyond financial gains, the program improved scan quality, reduced diagnostic errors, and boosted technologist confidence. Trainers reported unprecedented readiness among trainees, with less need for on-the-job correction.
The Future of Radiology Training
This case study underscores a broader shift in healthcare education: technology-mediated experiential learning is no longer optional—it’s essential. Remote MRI and CT simulators like ScanLabMR offer scalable, cost-effective solutions to train competent technologists quickly, helping facilities stay resilient amid workforce shortages.
Akumin & Alliance’s success story is a blueprint for healthcare organizations seeking to modernize training, recover revenue, and elevate patient care.
Source: Akumin and Alliance Version 2
AHEC Partnership with ScanLabMR and ScanLabCT
AHEC collaborates with ScanLabMR and ScanLabCT to provide advanced virtual simulator training solutions. These tools are integrated into our SERT (Stackable Education for the Radiologic Technologist) course offerings in MRI and CT, including the “MRI for the Radiologic Technologist” and “CT for the Radiologic Technologist” programs.
Course Structure
Each course is designed as a comprehensive 40-hour training experience, offering both initial and foundational instruction. They are tailored for licensed radiologic technologists, as well as radiation therapists and nuclear medicine technologists seeking to expand their expertise in MRI and CT modalities.
Upcoming Courses
Details and schedules for upcoming course offerings can be found at: http://www.aheconline.com.
