Staffing shortfalls in imaging and nuclear medicine are already creating bottlenecks in patient care. And without the right recruiting partner in your corner, you could run into slower diagnostics, longer patient wait times, and higher costs.
Recent data illustrates the urgency:
- In the U.K., the latest survey shows a 12 % vacancy rate in nuclear medicine roles, including 12 % for clinical scientists and 14 % for technologists. This shows an unsustainable trend that demands immediate action.
- A broad U.S. study of imaging departments showed that for the nuclear medicine technology discipline alone, vacancy rates hit 14.5 % in 2023, which is a record high across modalities.
- Across the EU, 45 % of radiologists are over 51. This signals looming retirement gaps that could strain the diagnostic workforce even further.
For HR teams, talent acquisition leads, and departmental recruiters focused on nuclear medicine and radiology functions, this means:
- You’re competing in a tight labor market for niche specialists like nuclear medicine technologists, nuclear radiologists, and imaging physicists.
- Speed matters; delayed hiring directly impacts throughput and patient experience.
- Expertise matters; you need partners who understand the technical, regulatory, and credentialing nuances of nuclear imaging.
For organizations building or scaling nuclear medicine services or replacing aging talent in imaging disciplines, a strong recruiting partner can be a force multiplier.
In this article, we’ll look at the top staffing companies that specialize in nuclear medicine and nuclear radiology talent. We’ll show you what they deliver, how they work with hiring teams, and what key questions you should ask before you partner.
What is a Nuclear Medicine and Nuclear Radiologist Staffing Firm?
When your hospital or imaging center is short a nuclear medicine technologist or nuclear radiologist, operations slow down. Scans get delayed, reports get backed up, and patient satisfaction drops.
That’s where specialized staffing firms step in.
These firms focus exclusively on connecting healthcare organizations with credentialed nuclear imaging professionals. Unlike general recruiters, they understand the clinical, regulatory, and logistical demands of this field, whether you need a PET/CT technologist, radiation safety officer, or board-certified nuclear radiologist.
For HR leaders and department heads, top nuclear staffing partners typically provide:
- Pre-vetted candidates with verified licenses, credentials, and modality-specific experience
- Flexible coverage models, including per diem, locum tenens, travel, or permanent placement
- Full compliance support with credentialing, background checks, and state/federal regulation alignment
- Rapid turnaround times to reduce costly downtime in diagnostic operations
- Market intelligence on compensation benchmarks and hiring feasibility by region
The right partner helps you hire faster, reduce risk, and maintain continuity of care in one of the most specialized and competitive areas of healthcare staffing.
Benefits of Working with a Nuclear Medicine and Nuclear Radiologist Staffing Firm
Nuclear medicine professionals or nuclear radiologists are high-skill, compliance-heavy roles. And every day a position sits open adds pressure, longer wait times, and potential revenue loss. That’s why more healthcare leaders are turning to specialized staffing firms.
Let’s see how the right partner can help you out:
- Faster fills for hard-to-staff roles: These firms already have pipelines of vetted nuclear medicine professionals, many of whom aren't on public job boards. Across healthcare roles, the average time to fill is 56 days, but nuclear staffing partners dramatically shorten that gap through pre-qualified talent pools. That means faster onboarding and minimal diagnostic downtime.
- Higher-quality candidates: Generalist recruiters might get you applicants, but nuclear staffing firms get you professionals with the exact certifications, modality experience, and licensure you need.
- Fewer compliance headaches: Credentialing delays can kill your timeline. In fact, credentialing and enrollment teams report high turnover (above 57 %) and many say their staffing levels are “inappropriately low”, which slows everything. By working with a staffing partner who handles background checks, license verification, and regulatory paperwork, you can reduce these delays and risks.
- Flexibility in coverage: Need a PET tech for just two weeks? Or a board-certified nuclear radiologist for a long-term locums assignment? These firms offer per diem, contract, temp-to-perm, and direct-hire models so you only pay for what you need.
- Market intelligence that helps you compete: Great firms bring data like compensation benchmarks, market demand analytics, and job feasibility by location, so your offers actually convert.
- Less drain on your internal team: A specialized staffing partner takes recruiting off your desk and delivers candidates who are already vetted to match your needs. This saves your team from rounds of back-and-forth and hours spent screening.
TL;DR: Best Nuclear Medicine and Nuclear Radiologist Staffing Firms
- AAG Health: AAG Health provides rapid, compliant placement of board-certified nuclear radiologists and technologists, backed by full credentialing, 24/7 support, and a 90-day replacement guarantee.
- Quality Temp Staffing: Quality Temp Staffing focuses solely on nuclear medicine technologists in Southern California. They offer a direct-employment model that improves team fit and reduces compliance risk.
- AMN Healthcare: AMN Healthcare’s app-powered platform gives hiring teams instant access to nationwide NMT talent with real-time visibility into availability, pay, and placement timelines.
- Life Science Search Partners: Life Science Search Partners offers boutique-level search for nuclear medicine professionals, using deep specialization to match candidates to your team’s culture and clinical needs faster.
- TRX International: TRX International brings a rare, cross-industry nuclear focus. They source top-tier nuclear medicine professionals globally, with a level of compliance fluency and technical screening most firms lack.
The Best Nuclear Medicine and Nuclear Radiologist Staffing Companies
If you're ready to stop chasing candidates and start partnering smarter, here are some of the top firms that specialize in nuclear medicine and radiology staffing.
1. AAG Health
At AAG Health, we specialize in connecting hospitals, imaging centers, and healthcare networks with credentialed nuclear medicine technologists and radiologists. Our focus is on precision, speed, and compliance to ensure that every placement strengthens your team and supports uninterrupted patient care.
Through our advanced sourcing infrastructure and proprietary data platform, we help healthcare organizations fill critical imaging roles quickly and confidently. We’re proud members of the American Staffing Association (ASA). This reflects our commitment to national standards of excellence and ethical practice.
On average, we complete placements within 55–90 days and achieve an 80 % success rate on exclusive searches. Our proprietary recruitment platform generates over 400 candidate inquiries daily, which allows us to match top-tier, board-certified professionals to your needs.
We also offer a 90-day replacement guarantee to ensure confidence in every hire. Whether you need short-term locum coverage or long-term talent, we deliver fully vetted clinicians who integrate seamlessly into your operations and improve diagnostic efficiency across the board.
Key services:
- Rapid sourcing and placement of board-certified nuclear radiologists and nuclear medicine specialists (permanent and locum)
- Full credentialing and vetting tailored to nuclear modalities (PET/CT, SPECT/CT, theranostics)
- Teleradiology services for 24/7 diagnostic coverage and faster turnaround times
- Flexible staffing models: temporary, long-term, and surge or after-hours support
- Workforce-planning consulting: market intelligence, demand-supply analytics, and compensation benchmarking
- 24/7 staffing support and candidate pipeline for hard-to-fill nuclear medicine and radiology roles
Why work with AAG Health?
Partner with AAG Health to access a recruitment team that understands the precision and compliance demands of nuclear imaging. We deliver speed, accuracy, and continuity so your organization stays fully staffed, compliant, and focused on exceptional patient care.
2. Quality Temp Staffing
Quality Temp Staffing (QTS) is a Southern California–based agency specializing in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging recruitment. The firm connects healthcare providers with experienced professionals such as PET/CT technologists, radiation safety officers, nuclear cardiology technologists, and imaging supervisors to support diagnostic and therapeutic services.
QTS follows a direct employment model, which emphasizes workforce stability and compliance with employment regulations. All candidates undergo comprehensive screening, background checks, and credential verification before placement. The agency provides staffing for both short-term and long-term positions, with a focus on maintaining consistent availability and continuity of care within nuclear medicine departments.
Key services:
- Rapid placement of highly qualified nuclear medicine technologists (PET/CT, nuclear cardiology, therapeutic NM, molecular imaging)
- Full vetting and credentialing: background checks, credential validation, practical assessments specific to NM tech roles
- Coverage of both short‑term (gap, maternity leave, surge) and long‑term staffing needs
- Ongoing support post‑placement: follow‑up, performance monitoring, integration support
Why work with Quality Temp Staffing?
They specialize in the nuclear medicine technologist niche (not general imaging techs or generic radiology staffing), and they have built a region‑specific pipeline in one of the most competitive markets (Southern California).
3. AMN Healthcare
AMN Healthcare provides nationwide staffing solutions across all radiology and imaging settings, including hospitals, outpatient centers, diagnostic labs, and surgical facilities. With over 30 years of experience, the firm offers one of the largest networks of radiology technologists, nuclear medicine specialists, and imaging clinicians available for travel, per diem, temporary, or permanent placements.
The company maintains a strong emphasis on credentialing, diversity, and imaging safety, supported by a dedicated team handling recruitment, licensing, and 24/7 clinical support. Its data-driven processes and continuing education programs help maintain service quality and clinical consistency across multiple imaging disciplines.
Key services:
- Nationwide travel and temporary placement of nuclear medicine technologists and allied imaging staff
- Permanent/full‑time placement support for nuclear medicine, PET/CT, and nuclear cardiology technologists
- Candidate portal/app platform for job search, profile management, weekly pay insights (e.g., NMT travel roles listed with weekly pay range)
- Imaging‑professional resources: salary guides, modality-specific specialization insights, market demand data
- Flexible engagement models like travel, contract, and permanent allow your facility to scale up or cover gaps in nuclear diagnostics without long lead times
Why work with AMN Healthcare?
AMN Healthcare provides access to a broad pool of radiology and imaging professionals across multiple care settings. The firm’s structured credentialing, workforce management tools, and 24/7 operational support make it suitable for facilities managing varied or high-volume staffing requirements.
4. Life Science Search Partners
Life Science Search Partners brings more than 15 years of dedicated headhunting experience in this space. They focusing only on roles for nuclear medicine physicians, technologists, and leadership teams. According to their website, they maintain a targeted “Nuclear Medicine Headhunters” practice group that works across physician, technologist, and leadership levels.
During each engagement, they dive deeply into both the technical requirements (nuclear imaging subspecialty, PET/CT, theranostics) and organisational fit (culture, leadership style, and relocation readiness). This means your hiring team gets someone tuned into both the modality and your environment.
Key services:
- Tailored search & placement of nuclear medicine professionals (physicians, technologists, department directors)
- Candidate vetting that includes technical skills, background, subspecialty credentials, relocation, and culture fit
- Access to both active and passive nuclear medicine talent networks (including those not actively job‑hunting)
- Support for interim/contract placements and long‑term, permanent hires aligned with client strategy
Why work with Life Science Search Partners?
They offer a boutique and deeply specialized search capability that’s exclusively focused on nuclear medicine and nuclear imaging disciplines. This specialization means faster, better‑matched candidates who understand your unique demands and can hit the ground running.
5. TRX International
TRX International operates at the intersection of nuclear energy, advanced imaging, and technical recruiting. This means they source professionals who understand highly complex domains like nuclear medicine, PET/CT, radioactive materials, and regulation‑intensive workflows.
Their approach includes both permanent and contract staffing across operational support, project delivery, and nuclear medicine domains. This is especially valuable if your hospital, imaging centre, or radiopharma partner needs talent who can navigate nuclear‑specific compliance, supply chain, or radiopharmacy contexts.
Key services:
- Search and placement of nuclear imaging / nuclear medicine professionals, including technologists, specialists, and leadership roles
- Permanent & contract staffing solutions for nuclear medicine programmes, as well as broader nuclear‑industry talent
- Global talent database access, allowing sourcing beyond local/regional talent shortage markets
- Candidate verification: CV review, technical screening, relocation readiness, and nuclear‑specific compliance vetting
Why work with TRX International?
Because they’re one of the few firms that recruit exclusively within the nuclear ecosystem, from energy to medicine.
While TRX brings strong global reach, AAG Health may be a better choice for organizations that need rapid, clinically matched placements and deeper operational consulting support within nuclear medicine and radiology departments.
6. Globe Locums
Globe Locums is one of the few staffing firms in the UK that combines clinician-led leadership with a global allied-health candidate pool. This makes them a great match for health systems dealing with post-pandemic backlogs, skill shortages, or nuclear medicine service gaps.
They offer insourcing solutions to tackle waitlist backlogs, temporary cover during staffing gaps, and long-term recruitment campaigns for hard-to-fill nuclear medicine technologist and imaging roles. They also have over 80,000 registered clinicians and a framework-approved partnership with NHS trusts, which means you get speed and compliance at scale.
Key services:
- Sourcing of nuclear medicine technologists and radiographers across the UK, ROI, and Australasia
- Framework-approved NHS staffing (temporary, insourcing, permanent)
- Insourcing services for diagnostic backlogs, with on-site delivery teams
- “Collaborate” VMS platform to streamline hiring, supplier management, and reporting
- International recruitment campaigns with licensing and relocation support
Why work with Globe Locums?
Because they’re run by clinicians, which means they understand the clinical pressures of nuclear medicine staffing and can deliver professionals who meet real-world workflow, safety, and patient-care demands.
7. Preferred Healthcare Staffing
Preferred Healthcare Staffing serves hospitals and imaging centers across the U.S. They place technologists in travel, contract, temp‑to‑hire, direct hire, and even per‑diem roles (especially in California). Their radiology division explicitly lists the role of “Nuclear Medicine Technologist” among its specialties.
They’re great at making sure that candidate skills, experience, and preferences match your facility’s specific needs, which helps you connect with technologists who can handle your modalities and fit into your team culture.
Key services:
- Travel, contract, temp‑to‑hire, and direct‑hire placement for technologists in CT, MRI, mammography, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, etc.
- Per‑diem staffing solutions (especially in California) to cover short‑term or variable‑volume needs
- Radiology‑division specialists who understand imaging modalities and credential/licensing requirements
- Candidate‑preference matching: evaluating the skills, workflow fit, and employment desires of technologists to improve matches and retention
- Nationwide service footprint to help your HR or talent acquisition teams tap into broader pools when local scarcity hits
Why work with Preferred Healthcare Staffing?
Preferred Healthcare Staffing is one of the few staffing firms offering per diem nuclear medicine technologists in California. This makes them perfect for imaging centers that need fast, short-term coverage without long onboarding cycles.
How to Choose the Right Nuclear Medicine and Nuclear Radiologist Staffing Firm
Not all staffing firms are built for nuclear. When the roles you're hiring require licensure, subspecialty experience, and zero margin for error, you need someone who understands this challenging and unique market.
Let’s see how to evaluate whether a firm can actually deliver or not:
1. Confirm true specialization
Many firms say they recruit in “allied health,” but few truly understand nuclear medicine credentialing, radiation safety standards, or subspecialty training pathways. If a firm’s language stays vague, “imaging roles,” “diagnostic staff,” or “clinical support,”; that’s a warning sign.
Ask how many nuclear professionals they’ve actually placed in the past year and in what modalities. You’ll quickly see who’s built real expertise and who’s generalizing.
2. Check their compliance depth before signing
Licensure and radiation safety requirements vary by state, and a missed credential can halt your service line overnight. The right partner handles this seamlessly, tracking every verification, exam, and background check.
If they expect your HR team to manage that burden, it’s a red flag. A smart question to ask is: “What’s your typical credentialing turnaround time, and how do you maintain compliance for nuclear roles?”
3. Evaluate the strength of their candidate pipeline
The best firms already know the specialists you’ll need before you call. They keep an active roster of nuclear medicine technologists, radiologists, and physicists ready for assignment.
If a recruiter admits they’ll need to “start looking” after you sign, it usually means they rely on job boards instead of long-term relationships. Ask how many pre-vetted nuclear professionals they can access immediately.
4. Assess flexibility across coverage models
Staffing needs in nuclear medicine shift constantly, including medical leave, new scanners, extended hours, or expanding service lines. A strong firm adapts fast, offering per diem, locum, or permanent solutions without pushing one over the other.
If an agency only talks about full-time hires, it likely lacks the bench to scale. It’s worth asking how they help clients flex staffing based on patient volume or scheduling demands.
5. Ask for real market intelligence
A credible staffing firm can explain where the talent is, what competitive pay looks like, and how your job compares regionally. If they can’t back recommendations with data, you risk underpaying or overpromising.
Ask what labor insights they provide, salary ranges, role viability by geography, and average fill times, to guide your hiring decisions with evidence, instead of assumptions.
6. Gauge how well they understand workflow and team fit
Technical skills alone aren’t enough in nuclear medicine. Candidates must integrate into established imaging workflows, handle patient throughput efficiently, and collaborate across modalities.
If a recruiter talks only about resumes instead of how candidates function in live clinical settings, that’s a miss. Ask how they screen for communication, adaptability, and performance under high-volume conditions.
Partner with AAG Health for Fast, Compliant Nuclear Imaging Placements
If you're hiring nuclear medicine technologists or nuclear radiologists, your challenge is to protect continuity of care, hit throughput targets, and stay compliant under pressure. The right staffing partner can give you back control, speed, and strategic breathing room.
That’s where AAG Health stands out. Unlike firms that just source resumes, AAG/H brings data-driven consulting, proprietary compensation benchmarking, and real-world hiring strategy into every engagement.
From solving rural hiring bottlenecks to deploying predictive culture analytics, AAG Health gives HR teams and clinical leaders everything they need to move faster and hire smarter. For organizations that can’t afford hiring delays or misfires, AAG Health is the clear standout.
FAQs
1. What qualifications should a nuclear medicine technologist have?
Nuclear medicine technologists should hold ARRT(N) or CNMT certification, state licensure where applicable, and documented training in radiation safety, PET/CT, or SPECT/CT procedures.
2. How long does it usually take to hire a nuclear medicine technologist?
Hiring timelines vary, but on average, it takes 6–8 weeks to complete sourcing, credentialing, and onboarding. Specialized staffing partners often shorten this process significantly.
3. What’s the difference between locum tenens and permanent placement in nuclear medicine staffing?
Locum tenens positions fill short-term coverage gaps, while permanent placements integrate professionals long-term. Many firms like AAG Health offer both, depending on your workload and staffing continuity goals.
4. Why is credentialing more complex for nuclear medicine roles?
These roles involve handling radioactive materials and specialized equipment, so credentialing must include radiation safety verification, isotope handling authorization, and state-specific licensing.
5. What types of nuclear medicine roles does AAG Health specialize in?
AAG Health recruits board-certified nuclear radiologists, nuclear medicine technologists, and related specialists such as PET/CT technologists, radiation safety officers, and imaging physicists. The firm supports both permanent and locum placements across hospitals, imaging centers, and healthcare networks nationwide.
6. How does AAG Health ensure credentialing and compliance for nuclear imaging hires?
AAG Health manages the entire credentialing process, including license verification, background checks, and radiation safety validation. Each candidate is vetted for state-specific licensure, federal compliance, and facility credentialing requirements to ensure seamless onboarding and operational readiness.
7. Does AAG Health offer support beyond placement?
Yes. AAG Health provides post-placement support, 24/7 staffing assistance, and a 90-day replacement guarantee for all engagements. The firm also offers workforce-planning consulting, compensation benchmarking, and teleradiology or telehealth staffing options to help clients maintain continuous coverage and operational efficiency.
