How to Become a Travel Radiology Tech
Are you ready to combine your passion for healthcare with a love for travel? Travel radiology tech jobs offer an exciting opportunity to see the country while building a rewarding and lucrative career. Whether you're already a radiologic technologist looking to expand your horizons or new to the field, travel radiology technologist jobs might be the fulfilling career move you've been searching for.
But how do you get started?
This blog will walk you through everything you need to know about becoming a travel x-ray tech, from required certifications to the benefits of this exciting career path.
What Is a Travel Radiology Tech?
At its core, a travel radiology tech is a certified radiologic technologist who takes temporary assignments in various healthcare settings across the country. These highly skilled professionals use imaging equipment, such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scanners, to help diagnose medical conditions.
Travel x-ray tech jobs are similar to standard radiology tech roles but with a key difference: they allow you to work in different cities, states, or even rural areas, depending on the assignment.
Why Consider Becoming a Travel Radiology Tech?
Competitive Pay
One of the major draws is the impressive travel radiologist salary potential. Not only do travel radiology technologist jobs offer higher pay rates than permanent positions, but many roles also include housing stipends, travel reimbursements, and bonuses.
Curious about how much travel radiology techs make? Salaries typically range from $50,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on certifications, experience, and job location. Rural or in-demand areas tend to offer higher compensation.
Professional Growth
Travel radiology jobs expose you to a variety of healthcare settings, from major urban hospitals to small rural clinics. This range of experiences helps sharpen your skills, build your resume, and open more opportunities for career advancement.
Adventure and Flexibility
Imagine hiking in Colorado one month and exploring the beaches of Florida the next! Travel x-ray tech jobs allow you to choose assignments in locations you're excited about, giving you the ultimate work-life balance.
Sense of Community
Joining a travel healthcare network ensures you're not alone. Recruiters, housing coordinators, and other traveling healthcare professionals provide a strong support system, making every adventure feel less daunting and more fulfilling.
How to Become a Travel Radiology Tech
If the benefits sound appealing, you’re probably wondering how to launch your career as a traveling radiology technologist. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown to get started.
Step 1: Earn Your Radiologic Technologist Certification
To qualify for travel radiology jobs, you must first become a certified radiologic technologist. This involves completing an accredited radiologic technologist program and passing the certification exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
Make sure your certifications are up to date. While most travel x-ray tech jobs require ARRT certification, having additional credentials in specialized imaging modalities like CT or MRI can open more doors.
Step 2: Gain Valuable Experience
Most travel radiology technologist jobs require at least one year of hands-on experience. This ensures you're equipped to handle the demands of new assignments with little onboarding time. Project confidence and proficiency in your skillset, as competitive roles often favor candidates with a strong track record.
Step 3: Choose a Reputable Travel Staffing Agency
Working with a trusted staffing agency, such as AMN Healthcare, is one of the easiest ways to secure x-ray travel jobs. Agencies handle everything from job placement and salary negotiation to housing arrangements, making your transition into traveling seamless and stress-free.
Step 4: Prepare Your Documentation
Facilities often fill open travel positions quickly, so it’s vital to have all paperwork ready:
- Updated resume highlighting your experience and credentials
- Copy of ARRT certification and any state licenses
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
Your assigned recruiter will also help build your profile, ensuring it stands out to hiring managers.
Step 5: Apply for Travel Radiology Tech Jobs
Once your profile and skills checklist are complete, your recruiter will send job options based on your preferences. You'll have the flexibility to choose assignments that match your desired location, pay, and schedule.
Positions in high-demand areas often fill fast, but don’t worry. Agencies like AMN Healthcare give their travelers access to exclusive listings, reducing competition and increasing your chances of landing the perfect role.
Step 6: Ace the Onboarding Process
After accepting an assignment, you’ll typically undergo a brief onboarding process, which may include a background check, drug screening, and a physical. Recruiters guide you through every step, allowing you to focus on your upcoming assignment.
Rad Tech FAQ
What is a radiologic technologist?
Radiologic technologists are healthcare professionals trained to perform diagnostic imaging procedures such as X-rays and CT scans. They assist doctors in diagnosing and treating medical conditions by providing high-quality images for analysis.
What certifications are neededto be a travel radilogy tech?
To work as a travel radiology tech, ARRT certification is required. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is also a common requirement. Additional certifications in CT or MRI imaging are highly recommended for broader opportunities.
How much does a travel rad tech make?
The travel radiologist's salary varies by location, experience, and job demand. On average, travel radiology techs earn between $50,000 and $120,000 annually, with additional perks like housing stipends included.
What’s the rad tech job outlook?
The need for radiologic technologists is growing, especially in underserved rural and urban areas. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for radiology professionals is projected to increase by 6% through 2031, making this a stable and in-demand career choice.
Your Next Step Towards a Fulfilling Career
Becoming a travel radiology tech combines the best of both worlds for healthcare professionals who crave adventure and career advancement. Whether it’s the competitive pay, exciting destinations, or diverse work environments, this career path offers endless opportunities for personal and professional growth.
If you’re ready to take the leap, there’s no better way to start than with AMN Healthcare. From exclusive job listings to personalized support, AMN streamlines the entire process, so you can focus on providing exceptional patient care. Get Started with AMN Healthcare
