If you’re recently certified or a seasoned CT technologist looking for opportunities to advance your career and travel to exciting new locations, you might be considering travel healthcare. As a travel CT tech, you can sharpen your skills in your field while you explore diverse cities and cultures. 

Curious about how to become a travel CT tech? Well, this guide is all you need. 

We’ll cover essential insights into how to transition into the field (including core components of the role), how to gain experience as a travel CT tech, and how to land your first travel dream job.

Understanding the Role of a Travel CT Technologist

First, let’s dive a bit deeper into the role and responsibilities of a travel CT tech. In this role, you’ll carry out similar duties to an staff CT tech, including: 

  • Preparing patients for procedures and positioning them for scans
  • Performing procedures by facility protocol
  • Operating imaging machines and medical devices to capture images for patient diagnosis 
  • Overseeing patient transport 
  • Communicating and comforting patients throughout the imaging process

To the experienced CT tech, these responsibilities may sound familiar, but the role of a travel CT tech differs from a staff CT tech in a few key ways. First, travel CT techs fill staffing shortages in high-need areas, so be prepared for fast-paced orientations and short adjustment periods before you pack up and head off to your next assignment. As a travel CT tech, you can also expect to: 

  • Work short-term contracts – Most travel healthcare contracts last for about 13 weeks, (but some can be as short as 4 weeks and as long as 18.) You can choose to take a break between contracts, but generally, you’ll start planning your next assignment around the 6-week mark.
  • Navigate diverse settings – As a travel CT tech, you may work in a variety of different care settings such as hospitals, clinics, and outpatient imaging centers in cities across the country. 
  • Collaborate with new team members – Because you’ll be working in new environments every few months, you’ll have to adjust to new people and personalities, too. Be prepared to collaborate with physicians and radiologists you might not have worked with before. 

Now that you have a sense of what to expect as a travel CT tech, let’s refresh the educational requirements for the role. 

Educational Requirements for Travel CT Technologists

After you’ve received an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational program in radiologic technology, additional certifications and experience may be necessary before you begin your career as a travel CT tech (more on this later). 

You can also choose to pursue specialization and continuing education to increase your expertise and become an asset in your field. 

Specializations and Continuing Education 

Choosing a specialization is not required to become a travel CT tech, but it can certainly strengthen your resume and even help you stand out to hiring managers looking to fill a critical gap in their staff. Common specializations like oncology CT imaging and pediatric CT imaging broaden your skill set and can give you an edge over other applicants. 

In addition to a specialization, ongoing education (like supplementary degrees and courses) is crucial to stay up-to-date with current practices and tech advancements. Now, let’s talk about certifications and licensing to become a travel CT tech. 

Certification and Licensing for CT Technologists

When you’re learning how to become a CT tech who travels, four certifications and licenses are crucial to understand. If you haven’t already, obtaining the following certifications can open the door to endless travel possibilities:

  • ARRT Certification – Aspiring travel CT techs have to pass the ARRT exam and register with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists to begin their travel practice. 
  • CT Certification – After you’ve received your ARRT certification, you’re eligible to complete your computed tomography (or CT certification) through the ARRT. CT certification includes completing 16 hours of structured training through an accredited college program and at least 125 CT scans under the supervision of a registered radiologist.
  • State-Specific Licensure – Most states require CT techs to hold a state-specific license. Before you embark on your first travel CT tech adventure, check to see if your dream destination requires licensure, and that you meet individual state requirements.
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) – Most hospitals and hiring managers will expect travel CT techs to be certified in Basic Life Support to assist in an emergency. 

Aside from obtaining certification, building on your experience as a technologist can prepare you for life as a travel CT tech.

Gaining Experience as a CT Technologist

As we mentioned earlier, clinical experience is key to thriving as a CT technologist, and even more important in a travel role. Don’t forget you’ll be working with complex technology in ever-changing care environments—feeling comfortable and confident as a CT tech is the first step to thriving in travel healthcare. 

So, how long does it take to become a CT tech? Well, each job listing and facility may have its minimum experience requirements, but most hospitals and clinics hiring for travel positions look for 1-2 years of staff experience before you’re considered eligible to apply for a travel role. 

To that end, your home hospital can be an invaluable training ground as you prepare to transition into travel healthcare. 

How to Transition to a Travel CT Technologist Role

The role of a travel CT tech can be rewarding, yet demanding, too. As you consider how to become a CT technologist in travel healthcare, a smooth transition period can make all the difference. 

Below, we outline three tips for a successful transition. 

Broaden Your Skill Set

Most hospitals hiring for travel positions look for skilled and experienced CT techs who can meet the demands of this dynamic role. Apart from your education and credentials, continue to broaden your skills even as you transition from a stationary CT tech to a travel one. 

For example, ask your Director of Imaging to observe and assist in procedures you may be unfamiliar with or processes you’d like to brush up on so you’re prepared to take on every challenge within the CT department.

Practice Soft Skills, Too

Soft skills like communication, adaptability, and flexibility are essential in the fast-paced role of a travel CT tech. Practicing these skills in the familiar environment of your home hospital can prepare you for success on day one of your first travel assignment. 

Connect With a Staffing Agency 

A staffing agency is a must-have for aspiring travel CT techs (even ones with years of experience under their belt). 

At Host Healthcare, our dedicated recruiters are ready to answer all your questions on interview best practices, housing contracts, and more so your transition into the career of your dreams is as streamlined and stress-free as possible. 

Finding Travel CT Technologist Job Opportunities

Luckily for aspiring CT techs, there’s no shortage of job opportunities in the field. Not to mention, CT tech jobs are expected to rise 6% by 2031. But finding the right position and location can be challenging when there are so many enticing options to choose from. 

To get started, research potential assignments in hospitals or locations you’ve always dreamed of visiting. Keep in mind that pay and cost of living can vary based on location too. To simplify the process, connect with a staffing agency that has your back. 

At Host Healthcare, we offer priority access to exclusive job opportunities in locations across the country. What’s more, we simplify all the administrative tasks involved in the job search so you can focus on growing in your field. 

Preparing for Life as a Travel CT Technologist

Have you imagined what it would be like to explore the neighborhoods of New York City and enjoy the natural beauty of Seattle’s surrounding landscape? Do you envision a career that challenges you to grow personally and professionally? As a travel CT tech, you can do all that and more. 

While the lifestyle of a travel CT technologist is an exhilarating one, it might be different from what you’re used to as a staff CT tech. Preparing for a life in travel healthcare can lay the groundwork for a successful (and enjoyable) travel allied career. 

Update Your Credentials

Ensure your CT tech resume and credentials are up-to-date before you apply for travel positions. A clean resume and current credentials can ease the switch to a travel role and ensure you’re ready to take on your next adventure. 

Get Comfortable with Frequent Travel

Travel is just one of the many perks in the life of a CT tech, but it can be tiring. Maximize your travel experience by planning ahead, packing light, and taking breaks along the way. 

As you journey from one location to the next, don’t forget to lean on your community for support. Create connections with your peers, and reach out to a trusted staffing agency for additional support when you need it.

Launch Your Career as a Travel CT Tech with Host Healthcare

Whether you’re a new or experienced travel CT tech, consider partnering with Host Healthcare. 

At Host Healthcare, we know how fast-paced the life of a travel CT tech can be. That’s why we provide round-the-clock support starting from your very first assignment. How? Well, our responsive recruiters are on-call to match you with the job of your dreams, while our housing specialists assist you in finding your home away from home. What’s more? We offer day-one medical, dental, and vision benefits in addition to other perks. 

Are you ready to launch your career in travel healthcare? Apply today to get started.

 

Sources: 

“Discover the CT Technologist Career Path.” Moffitt Cancer Center, February 26, 2024, https://www.moffitt.org/careers/career-compass/discover-the-ct-technologist-career-path/. Accessed September 1, 2024.

“​​Is Travel Nursing Right for You? Pros and Cons of Travel Nursing.” Post University, September 28, 2022, https://post.edu/blog/pros-and-cons-of-travel-nursing/. Accessed September 1, 2024.

Das, Bidisha. “How To Become a CT Scan Technologist: A Complete Guide.” Indeed, July 26, 2023, https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-in to-become-cat-scan-technologist. Accessed September 1, 2024.

“Radiologic and MRI Technologists.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, August 29, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm#tab-6. Accessed September 1, 2024.