Whether you’re a current radiology technologist or an aspiring one, you may have considered the exciting opportunities to grow in your field, like pursuing a specialty or becoming a travel radiology tech. 

The life of a travel healthcare professional combines career advancement and adventure. Just imagine: you’ll travel to the destinations of your dreams while building skills in diverse care settings.

Curious about how to become a travel radiology tech? This guide covers everything you need to know, including the details of the role, how to gain experience as a travel tech, and steps you can take to prepare for your first travel assignment. 

What Is a Travel Radiology Tech?

Before we dive deeper into the life of a travel radiology tech, let’s clarify their role. A travel radiology tech specializes in performing X-rays, ensuring proper imaging and safety protocols are followed. These duties are similar to that of a staff tech and include:

  • Examining patients using X-ray technology to produce diagnostic images
  • Ensuring proper safety protocols, such as shielding patients from radiation
  • Positioning patients to capture accurate X-ray images
  • Communicating with patients to ensure comfort and understanding during the process
  • Maintaining accurate records and preparing imaging results for review

While these responsibilities might sound familiar if you’re a tech who has performed before, several key differences make the role of a travel tech so exhilarating. To start, travel techs often fill critical staffing shortages , so be prepared to bring your broad skillset to each assignment and hit the ground running from day one. As a travel radiology tech, you can also expect: 

  • Temporary contracts – Unlike traditional radiology techs who work in a single care facility, travel radiology techs take on temporary positions in various healthcare settings across the country. Contracts typically last up to thirteen weeks, and you’ll start to map out your next assignment around the halfway mark. 
  • Fast-paced orientations – ​​The orientation period for travel radiology techs is typically short and can feel fast-paced. In just a few days, you’ll familiarize yourself with different equipment, workflows, and team members. 
  • New care settings – Because travel radiology techs accept temporary assignments in different care settings every few weeks, you’ll be expected to adapt to new hospital layouts and new people and personalities, too. 
  • Frequent travel – Frequent travel is at the core of the role, so be prepared for lots of movement. The best part? This mobility offers the chance to explore new destinations and cultures.

Now that you’re familiar with the details of the role, let’s explore essential skills that can help you thrive as a travel radiology tech.

Essential Skills Needed for Travel Radiology Techs

As we mentioned earlier, travel radiology techs are crucial to delivering imaging services across diverse and fast-paced healthcare settings. And don’t forget you’ll be working with a revolving team of radiologists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals, too. For this reason, cultivating several essential skills can help you adjust (and grow) in this dynamic field like:

  • Strong communication 
  • Collaboration 
  • Patience 
  • Compassion
  • Adaptivity 
  • Problem-solving 
  • Basic knowledge of anatomy
  • Math and computer skills
  • Technical skills 
  • Safety protocol skills 

Educational Requirements for Travel Radiology Technologists

Apart from developing hard and soft skills, there are several educational requirements to meet before you can start your travel practice. So, how to become a radiology tech? Let’s review the education and certification requirements that can prepare you for success.

Earn a Degree

If you haven’t already, aspiring travel radiology techs must earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in an accredited radiology program. This includes both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training, covering essential topics such as anatomy, patient care, radiation safety, and imaging techniques.

Obtain Certification 

After completing at least two years of higher education, you’re eligible to take the ARRT exam and register with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Most states require certification, but it also shows hiring managers you’ve completed the necessary training and established the skills to flourish in your field. Keep in mind, travel rad techs must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain certification.

Apply for State-Specific Licensure

Before you pack up and head to your dream destination, check the licensing specifications to ensure you’re eligible to practice there—some locations mandate travel rad techs to hold a license in that state to practice. If you do need to obtain state licensure, you must meet the individual state’s requirements and apply directly to that state. 

Gaining Experience in Radiology Tech Roles

Healthcare is an ever-evolving industry, so acquiring both theoretical knowledge and practical skills is vital. Hands-on experience through clinical placements and continuing education can position travel techs to: 

  • Master the use of advanced imaging equipment
  • Expand their understanding of patient care
  • Develop critical problem-solving abilities

Additionally, gaining experience can build the confidence needed to excel in the fast-paced environment of travel healthcare. Below, we break down just a few ways new and established techs can grow their skills. 

Start at Your Home Hospital 

Travel radiology tech requirements can vary from one care facility to another, but generally, one year of clinical experience is necessary before you can be a travel radiology tech. To that end, your home hospital can be an invaluable training ground to gain experience in your role. 

To start, seek opportunities to work with diverse patient populations and complex cases. You can also shadow highly experienced rad techs and observe them in various settings.

Pursue a Speciality

For the seasoned radiology tech, pursuing a specialty can build on the foundation of your experience and establish expertise in your field. What’s more, hiring managers often look for radiology techs that can broaden the skill set of their existing team—so a specialty can help you stand out during the application process, too. 

Continuing Education 

Continuing education helps even the most experienced rad tech grow (and maintain) their breadth of knowledge. If you want to broaden your experience in the field, attend workshops, and seminars, and take courses to stay up to date on new imaging techniques and technologies. 

How to Find Travel Radiology Tech Job Opportunities

With the demand for skilled radiologic technologists on the rise, it’s essential to know where to look and how to effectively market your skills. 

  • Update your resume – Ensure your rad tech resume and credentials are up-to-date to reflect your most recent education. Make sure your skills align with the job requirements as well. For example, apply for a position in pediatrics only if you have experience working with pediatric patients. Otherwise, consider alternative opportunities that better match your skill set. 
  • Network professionally –  Leverage your professional connections and networks, including colleagues and industry associations to learn about openings.
  • Partner with a staffing agency – At Host Healthcare, we offer travel radiology techs priority access to exclusive travel allied job opportunities in locations across the country. 

Plus, our dedicated recruiters offer 24/7 support throughout the entire application process, including resume assistance and interview prep to make the job search easy.

Preparing for Your First Travel Assignment as a Radiology Tech

Preparing for your first travel assignment can be both energizing and daunting. As you step into a new role and adapt to new care settings, thoughtful preparation is key. From understanding the specifics of your role to familiarizing yourself with the local culture, effective preparation can make a significant difference in your travel experience. 

Here’s what we recommend:

  • Research the facility – Learn about the hospital or clinic where you’ll be working, including its equipment, protocols, and work culture.
  • Organize your documentation – Gather and organize your credentials, including your resume, licenses, certifications, and any other required paperwork.
  • Connect with other techs – Reach out to current or former travel radiology techs for insights and advice about their experiences.
  • Pack strategically – Bring all necessary uniforms, equipment, and personal items. Don’t forget to consider the climate of your assignment location, too. 
  • Stay flexible – Cultivating a flexible mindset can help you prepare for potential changes in plans or procedures.

Navigating Housing and Travel Logistics as a Radiology Tech

Understanding how to manage accommodations and transportation effectively is crucial for a smooth transition into each new role. Plus, careful preparation can alleviate stress and allow you to focus on the opportunities ahead. 

  • Research housing options – Explore various accommodations, such as furnished apartments, extended-stay hotels, or short-term rentals, to find a comfortable and budget-friendly option.
  • Plan your travel – Book flights or other transportation well in advance, considering arrival times that allow for a smooth transition to your new location. Decide whether you’ll need a rental car, public transportation, or rideshare services to navigate the new city.
  • Map out local amenities – Familiarize yourself with the area, including grocery stores, hospitals, and other essential services, to ease settling in.
  • Utilize agency resources – Work with a staffing agency like Host Healthcare. Tell us about your dream destination and housing needs—our housing specialists will assist you in finding your home away from home. 

Tips for Succeeding as a Travel Radiology Tech

Succeeding as a travel radiology tech requires more than just technical skills; it demands adaptability, effective communication, and a proactive mindset. As you navigate various work environments and patient populations these strategies will equip you for success on the road and on the job: 

  • Stay current – Keep your skills and knowledge up to date with the latest radiology practices and technologies.
  • Prioritize self-care – Maintain your well-being through adequate rest, healthy meals, and setting aside time for personal activities.
  • Ask questions – Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification or assistance when you’re unsure about protocols or equipment. 
  • Seek feedback – Regularly ask for feedback from supervisors and peers to improve your skills and performance.
  • Have fun – Ultimately, the life of a travel radiology tech provides endless opportunities to learn and grow in your field and explore exciting new cities and cultures. Remember to have fun and enjoy the opportunities as they unfold. 

Kickstart Your Travel Career With Host Healthcare

Whether you’re a new or aspiring travel radiology tech, consider partnering with a staffing agency that has your best interests in mind. 

At Host Healthcare, we know how exciting and fast-paced the life of a travel tech can be. That’s why our responsive recruiters and housing specialists offer ongoing support from your very first assignment. Plus, every tech can expect day 1 medical, dental, and vision benefits along with other perks. 

 Apply today to kick-start your travel tech career. 

 

Sources: 

ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team. “What Is a Travel Radiologic Technologist and How to Become One.” ZipRecruiter, 2024, https://www.ziprecruiter.com/career/Travel-Radiologic-Technologist/What-Is-How-to-Become. Accessed October 23, 2024.

Indeed Editorial Team. “Radiologic Technologist Resume Skills (With Average Salary).” Indeed, August 15, 2024, https://in.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/radiologic-technologist-resume-skills. Accessed October 23, 2024.

“Radiologic Technologist.” Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 2023, https://college.mayo.edu/academics/explore-health-care-careers/careers-a-z/radiologic-technologist/. Accessed October 23, 2024.

Concorde Staff. “Day In The Life Of A Radiologic Technologist: Skills, Duties, and Work Environment.” Concorde Career Colleges, September 26, 2023. https://www.concorde.edu/blog/day-life-radiologic-technologist. Accessed October 23, 2024.

“State Licensing.” ARRT, 2024, https://www.arrt.org/pages/about-the-profession/state-licensing. Accessed October 23, 2024.

“Five Ways Radiologic Technologists Can Advance Their Careers.” Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, July 30, 2024, https://www.gurnick.edu/5-ways-radiologic-technologists-can-advancement-their-careers/. Accessed October 23, 2024.