How to Become a Travel Rad Tech: Your Complete Guide

Embarking on a career as a travel radiology technologist, often called a travel rad tech, offers a unique blend of professional growth and personal adventure. These essential healthcare professionals operate imaging equipment to produce crucial diagnostic images. If you’re wondering How To Become A Travel Rad Tech, know that demand surged during the pandemic and remains high, with numerous assignments available across the United States, offering diverse locations and work environments.

“We have many radiology tech jobs currently, even though the COVID crisis has somewhat calmed,” confirms Jodi S., principal recruiting consultant at AMN Healthcare. “It’s a very popular travel occupation, and there are positions all over the country. You don’t need a license in every state, so there are some states where you can start fairly quickly.”

While sought-after destinations like Hawaii, Alaska, and California are perennial favorites, and Florida gains popularity in winter, opportunities in less conventional locales, such as rural South Dakota, might offer higher compensation. Reputable agencies like AMN Healthcare typically provide competitive pay, comprehensive health benefits, and retirement plans for their travel rad tech positions. Collaborating with an experienced recruiter is key to finding assignments that align with your career goals and personal preferences.

Essential Qualifications for Travel Radiology Techs

To qualify for roles as a travel radiology tech, specific credentials and experience are necessary.

Primarily, certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is mandatory. Jodi emphasizes that travel rad techs must hold ARRT certification in radiology (R) or computed tomography (CT). She strongly advises obtaining both certifications, as this significantly broadens the range of available assignments.

“Candidates find that many of the posted positions might be for CT, but then they find out in the interview that they’re going to be doing some x-ray, too,” Jodi explains. “So, it’s good to have both and get that experience under your belt because you’ll have even more positions to choose from.”

Furthermore, a minimum of one year of practical experience as a radiology technologist is typically required before transitioning into travel roles.

Be prepared for competition, especially for assignments in desirable locations or during peak seasons, as these often attract numerous applicants. Jodi notes that job competitiveness can depend on the location, time of year, and the specific job’s bill rate. Having all your documentation and information readily available allows you to submit applications promptly, giving you an edge over other candidates.

Steps to Becoming a Travel Radiology Technician

According to Jodi, once you decide to pursue travel radiology tech jobs, the journey to your first assignment involves several key steps facilitated by your recruiter.

Step 1: Complete Your Work Profile and Skills Checklist

If you haven’t already, submitting a short application or initiating contact with a recruiter is the starting point. You’ll need a current resume detailing your work history with precise start dates, educational background, and credentials (including ARRT and Basic Life Support – BLS, if applicable). Crucially, provide professional references from supervisors or team leads, not just peers. This information forms the basis of your professional profile, highlighting your strengths for potential hiring managers. Recruiters at agencies like AMN Healthcare actively assist candidates in crafting compelling profiles.

Step 2: Define Your Travel Goals and Motivation

A successful placement hinges on clear communication with your recruiter. Be prepared to discuss your desired start date, your reasons for wanting to travel, and your priorities for an assignment (e.g., location, pay, facility type). Understanding your motivations helps the recruiter filter opportunities effectively and find the jobs that genuinely match your needs.

Step 3: Explore Available Travel Rad Tech Jobs

Once your profile and skills checklist are finalized, your recruiter will begin presenting suitable job openings. They will provide details about the assignments, work expectations, and compensation packages. Review this curated list of “good fit assignments” and inform your recruiter which positions you wish to pursue. Your recruiter will then submit your profile to those facilities on your behalf.

Step 4: Prepare for Interviews and Job Offers

After submission, the timeline varies; some facilities conduct interviews swiftly, while others might make offers based solely on the profile. Partnering with a large agency like AMN Healthcare can be advantageous, as they often have exclusive contracts with healthcare facilities, potentially reducing the competition for certain positions. Your recruiter is a valuable resource for interview preparation, offering insights and suggesting pertinent questions to ask hiring managers. Before accepting an offer, consider asking about the average caseload per tech, the facility’s reasons for needing travelers, and the potential for contract extensions.

Inspiring allied health traveler James Tom, a cancer survivor, featured in an AMN Healthcare blog post

Partnering with a Staffing Agency like AMN Healthcare

Choosing the right staffing agency is crucial. “AMN Healthcare is one of the largest travel staffing companies and offers more exclusive contracts than most, which cuts down on the number of resumes you have to compete with,” states Jodi. Beyond job access, top agencies provide comprehensive support, including benefits like “401k, workman’s comp, full health insurance, dental, vision, and more.” Jodi adds, “AMN also has extensive resources and many different departments, so everybody works together with the recruiters to move candidates along smoothly.”

Once you accept an assignment, the onboarding process begins. This typically involves background checks, physical exams, and drug screenings, though specifics can vary by assignment. Your agency, like AMN Healthcare, will coordinate logistics, offering free housing or a housing stipend and covering relevant travel expenses. The onboarding phase usually takes two to three weeks, with your recruiter guiding you through each requirement.

Conclusion

Becoming a travel rad tech involves meeting specific certification and experience requirements, clearly defining your goals, and navigating the application and interview process strategically. Partnering with a reputable staffing agency like AMN Healthcare provides access to exclusive jobs, comprehensive benefits, and dedicated support throughout your journey, from profile creation to onboarding and beyond. By following these steps and leveraging the resources available, you can successfully launch a rewarding career traveling the country as a radiology technologist.