Radiology technicians are the professionals who operate medical equipment to capture images of what’s going on inside someone’s body. Thanks to the work of rad techs, radiologists are able to interpret the results in order to diagnose and treat patients. Whether a patient needs a routine mammogram, an x-ray, ultrasound, computer tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scan, or fluoroscopy, a rad tech manages the exam processes from beginning to end. Explaining procedures to patients, operating, adjusting, and maintaining testing equipment, recording test results, and collaborating with radiologists to share and interpret test results are all fundamental responsibilities of a rad tech.
Maybe you’ve met a rad tech when you broke your wrist or when you went in for your annual mammogram. Perhaps you even mistook them for a nurse – something that happens so frequently that there is a niche market for “I’m not the nurse” merchandise targeted towards irritated rad techs (yes, really). Despite the profession’s often overlooked significance, believe it or not, radiology technicians are the third largest group of healthcare professionals. They are the backbones of radiology and the eyes of medicine.
Because there are many variations of what a medical imaging exam can look like, it’s no surprise that ‘radiology technician’ is an umbrella term for other specialized roles that include bone density tech, cardiac catheterization tech, computed tomography (CT) tech, fluoroscopy tech, MRI tech, ultrasound tech, and many more. Once you earn a radiology technician certificate or an associate degree in the field, the wide range of specializations allow the opportunity to find a more niche role that is specific to your interests within the industry.
Year after year, there is a continuous increase in the number of chronic diseases across America. Paired with the growing size of the older population who require diagnostic procedures, more people will need radiology techs to perform imaging exams to make diagnoses and to work with radiologists to create treatment plans. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for radiology technicians will increase by 6% from 2021 to 2032, which is faster than the average of all other occupations within the healthcare industry. About 15,700 openings for radiologic and MRI technologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade and many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
With the ever-growing demand for radiology technicians, there has been an explosion in the need for travel radiology technicians, too. While there is virtually no difference in duties if you are a travel rad tech, there is a significant difference in pay. Travel rad tech jobs generally pay a much more competitive rate, in addition to meal and housing stipends provided by staffing agencies like ours, Freedom Healthcare Staffing. Alongside higher pay rates, here are some other advantages to being a traveling rad tech:
Flexibility
One of the most effective ways to prevent burnout is autonomy over your schedule. It’s up to you to decide which travel assignments you will or won’t take, how busy you want to be, and when it’s time to take a break.
Collaboration/Networking
Radiology techs naturally work closely with other healthcare professionals such as radiologists, nurses, and doctors. This could open new doors to advance your career.
Opportunities for Growth
As previously mentioned, the demand for travel rad techs is always increasing. However, the level of demand varies by city. If you’re in a region where radiology technologist jobs are hard to come by, the traveling path can open doors you never knew existed. Companies like Freedom are your backstage pass to hospitals and facilities all over the country, and we can help you discover opportunities you may not have realized before.
Secondly, because a career as a travel rad tech allows you to work within various healthcare settings, you may pick up new skills and techniques, further broadening your experience and career potential.
Ability to Travel
Although an obvious advantage, the ability to travel the country and experience new places is an exciting aspect of the travel rad tech life. Have you dreamt of exploring the rural countryside? Dying to try fresh seafood? You are in control of what assignments you will or won’t accept.
Competitive Pay
You can receive nearly double the pay as full-time employees working as an Allied Health Professional travel tech. Freedom allots stipends for meals and housing in addition to your base pay.
Our recruiters work tirelessly to match our travelers with Freedom hospital partners that are short-staffed, as well as negotiate your contract so that you receive higher pay and a schedule that aligns with your needs. Freedom handles all of the housing and transportation logistics so that all you have to do is show up and work the agreed upon length of your contract. If the hospital’s need persists, they may offer a contract extension, which you have the autonomy to accept or reject. Freedom pays you, offers benefits and provides support throughout the entirety of your travel assignment.
At the end of the day, radiology technicians undeniably serve as pillars of the healthcare industry and we at Freedom are committed to providing travel assignments that treat you as such. Are you an experienced radiology technician looking to embark on a new journey? Learn more here or apply for a travel rad tech position today! If you are a healthcare professional with rad tech friends, refer them to us and enjoy the benefits of Freedom’s referral rewards program. We offer an ongoing commission for every hour your referrals and your referrals’ referrals work during their first two years with us.