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Career Outlook for a Radiologic Technologist: Get Qualified and Get Traveling

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Ever thought of becoming a Traveling Radiologic Technologist? If not, perhaps you should.

Along with the benefits of being a traveling healthcare professional, Radiologic Technologists are in demand today. In fact, hospitals, imaging labs and outpatient centers depend on traveling radiologic technologists to service a growing number of patients who require X-rays, CAT scans and other diagnostic procedures.

As a traveling radiologic technologist, you can choose to spend the winter months enjoying the sunny, delightful weather of Florida, California or Arizona. Or spend the summer in New York , Colorado or Oregon. The choice is yours! And with each new area and setting you visit, you’ll gain new skills and experience in advanced radiologic techniques.

What Does a Radiologic Technologist Do?

In a nutshell, radiologic technologists are the health care professionals who perform diagnostic imaging procedures, such as X-ray examinations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and computed tomography (CT) scans. You might be helping patients and physicians with X-rays, CTs, MRIs, or sonography in specialties like cardiac, vascular, breast, bone, or nuclear medicine. Travel radiologic technologists work in settings that include hospitals, medical labs, diagnostic labs, physician offices, among others.

Sound interesting? Here are three reasons why you may want to consider a traveling radiologic technologist career:

Demand is High

The needs of an aging population are increasing the demand for radiology services. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment has been projected to grow 21 percent in the ten years leading up to 2022 – which is much faster than the average for all occupations in the U.S. As the population continues to age, there will be an increase in medical conditions such as breaks and fractures caused by osteoporosis, which can require imaging to diagnose them.

You Don’t Need Medical School

Radiologic technologists are educated in anatomy, patient positioning, examination techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety, radiation protection and basic patient care. Many radiologic technologists specialize in a particular area of medical imaging, such as mammography or computed tomography (CT scans).

Preparation for this profession is offered in hospitals, colleges and universities, vocational-technical institutes and the U.S. Armed Forces. You can search for accredited programs on the website of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology or on the website of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. To be eligible for certification exams, individuals must have earned a minimum of an associate degree – but many have earned bachelor’s or graduate degrees.

The Pay is Good

While actual salaries may differ from region to region, the median radiologic technologist’s salary was $71,670 in 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The lowest 10 percent earned a bit less than $50,220, and the highest 10 percent took home more than $99,180.

In reality, traveling radiologic technologists can earn a better salary than those working in permanent positions. Most professionals are paid a bit more since they’re being placed in areas with high demand. Plus, many travelers can receive contract completion bonuses, referral bonuses, comprehensive health benefits, and subsidized or free housing that can increase their total earnings.

A Final Word

A job as a traveling healthcare professional can open new doors for your career. So if you’re a radiologic technologist who loves to travel – or are thinking about becoming one –  this may be the ideal career for you.

At Focus Staff, we understand the ins and outs of traveling healthcare professionals and have access to a wide variety of excellent professional opportunities. If you’d like to learn more about a career as a radiologic technologist or other travel professions, contact us today.

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