| edical field is advancing quickly, and some hospitals are | | | | Physicians and other technologists tend to have a |
| feeling the pull. With a shortage of technicians hitting | | | | great deal of respect for those with radiology travel |
| many health care facilities, the need for those with a | | | | jobs. The fact is that the traveling techs need to be |
| background in radiology is increasing. That's why the | | | | more adaptive to their surroundings, and they need to |
| idea of traveling radiology jobs is becoming more | | | | know their job well enough to handle it under various- |
| popular. With fewer technicians onsite that know how | | | | sometimes hectic- conditions. The traveling techs also |
| to handle aspects of radiology care, hospitals are | | | | have the advantage of being exposed to various |
| asking the techs to come to them. And the demand | | | | ways of doing things, and may have access to more |
| for these trained individuals is growing every day. | | | | current methods and information than those techs |
| If you're interested in a radiology job, chances are | | | | employed at just one hospital. |
| good you may be asked to travel. Many radiologists | | | | If you ask a hospital staff, they'll tell you that they will |
| love the idea of going where they are most needed, | | | | avoid using traveling radiology techs whenever |
| and the chance to see the country while performing | | | | possible, just because of the problems that can arise. If |
| their jobs is a great benefit. | | | | the tech is delayed, for example, patients might be |
| While the idea of radiology jobs based on travel | | | | forced to miss a crucial X-ray or treatment. It's a lot to |
| certainly isn't an ideal solution, it is a quick and efficient | | | | gamble on. Eventually, most hospitals hope to hire their |
| way to make sure everyone gets the care they need | | | | own in-house techs, and at that time the demand for |
| regardless of where they're located. | | | | those willing to do radiology travel jobs will probably |
| So how does it work? Typically, a technologist who is | | | | decrease. |
| willing to travel will be employed by an agency. The | | | | In the meantime, however, there is a rising demand for |
| agency will put the tech in contact with various | | | | this type of technician. If you're interested in a radiology |
| facilities, and the tech will sign a temporary contract | | | | travel job, now may be the best time to get involved. |
| with a hospital or clinic. The usual length of a contract | | | | As a traveling radiology tech, you will receive full health |
| with a radiologist on a travel basis is three months. The | | | | insurance and benefits, and be considered a full-time |
| employee will be bussed or driven to the hospital | | | | employee by the agency that handles your dispatches. |
| location. All expenses for the tech are generally paid | | | | The agency will set up contacts with hospitals in the |
| for by the hospital, and equipment is supplied on the | | | | areas where you are willing to travel. Often the |
| premises. | | | | agency and various hospitals will have connections, so |
| For a radiology job involving travel, the tech may have | | | | that the same techs may return to the same hospitals |
| to adjust to several factors all working at once to | | | | time and again. Over time, relationships develop |
| create a constantly changing work environment. Often, | | | | between the travel techs and the clinics they visit, and |
| hospitals will have varying procedures and different | | | | both learn to count on each other to perform their jobs |
| types of equipment, so there's little knowing what to | | | | correctly. |
| expect until the tenure at the temporary location | | | | At this time, there are about 900 radiology travel job |
| actually begins. | | | | agencies in the United States. |