Traveling job

lucky_yooh07 · Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Posts: 12

Hi! I have just started rad tech school and am wondering how you come by a traveling rad tech job and exactly what all does this entail? And my second question is, do general rad techs make more than mamographers or vice versa? Thanks alot!

ROXXY · Joined: 21 Feb 2009 Posts: 6

There are not many traveling jobs. I have applied to many and only got called 2 times and I needed to be licensed in the state. Unfortunatley you cannot get licensed in all states. Its very costly. What you could do is apply and get licensed in states you would like to work in and then you have a better chance. You can go online and google traveling x-ray techs and apply to each one. You have to wait till you are actually a tech though.

As far as pay, mammo techs make more money. If you have the chance to become a mammo tech take it. You will have a much easier time in the job market. The job market is not very good right now.

CTMRIGuy · Joined: 27 Oct 2008 Posts: 10

Traveling jobs are hard to come by especially for a recent grad and in the current job market. Most travel companies want you to have some experience so you're more comfortable working out on your own........

As you get closer to graduation, contact a few travel companies and let them know you are interested in working with them. I'd suggest not limiting yourself to just a single travel company but use several. How they work with you initially will give you some idea of how well they MAY work with you if you actually work for them on jobs.

Don't worry too much about getting "every state license". Many of the travel companies will help you through the paperwork (and some will even pay for your first state license for your first job with them.). Note: Some states are a bit more 'difficult' with their license requirements.

Good luck!

Cool

papa · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:57 am Post subject:

from a tech who tried the whole travel thing, i most definately agree with CTMRIGuy. as a recent graduate, i had signed up with an agency, and got my first assignment. however, when that assignment was completed, they didn't have any other assignments that fit my skills. therefore, i was automatically out of a job.

if you want to do nothing but agency work, you need to sign up with at least 3 - 4 companies. when your assignment is just about completed, call your agencies to find another assignment.

is this a possible carreer path? possibally. agency techs tend to rely more on the job market in that particular area. i.e. if there are openings that facilities are trying to fill, then there is the posibility of an agency tech working that position. however, if there is no position to fill, then you're out of luck.

agency techs are a special breed. they are ones who can think quickly on their feet, can learn and use many different types and styles of equipment quickly, and really aren't tied down with family etc. if you're young, free, willing to work odd hours/shifts, and want a very unique expierence in radiology, then go for it.

the licenses can most definately become an issue. i work in the washington DC metro area, and have worked in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. DC doesn't require a state license, but does require the ARRT registration. Maryland was 1 form to fill out, fax in, pay $50, and a week later i had my license in about a week. Virginia on the other hand, was a $200 fee, 4 page form, with a passport ID, notarized, and took about a month to recieve after i had FedEx'd it to Richmond. so yeah, if you've got money falling on trees, it's possible to be licensed nation wide (but if you've got that money tree, send some my way Wink

)

what i'd do, is search the stuff online now. granted, by the time you graduate, the market may be different, and everybody's hurting for techs. but if you start looking now, you'll have an idea of what's out there once you get there.
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Delusional Radiology
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