Traveling Radiographer/X-Ray Tech/Radiologic Technologist...?

Question

I'm finishing an associate degree in radiologic technology in Spring 2008. After establishing a year or two of experience, I'd like to become a traveling RT. I'm looking for advice on what agencies are best for that.

Every agency claims to be the #1 agency, with the best pay, best housing, best jobs, best locations, etc., and they can't all be telling the truth. Plus when I search for radiography jobs on their websites, most of them come up with zero.

Has anyone actually built a decent career as a traveling RT? I'd like to know more. Thanks!

(I want advice from real x-ray techs, not recruiters, by the way. They'll have their chance later.)

Answer 1

I have worked with several traveling techs. The deal they had seemed pretty sweet. The company paid for living expenses, place to live, mileage, a food allotment and healthcare. The tech had nothing out of pocket except for what extra food they bought or activities. My hospital had 2 different agencies and it has been about 5 years and I cannot remember the names of them. There is a magazine called ADVANCE for radiographers and I know they came from those advertised in the back. Make sure you do a lot of investigating. Make sure they cover all your expenses, pay you very good, and talk to some of the other techs and see what they have to say. I agree with the other guy that sometimes they come in on situations that aren't very good. Sometimes they have a severe tech shortage and are worked to death, they have a BAD director and can't keep techs. Some of the techs will be extremely rude because they know you are getting paid more than them to do the same job. The guys I worked with were hard workers, had great senses of humor, and loved traveling. They were all a little strange in their own manner but hey, we all are. I would imagine that if I were young, fresh out of school, no husband or kids, I would do this. By the way, you will want to be very flexible with the type of machines you work with because there are different ones everywhere. Good luck!! Also, one more hint, make sure you have a set in stone schedule with the director or they will work you to death. Most jobs last anywhere from a month to three months. One of the guys had worked in Alaska and loved it, he was going back there when he left our hospital. He said CT techs were making $50 per hour. That was 5 years ago. It is no telling what someone would make now. Good luck and be careful!!!!!!

Answer 2

I haven't done it myself, but from what I've heard, you usually get really crappy jobs. If a hospital is willing to shell out that kind of money to pay an agency, it's probably not a very good place to work, or they would be able to hire people. I thought about doing that too, but luckily I found a great job right out of school. Be careful.