Choosing a travel contract as a CT/X-Ray Tech can be a smart career move. As a traveler, you have the support of our recruiters as well as your supervisor at your location. You may also be placed where there are other travelers so you can share experiences. From meeting new people and experiencing new cultures to working with new equipment and exploring career opportunities, we think this is a beneficial career path for the right candidates.
Here’s why we think travel contracts for CT/X-Ray Techs are the right career move.
- Flexibility. This is the top reason our CT/X-Ray Techs tell us they loved making the move to being a traveler. Not only do you have the flexibility of working from different areas, but you can also work in different types of facilities. These include hospitals, clinics, and outpatient centers. As a traveler, you can also be flexible in your schedule, taking time off between contracts to explore places or visit loved ones. You may also be able to extend a travel contract if your expertise is needed.
- Experience. Staying in one place is great in terms of working in a familiar facility but traveling provides an opportunity to broaden your skills. Whether you desire to work at a different type of facility utilizing different equipment or in a new place with an underserved population, the experience will make you more desirable for future jobs. If there is a related specialty you’d like to explore, this is an opportunity to do so. That way, if you come back to shift work, you have additional job opportunities, or if you stay a traveler, there are more options for where we can place you for your next contract.
- More Money. When you accept a travel contract as a CT/X-Ray Technician, it is not only the ultimate career move for experience, but you can also earn more money. This is because you’re a contract worker, so you are likely paid more than shift workers. Keep in mind you will still need to budget during your assignment. We recommend the 50/30.20 rule for expenses – 50% for needs like housing, utilities, and food, 30% for wants like dining out, memberships, vacations, and entertainment, and 20% for savings and debt repayment. In this way, you’re able to pay bills, spend, and save without feeling like you’re not making enough money to enjoy your life. You may even be able to save more and fund dreams like buying a home or taking a dream vacation.
- Networking. As a traveler, you have opportunities to grow your professional and personal networks across the country. This leads to understanding trends in culture and career, job opportunities, and a reason to continue traveling because you’re connected to lots of people! When you’ve found a place, you might want to settle down in, if that’s what you’d like to do, you can reach out to your network to ask about the best neighborhoods, hospitals, entertainment, shopping, hiking, museums, and more. If you keep your resume and LinkedIn profiles updated with certifications and experience; this can also open doors you never knew existed.
- Resilience. On the surface, it sounds like life on a travel contract is all rainbows and unicorns. While there are many benefits, the reality is that moving a few times a year can be challenging. This lifestyle is for those who have or want to build their careers as well as their resilience. You’re always the new person. You will have a manager at your job as well as your recruiter as sounding boards, but you may not be able to effect change the way you can as a shift worker. If it sounds like the benefits outweigh the challenges, then this is a path worth exploring for you!
Before signing a contract, we recommend researching the facility and asking about patient demographics and local culture, as well as any challenges you may be facing. Working with your recruiter at AB Staffing, we will coordinate your housing, transportation, and first-day instructions.
