Your travel medical imaging salary can be dependent on a slew of various factors that encompass both your experience. Along with the nature of a given job opportunity on your career path.
You cannot control external factors affecting the median annual salary for travel medical imaging jobs. But you can, however, control how you position yourself as a candidate.
An abundance of allied health job opportunities is prevalent in the travel medical imaging field of work. Improvements in diagnostic technology propelled the job outlook forward. Most entry-level travel medical imaging positions only require a two-year education. But a four-year education and bachelor’s degree can land you a higher paying job right off the bat.
However, not every medical imaging professional has the funds or the means to obtain a four-year education immediately.
Luckily, your education is not the only consideration made in the hiring process for travel medical imaging professionals. Experience is also a huge deciding factor for your travel medical imaging salary. The experience from your first medical imaging job is valuable. But you can gain additional credit by taking accredited courses and earning certifications.
Certifications show employers that you are proactive about gaining new knowledge. They also display your care to continue your education to be the best clinician you can be. Accredited organizations have many different options for certifications to earn. Barton Healthcare Staffing researched the best certifications for medical imaging professionals, who want to increase their medical imaging salary!
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)
Coding accuracy has become so important to healthcare institutions that the certification in coding has become an industry standard for medical imaging professionals. As for what medical certification pays the most, CCS certification can help you earn $15,000-$25,000 more than others.
Coding specialists code important data used by medical providers and healthcare facilities. It obtains reimbursement from government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, and from insurance companies.
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) course teaches medical imaging clinicians critical skills in classifying medical data from patient records. This applies to a variety of different healthcare settings, but mainly in hospitals. Earning this credential will help you to show employers your mastery of coding, integrity, and tested data quality skills.
Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA)
The Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) certification comes from the American Healthcare Radiology Management (AHRA). It demonstrates your skills, capabilities, and achievements that you have obtained in the profession of radiology administration.
The certification focuses on management for asset resources, human resources, finances, operations, and communication and information. The CRA is the only certification specialized just for radiology administrators. It demonstrates your value as a medical imaging professional to potential employers. This leads to a better fit for you and your employers.
Registered Technologist – Radiology (RTR)
In many cases, employers require certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) for radiology technologist roles. For those who don’t require it, this certification is sure to make you stand out as a job candidate.
The RTR medical credentials opens avenues for better positions. Federal regulators and state licensing agencies may require ARRT credentials as well. Verifying that a radiology clinician has met the rigorous standards.
Certification for this credential requires the satisfaction of professional standards in interventional procedures, medical imaging, or radiation therapy. The completion of the certification demonstrates a professional’s qualification to perform successfully in a specific role.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist
The successful execution of MRI procedures is vital to diagnosing many diseases and injuries. Even though radiologists review MRI results, as a MRI technologist you are responsible for capturing the best images possible. As of May 2023, the annual MRI tech salary was $83,740.
The American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT) offers certification. The goal of this certification is to recognize clinicians as qualified specialists in the utilization of MRI technology. This includes cardiovascular MRI, interventional MRI, MRI breast imaging, and functional MRI. All qualified technologists that received a formal education through established schools for MRI technologists are welcome to register.
Certified Radiological Technologist
The Certified Radiologic Technologist credential, organized by the American Chiropractic Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ACRRT) is in the form of a 100 question exam. Pre-exam and CE requirements vary by state. So interested medical imaging professionals should consult with their state’s chiropractic association.
The exam covers subjects including physics and equipment, anatomy and physiology, principles of radiographic exposure, radiation protection, and radiographic positioning and procedures. Earning the ACRRT credential will demonstrate your mastery of these skills and topics. The ACRRT recommends using their study guide, reviewing their Quizlet, and focusing on practical experience in chiropractic offices. The exam is available online in any location with internet on a desktop or laptop computer.
Partner with BHS
Put your new certifications to use on a travel medical imaging assignment! Look at our open medical imaging jobs to start earning more as a travel clinician!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally written by Stacy Cyr in February 2023. It was updated by Desirae Sin in August 2024 to reflect current information.
