Is it possible to combine the love of your job, the desire to travel, and the ability to earn money into a new career endeavor?
Yes! You can travel as an allied health professional on short-term assignments in locations across the U.S., with the potential to make more money and further develop your skills.
If you’re intrigued by the possibilities but have questions, read on to learn about the advantages that come with working as an ultrasound travel tech, the requirements and qualifications that are necessary, and how Pronto and Trusted Nurse Staffing can help you take the first step on your travel tech journey.
Table of Contents
- What Is an Ultrasound Travel Tech?
- The Benefits of Working as an Ultrasound Travel Tech
- How To Become an Ultrasound Travel Tech: A Look at Skills, Qualifications, Demand, and Earning Potential
- Start Your Ultrasound Travel Tech Journey With Pronto
What Is an Ultrasound Travel Tech?
Ultrasound travel technicians are responsible for performing the same tasks as those in a staff position, but they will do them in different locations and facilities. Facilities and employers across the U.S. often have temporary openings for ultrasound technicians — for temporary leaves, employee vacations, spikes in ultrasound demand, or mobile ultrasound services. Ultrasound travel techs are essential to fill those openings.
A travel ultrasound tech uses sonographic skills and equipment to help in the testing of patients for injuries, health conditions, diseases, and more. They may work in a variety of facilities, including:
- Hospitals
- Doctors’ offices
- Diagnostic labs
- Outpatient care facilities
In addition to performing ultrasound procedures, a travel ultrasound tech may also:
- Maintain the imaging equipment
- Complete patient assessments
- Explain procedures and answer questions
- Track patient records
- Capture quality images
- Report findings to other healthcare professionals
Travel ultrasound tech assignments can vary, from as short as a few weeks to as long as a year. Most assignments are around 13 weeks, but if you enjoy your assignment, it’s also possible to extend it.
If you’d like to stay closer to home but still have a variety in your work environment, it’s possible to work in a contracted position in your own area for a period of time.
Check Pronto today to see where ultrasound travel tech jobs are currently available.
The Benefits of Working as an Ultrasound Travel Tech
As an ultrasound travel tech, you play a key role in helping doctors accurately diagnose patients and provide the healing care they need. Knowing that the service you provide is an important step in quality patient care can increase job satisfaction.
In addition to feeling fulfilled in your career, working as a travel ultrasound tech delivers the following benefits:
- Control over your schedule: As a travel ultrasound tech, you’ll have more control over your schedule, freeing you up to have more time off. You’ll have the flexibility to work when you want and can choose the assignment lengths that work for you. Do you need two weeks off for the big family vacation? With a travel allied health assignment, you can do that!
- Higher earning potential: In general, travel positions pay more than staff positions. For example, the average U.S. yearly salary for a staff ultrasound tech is $85,556, while the average U.S. traveling ultrasound tech salary is $98,273. Of course, travel salaries vary, depending on location and facility, but higher salaries for traveling professionals are a real possibility. Whether you need to pay off debt or want to save for the vacation of a lifetime, a travel ultrasound tech salary can make it happen.
- Wider patient base: Working in other states and various facilities gives you the opportunity to work with all kinds of people and patients dealing with a variety of conditions and illnesses.
- Working in a variety of environments: As a travel ultrasound tech, you’ll also get the opportunity to use your skills in different environments. Maybe you’ll work for 13 weeks in a large hospital in Baltimore and then work for the next 13 weeks in a smaller community hospital in Missouri.
- Honed clinical skills: Working in different environments in cities across the U.S. gives travel ultrasound techs the opportunity to sharpen their current skills while learning new procedures and gaining valuable experience.
- Learning new EMR systems: Hospitals and facilities may use different EMR (Electronic Medical Record) systems depending on their needs and preferences. As a travel tech, you’ll gain experience with various systems that can be useful wherever you go.
- Travel: And, of course, you’ll get to travel and see towns, cities, and sights you’ve never been to before. Want to spend your time off in the sun on the beach? Look for a travel job in Miami. Or maybe hiking in the Rockies is more your style. A job in Colorado might be the perfect fit.
Not sure where to start? Use the Pronto app to find jobs across the U.S. and create your profile with your preferences. When a job fitting your criteria becomes available, we’ll alert you and help you take the steps to secure the assignment you’ve been waiting for.
How To Become an Ultrasound Travel Tech: A Look at Skills, Qualifications, Demand, and Earning Potential
Skills
If you possess the following skills, working as a travel ultrasound tech may be a rewarding career choice:
- A love for and knowledge of anatomy and physiology
- Detail-oriented
- Hand-eye coordination
- Ability to see subtle changes in images
- Communication skills (with patients, families, and other health professionals)
- Physical stamina
- Technical skills
Qualifications
Qualifications to become a travel ultrasound tech may vary from state to state, but some of the most common qualifications may include:
- Obtaining an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in ultrasound technology, sonography, or bachelor’s degree in a related field
- Receiving certification from an accredited ultrasound program like the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), or American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
- Obtaining specialty certifications like:
- Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS)
- Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS)
- Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT)
- Registered Musculoskeletal Sonographer credential (RMSKS)
- Getting hands-on experience through an internship or a staff position
Demand
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall demand for ultrasound technicians is estimated to grow by 10% from 2022 to 2032 — faster than the average. It is estimated that around 9,600 openings for diagnostic sonographers are projected each year.
This increase in job openings may result from the need to replace technicians who go to other occupations or leave the labor force to retire.
Earning Potential
ZipRecruiter reports that ultrasound travel techs make an average of $85,370 per year in the U.S. That breaks down to $1,641 per week or $41 per hour. Of course, this is the average nationwide, so salary amounts will vary according to state and type of facility.
If you have advanced training or specialty certifications, you may have a higher earning potential than a tech just starting their career.
In general, most ultrasound travel techs work full-time, but overtime may be available for extra earning potential.
Start Your Ultrasound Travel Tech Journey With Pronto
If you’re ready to get started with your ultrasound travel tech career, Trusted Nurse Staffing can help. We are an award-winning travel nurse and allied healthcare staffing agency committed to supporting our travel allied healthcare professionals every step of the way.
Here’s how our process works:
- Use the Pronto job search and complete your profile. Upload any resumes, certifications, and licenses you currently have.
- You’ll get matched with a recruiter who will guide you through the process of searching for jobs and will recommend assignments based on your profile.
- Once you start an assignment, our team of experts will take over to cover:
- a. Compliance, making sure you have all the necessary licensing, certifications, etc. you need for your particular assignment
- b. Payroll, ready to answer any questions you may have
- c. Support from your recruiter from job placement to extension or a new assignment
Not only does Trusted Nurse Staffing provide quality support, perks abound for our allied health travel professionals. Take advantage of the following:
- $1,500 referral bonus for referring a friend or facility
- Welcome box
- 401(k) with a 4% match after 1,000 hours and one year of employment
- Overtime
- Loyalty and discount programs
- Health insurance
- Dental and vision insurance
- Wellness benefits
- Certification and licensure reimbursement
- Housing, meal, and travel stipends
- Rental car options
- And so much more
Our newest benefit is student loan assistance. As a full-time employee of Trusted Nurse Staffing with an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll be eligible to receive up to $5,250 in loan reimbursement after working with Trusted Nurse Staffing for 30 days.
Why wait? Get started with Trusted Nurse Staffing today and find the travel ultrasound tech assignment in your preferred location.