You know why you love being an MRI technologist. Not only do you get to help people by playing an important role in obtaining the images needed to diagnose illness, but you have reasonable hours compared to medical professionals like doctors and nurses. Although there are exceptions, MRI scans are usually scheduled ahead of time and during regular clinic hours, so making plans around your work obligations isn’t too difficult.
Despite these scheduling perks, your time still isn’t really your own. If you want to take time off to attend a wedding or out-of-town event, you have to put in the request and hope that it will be granted. You also work with the same team in the same clinic or hospital day in and day out, which limits your opportunities to meet new people, especially those who can mentor you, teach you new skills, and otherwise advance your career.
While some MRI technologists are fine with these limitations, others want more control and flexibility in their careers. If this sounds like you, read on to learn why being a travel MRI tech can be a great career move for you.
What is a Travel MRI Tech?
Travel MRI technologists are usually independent contractors who work at different healthcare facilities using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines. These facilities usually contract with locum medical personnel to cover staff vacations, sabbaticals, parental leave, and even unplanned absences like illness.
When you decide to become a travel MRI tech, your duties are largely the same as those you carried out while employed, namely:
- Checking the devices regularly to confirm that they are working properly.
- Explaining the procedure to patients so that they know what to expect
- Running the MRI machines to take scans
- Sending the images to be reviewed by a radiologist
The biggest difference is that as an independent contractor, you can decide where you want to work and for how long. As a travel MRI tech, you make your own schedule, creating a work-life balance that few occupations can offer.
Benefits of Working as a Travel MRI Tech
There are several benefits to working as an independent contractor. Let’s take a closer look at some of the many reasons why so many MRI techs make this transition.
You Can Combine Your Love of Travel With Your Career
The ability to travel and work simultaneously is one of the main reasons why MRI technologists choose to become locum medical personnel. If you enjoy traveling but are worried that your ‘wandering years’ were behind you as soon as you received your credentials, being a travel MRI tech will let you explore new and exciting parts of Canada while earning a steady income. Each temporary contract represents an opportunity to check out communities you might not otherwise have visited, including those on your bucket list!
More Job Opportunities
The demand for MRI technologists is expected to remain strong in the coming years. However, not every town or city offers the same opportunities. Being a travel MRI tech will make it easier to find work when there’s little demand where you live. By working with a medical imaging temp agency, you can find short and long-term contracts at facilities and hospitals across Canada, especially in areas that may be more remote or underserved.
New Experiences
Once you’ve been in a particular community for awhile, it becomes comfortably familiar, even if it’s in a city the size of Toronto or Vancouver. As a travel MRI tech, you will be working in different locations at a frequency you choose. You might choose to spend six weeks in the Yukon, enjoying its many celebrated winter festivals, followed by a two weeks in British Columbia, where you have endless opportunities to hike, bike, and explore the beautiful province. There’s always something new and exciting to check out!
Additional Things You Should Know About Being a Travel MRI Tech
The best way to succeed as a travel MRI tech is to be prepared for responsibilities you didn’t have as an employee. This includes but may not be limited to:
- Paying your own income taxes. You won’t have your tax deducted from your pay: this is one of the biggest differences between being an independent contractor and working for someone else. You’ll need to determine how much money you need to set aside each other to cover your tax obligations.
- Claiming appropriate business tax deductions. By keeping clear business records, you can easily identify income sources, manage deductible expenses, and prepare your taxes. You may have difficulties claiming valid business expenses as tax deductions if you don’t keep track of what purchases were personal and what were business-related.
Several small business accounting software packages are available, and most of them are very user-friendly. If you choose a solution that allows you to send your financial information to a small business accountant, they can use it to file your tax returns for you, generate reports, and keep track of your cash flow.
Want to Learn More About Being a Travel MRI Tech? We Can Help!
The first step in becoming a travel MRI tech is to find a healthcare staffing agency with a wide network of hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities with temporary staffing needs. At ProMed HR Solutions, we are always eager to hear from medical imaging professionals who want to incorporate travel and new experiences into their career plans!
We know first-hand that there are many hospitals and healthcare facilities across Canada that need locum medical personnel to maintain continuity in patient care. Some of them are located in remote communities where MRI services are strongly needed, enabling professionals like yourself to make a big difference in their healthcare options.If you’re interested in exploring a career as a travel MRI tech, ProMed HR Solutions can match you with opportunities that let you experience a unique combination of regular travel and a job that you love. To learn more about what we can do for you, visit www.promedhr.ca or call (833) 776-6336.
