Cath lab tech travel jobs are one of the most popular allied health careers on Nomad Health. The demand for these professionals has soared due to an aging population, a high prevalence of heart disease, and the need to replace cath lab techs who have retired or left the workforce entirely. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for cath lab techs is expected to grow by 10% from 2022 to 2023, making these jobs a high priority for healthcare facilities to fill and ultimately creating more opportunities for travel cath lab techs to fill those gaps.
Travel cath lab techs, or cardiac catheterization laboratory technicians, travel to different healthcare facilities to assist with cardiac catheterization procedures. Travel cath lab techs combine their unique technical imaging expertise with their knowledge of cardiac cath procedures to assist doctors in diagnosing and treating heart conditions.
Travel cath lab tech job duties range from technical expertise to patient care. Each travel cath lab job on Nomad Health comes with unique duties and responsibilities based on the facility's needs. However, travel cath lab tech jobs generally have the following duties and responsibilities:
The primary responsibility of cath lab tech travel jobs is to assist medical teams with cardiovascular cath lab procedures such as angioplasty, stent placements, and electrophysiology studies. They may also assist with other procedures within the cardiac cath lab, such as:
Travel cath lab tech jobs require workers to be familiar with a wide range of medical equipment and machinery. Cath lab tech travelers need to be able to quickly ramp up and onboard themselves to the technology being used at each facility. Duties and responsibilities include ensuring the machines are calibrated and working properly, and setting up and shutting down equipment. Travel cath lab tech job workers may also be responsible for:
Travel cath lab tech jobs require workers to ensure that all machinery, tools, and equipment are sterile. Travel cath lab techs must know the proper techniques for sterilizing instruments to ensure patient safety. These duties may also include:
Travel cath lab tech jobs require the ability to operate imaging equipment during catheterization procedures. This responsibility is important because most catheterization procedures are guided by real-time imaging. Other radiologic duties that may be required for cath lab tech travel jobs include:
Travel cath lab tech jobs require workers to provide patient care by preparing patients for procedures, monitoring their vital signs during procedures, helping with post-procedure care, and more. Some other patient care duties may include:
Documentation is an important responsibility of cath lab tech travel jobs because it helps safeguard patients for future care decisions. Workers are responsible for documenting crucial information related to before, during, and after catheterization procedures including:
Remember, no travel job is the same. Every cath lab tech travel job comes with its own set of duties and responsibilities based on the current needs of the healthcare facility hiring for the role. While the above duties and responsibilities are common across many cath lab tech travel jobs, individual travel jobs listed on Nomad Health may come with duties outside of this scope. If you have questions about a cath lab tech travel job on Nomad, reach out to a Nomad Navigator.
To get a travel cath lab tech job, you must meet certain educational and professional requirements. It’s important to note that these job requirements may differ based on the state you’re in and what the facility requires for a particular cath lab tech travel job.
To qualify for a cath lab tech travel job, you must have at a minimum an associate degree in radiologic technology, cardiovascular technology, or a related field. Alternatively, graduating from an accredited program will also qualify you for cath lab tech travel jobs.
To get a cath lab tech travel job, you must be licensed within the state where you practice. For travelers, it’s important to know that you will need to obtain a license for the state where the travel job is located. When it comes to certifications, managers hiring for cath lab tech travel jobs often look for:
Facilities that hire travel cath lab techs expect them to adapt quickly to new environments, which is why most cath lab tech travel jobs require several years of hands-on experience working in cath lab settings. Some facilities may look for candidates with experience in specialized procedures, machinery, or patient populations.
There are a lot of reasons why considering a cath lab tech travel job is a smart move. From financial incentives to personal growth, a travel job might be just what you need to take the next step in your career.
With an aging population and the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, travel cath lab tech jobs remain in demand. Because the demand is high, you can sleep easy knowing that your job is secure and less susceptible to economic downturns.
Cath lab tech travel jobs may pay more than staff cath lab tech jobs. Many things can impact travel pay including your experience, education, location, credentials, and facility needs. When you browse cath lab tech travel jobs on Nomad, you’ll see a pay breakdown (including the travel stipend) of every job so you know exactly how you can earn before you apply.
Cath lab tech travel jobs provide an opportunity to work with new technologies and expand your experience. Common technology that travel cath lab techs get exposure to include:
Cath lab tech travel jobs allow you to collaborate cross-functionally with interdisciplinary healthcare staff ranging from physicians to nurses and even radiologists. When you work closely with these teams, you’ll get a broader perspective on patient care that you can add to your skill set.
Cath lab tech travel jobs put you on the fast track to learn about the latest education, techniques, treatments, and equipment used in the field. If you’re interested in getting ahead of the learning curve, a cath lab tech travel job might be right for you.
One of the biggest perks of cath lab tech travel jobs is deciding where you want to work. From the city to the facility, it’s up to you. Accepting cath lab tech travel jobs in new locations also exposes you to new facilities and patient populations you may not experience in a regular staff position.
Most clinicians say the best cath lab tech travel jobs offer a combination of high compensation and opportunities to expand your clinical experience. However, what makes a cath lab tech travel job the best usually depends on personal preferences, career goals, and financial goals.
To find the best cath lab tech travel job for you, research is the name of the game. First, you need to determine which travel agencies offer cath lab tech travel jobs. Unfortunately, not all agencies work with cath lab tech travelers.
Next, you should consider the reputation of the agency you’re considering working with. Use a search engine to find and read testimonials and reviews other travel cath lab techs have left about the agency. These reviews should give you a general idea of whether the agency meets your standards, and if other cath lab techs recommend them.
While pay may often be the most important benefit of cath lab tech travel jobs, remember that additional perks such as stipends for scrubs, licenses, and travel, along with health insurance and the option to invest in a 401(k) should be factored into the equation. Unlike Nomad, not all agencies offer these types of benefits, so it's important to compare the additional perks before you accept a cath lab tech travel job.
The demand for cath lab tech travel jobs varies across different states based on factors such as the overall demand for cardiac cath procedures, the number of healthcare facilities, and the demographics of the regional population. Additionally, states with larger populations and advanced healthcare infrastructure may need more cath lab tech travelers.
As one of the biggest states, California is home to multiple medical facilities in densely populated areas like Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and San Francisco that often hire for cath lab tech travel jobs.
Like California, certain metropolitan areas in Texas have cath lab tech travel jobs available including Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin.
Because Florida has an older-than-average population and an expansive medical system, the demand for cath lab tech travelers is high, especially in cities like Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami, and Orlando.
The dense population and high number of healthcare facilities in New York make it a hot spot for cath lab tech travel jobs, especially in New York City.
In Illinois, Chicago is a major hub for healthcare facilities and typically has a high demand for cath lab tech travelers.
If it’s your first time accepting a travel cath lab tech job, there are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind that will help you feel prepared and ready to go on your first day. Every cath lab tech travel job is different, but excelling in one or more of these areas will ensure you are set up for success.
One of the most important questions you can ask your hiring manager is about the orientation and onboarding process for your travel job. Knowing how much support you will have at the beginning, and how much you’ll need to learn independently can help set realistic expectations for your first week on the job.
Being adaptable is the key to starting any cath lab tech travel job. You will need to be prepared for ambiguity and performing tasks that you may not have much experience with.
Along the way, remember to network and build relationships with your new colleagues. Connect with other travel cath lab techs and learn about their experiences with the facility and traveling in general.
Remember to pack all the essentials you will need for the duration of your travel assignment. Depending on where your cath lab tech travel job is, it may be difficult to find a drug store or other convenience stores for items at the last minute, especially if you’re working in a rural area. We recommend packing a few extra pairs of scrubs, toiletries, and anything else to make you comfortable during your stay.
Travel cath lab tech job contract length varies depending on the needs of the facility. In general, most cath lab tech travel job contracts are 13 weeks long, although it’s not uncommon to find contracts that last 8-12 weeks.
Yes, you can choose the location for your cath lab tech travel job. Nomad Health features travel cath lab tech jobs across the United States. Some are in desirable locations like Hawaii, California, and Florida.
Yes! Cath lab tech travel jobs are an excellent way to fast-track professional growth. When you accept a travel cath lab tech job, you can get exposure to new environments, patient populations, and technology that may help level up your skillset and compensation.