The demand for temporary ultrasound/vascular technologists is up from last year, while staffing assignments for radiologic technologists has declined, according to a recent survey conducted by imaging technologist staffing firm Med Travelers.

Reviewing its temporary staffing assignments in 2007, Med Travelers found that in 2007, 24% of Med Travelers’ staffing assignments were for ultrasound/vascular technologists, up from 22 percent in 2006. On the other hand, 9% of the company’s staffing assignments in 2007 were for X-ray technologists, down from 21% in 2004.

Additionally, just over 40% of 229 imaging department managers surveyed indicated that they had used temporary diagnostic imaging technologists sometime in the last 12 months. It marks a significant drop from 80% using temporary technologists in 2006.

Sixty percent of 167 imaging technologists interviewed say that working as a health care traveler is more satisfying than working in a permanent position. Eighty-five percent of those surveyed cited higher pay as a benefit of working as a travel health care professional.