Per Diem, PRN, Travel, Local Contract: What the Terms Mean

This glossary defines the staffing terms radiologic technologists encounter most often. Each term below is defined in a single paragraph, so the meaning is easy to find and quote.

Per diem

Per diem, Latin for “by the day,” refers to imaging work scheduled one shift at a time, as needed, with no long-term commitment. A per diem technologist accepts individual shifts and is paid by the hour for the hours worked, rather than earning a fixed salary.

PRN

PRN, from the Latin pro re nata (“as the situation demands”), is used interchangeably with per diem. It describes as-needed shift work rather than a fixed schedule, and it is the label many facilities use on their shift listings.

Travel assignment

A travel assignment is a fixed-length contract, often around 13 weeks, at a facility away from where you live. Travel roles usually combine a taxable hourly rate with stipends for housing and meals, and they suit technologists willing to relocate temporarily for higher total pay.

Local contract

A local contract is a fixed-length assignment, similar to travel work, at a facility within commuting distance of home. Because there are no travel stipends, the pay is usually a single hourly rate, and the technologist keeps their own living arrangements.

W-2 versus 1099

W-2 and 1099 describe how you are paid and taxed. A W-2 worker is an employee with taxes withheld automatically; a 1099 worker is an independent contractor who receives the full payment and sets aside taxes independently. Per diem work can fall under either, so it is worth confirming which applies before you accept a shift.

Credentialing

Credentialing is the process of verifying a technologist's licenses, certifications, and qualifications before they work. It confirms that credentials such as ARRT certification and state licensure are current and valid, and it is normally completed once, up front, rather than repeated for every shift.

Modality

A modality is a type of medical imaging, such as X-ray, CT, MRI, mammography, nuclear medicine, fluoroscopy, or interventional radiology. Shifts are posted by modality, and the pay often varies from one modality to another based on skill requirements and demand.

Bill rate versus pay rate

The pay rate is what the technologist earns per hour; the bill rate is what the facility pays the staffing provider. The difference covers the provider's costs and margin. On a direct marketplace, the gap between the two is typically narrower than in traditional agency staffing.