Locum tenens cardiac MRI jobs for structural heart coverage sit at the crossing point of two shortages: hospitals scaling TAVR, MitraClip, and LAAO programs faster than they can staff them, and the small pool of radiologists trained to read cardiac MRI for that patient population. This guide breaks down what makes a structural heart locum assignment worth taking in 2026, and which tracks to skip.
- Locum tenens cardiac MRI jobs for structural heart coverage favor SCMR Level 2-trained radiologists over general body imagers.
- Cardiac MRI reads for structural heart imaging is the strongest-volume track among the 5,000+ radiology jobs RadBoard aggregates from 20 sources.
- Cardiac CT hybrid coverage pairs well with MRI credentialing and shortens the gap between contracts.
- Short assignments at low-volume community hospitals without an active TAVR program are the pick to skip in 2026.
Why this matters
Structural heart programs don't run on general radiology coverage. A TAVR or MitraClip case needs a pre-procedure cardiac MRI or CT read done by someone who understands annular sizing, valve-in-valve planning, and access-route assessment - not just a chest read with a cardiac label attached.
Hospitals expanding these programs in 2026 are hiring locums to bridge gaps while they recruit permanent structural heart imagers, and RadBoard's job platform surfaces those postings alongside the broader base of radiology jobs pulled from 20 sources. The postings that specify structural heart volume, not just "cardiac experience preferred," are the ones worth your time.
Who this is for
This guide is for board-certified or board-eligible radiologists with cardiac MRI training - ideally SCMR Level 2 or equivalent - who want short-term assignments covering structural heart imaging rather than general diagnostic locum work. It's also for cardiothoracic-trained radiologists weighing whether to add structural heart MRI reads to their locum rotation in 2026.
What to look for in cardiac MRI jobs for structural heart coverage
SCMR Level 2 training or documented case volume
Hospitals credentialing you for structural heart MRI reads want proof, not a CV line. Training frameworks used across cardiac imaging set Level 2 competency at roughly 150 supervised studies - below that, some credentialing committees will push back or limit your privileges to non-structural cases.
Active structural heart program volume
A hospital doing four TAVRs a month can't sustain your skill currency the way a high-volume structural heart center can. Ask for procedure volume before signing - if the recruiter can't answer, that's information too.
Cross-coverage expectations with cardiac CT
Most structural heart programs don't hire an MRI-only locum. They want the same radiologist covering pre-procedure CT planning too, since TAVR sizing leans on CT more than MRI in many centers. A contract that only asks for MRI coverage may be underselling the actual workload, or signal a program too small to need both.
Credentialing and privileging timeline
Structural heart imaging privileges often require separate sign-off from cardiology and radiology leadership, on top of standard hospital credentialing. Build in buffer time before your assignment start date, and confirm who's tracking the paperwork.
Malpractice tail and contract length
Short assignments carry outsized tail-coverage risk relative to the pay period. Confirm in writing whether the staffing agency or hospital covers tail costs before you sign, and review how tail costs get evaluated when you're stacking multiple short contracts in the same year.
On-call structure with the heart team
Structural heart cases don't wait for business hours. Know whether the contract includes urgent same-day reads for the heart team or whether it's strictly scheduled outpatient volume - the two look identical on a job posting and pay very differently in effort.
Top picks for 2026
1. Cardiac MRI reads for structural heart imaging - the specialist track
This is the direct match: locum assignments built specifically around cardiac MRI for TAVR planning, viability studies, and pre-procedure annular sizing. Programs hiring for this track typically want SCMR Level 2 training and prior structural heart case exposure.
The spec that matters: training frameworks for this subspecialty set the competency bar at roughly 150 supervised studies, and hospitals will ask for it. If you clear that bar, cardiac MRI radiologist jobs for structural heart imaging is the track to search first in 2026. Verdict: Buy.
2. Cardiac CT hybrid coverage for structural heart programs - the volume play
Many structural heart programs lean harder on CT than MRI for TAVR annular sizing and access-route mapping, which makes cardiac CT-trained radiologists just as valuable in locum rotations. If you're cross-trained in both modalities, this track roughly doubles your addressable job pool.
The number that matters here: hospitals increasingly bundle CT and MRI coverage into a single contract rather than hiring two separate locums, so dual credentialing is worth the paperwork. Check cardiac CT radiologist jobs for structural heart programs for postings that specify both. Verdict: Buy.
3. Locum tenens cardiothoracic radiology for chest and cardiac coverage - the broader net
If you're cardiothoracic-trained but haven't logged dedicated structural heart MRI volume yet, this track gets you into cardiac imaging locum work while you build the case count credentialing committees want to see. It's a wider net than the specialist track, covering chest CT, cardiac CT, and general cardiothoracic reads alongside occasional structural heart cases.
The tradeoff: pay and case complexity are more variable than the dedicated structural heart track, since not every posting under this label includes TAVR or MitraClip volume. Review locum tenens cardiothoracic radiology jobs for chest coverage and confirm structural heart case mix before accepting. Verdict: Consider.
4. Academic per diem structural heart coverage - the wildcard
Academic medical centers sometimes post per diem or short-block structural heart imaging coverage to backfill fellows or cover sabbaticals. Volume tends to be high and case complexity is real, but scheduling flexibility is usually lower than staffing-agency locum work, and pay structures vary by department rather than by a standardized locum rate.
This track rewards radiologists who want teaching-hospital case complexity without a permanent academic commitment, but it's a mismatch if flexible scheduling is your main reason for going locum. Verdict: Consider.
What to avoid
- General body MRI locum postings that mention "cardiac experience preferred." That phrase usually means occasional cardiac cases mixed into a general body imaging load, not dedicated structural heart volume.
- Overnight teleradiology contracts labeled "cardiac coverage." Most of these are routine chest CT and general thoracic reads at night, not structural heart MRI or CT planning studies.
- Short 1- to 2-week assignments at low-volume community hospitals with no active TAVR or MitraClip program. Without ongoing structural heart procedure volume, the assignment won't maintain the case exposure your credentialing depends on, and it won't pay a premium for skills the hospital isn't actually using.
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Verdict comparison
| Track | Training bar | Contract length | Best for | 2026 Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiac MRI - structural heart imaging | ~150 supervised studies (Level 2) | Short-block, 1-4 weeks | Dedicated structural heart specialists | Buy |
| Cardiac CT hybrid coverage | Program-specific CT credentialing | Short-block, often bundled with MRI | Dual CT/MRI-trained radiologists | Buy |
| Cardiothoracic locum, broad chest/cardiac | Cardiothoracic fellowship or equivalent | Variable, 1-8 weeks | Building structural heart case volume | Consider |
| Academic per diem structural heart | Program-specific, often high bar | Ongoing per diem, less flexible | High case complexity, lower schedule control | Consider |
FAQ
What is a locum tenens cardiac MRI job for structural heart coverage?
It's a short-term contract where a radiologist reads cardiac MRI studies for structural heart procedures like TAVR, MitraClip, and LAAO, usually filling a gap while a hospital recruits a permanent structural heart imager. Contracts typically run 1 to 8 weeks in 2026.
How much training do you need for structural heart MRI locum work?
Most hospitals credential structural heart MRI readers against a Level 2 competency bar, roughly 150 supervised studies under COCATS-style frameworks. Radiologists below that threshold can still find broader cardiothoracic locum work while building case volume.
Are cardiac MRI locum tenens jobs in demand in 2026?
Yes, structural heart programs are expanding faster than permanent hiring can keep pace, which pushes hospitals toward locum coverage for cardiac MRI and CT reads. Postings specifying structural heart case volume, not just general cardiac experience, are the strongest signal of real demand.
Is cardiac CT or cardiac MRI training better for structural heart locum coverage?
Neither replaces the other - many structural heart programs bundle CT and MRI coverage into one contract because CT handles most TAVR annular sizing while MRI covers viability and additional planning. Radiologists credentialed in both modalities qualify for a wider set of postings.
How long do structural heart coverage locum contracts typically run?
Dedicated structural heart MRI and CT contracts usually run in short blocks of 1 to 4 weeks, while broader cardiothoracic locum postings can extend to 8 weeks or more. Academic per diem structural heart coverage tends to be ongoing rather than block-based.
Do locum tenens cardiac MRI jobs include malpractice tail coverage?
It varies by staffing agency and hospital, and it should be confirmed in writing before signing since tail costs can offset the pay premium on a short assignment. Radiologists stacking multiple short contracts in the same year face the highest tail-cost exposure.
Can general radiologists take structural heart imaging locum jobs?
General radiologists without dedicated cardiac MRI or CT training typically don't clear the credentialing bar for structural heart-specific postings in 2026. Broader cardiothoracic locum tracks are a more realistic entry point while building the required case volume.
Where can radiologists find locum tenens cardiac MRI jobs for structural heart coverage?
RadBoard aggregates 5,000+ radiology postings from 20 sources, including structural heart-specific cardiac MRI and CT locum roles. Filtering by subspecialty surfaces postings that specify structural heart case volume rather than general cardiac experience.
One last thing
Structural heart programs rarely hire a locum for MRI reads alone - most also want cardiac CT coverage on the same contract, since CT does more of the annular sizing work for TAVR. Cross-training in both modalities roughly doubles the postings you qualify for in 2026, which matters more for your schedule than chasing a slightly higher per-study rate on a single-modality contract.
