Can a former English major become a healthcare tech?

February 22, 2009 7:32 PM

How can a former English major make a transition into the healthcare field?

Remember me? I'm the "English major cliche" who posted a few months ago about career options, life after a BA, and balancing creative work with a stable day job. Following some really brilliant advice found here on AskMe, I'm dedicating the next few months to some wide-open career exploration.

My current curiosity involves technician jobs in the healthcare industry. Things like ultrasound tech, radiologic technologist, and the like. The obvious appeal is that these jobs tend to be stable, recession-proof, decently paid, and that they usually afford enough free time to pursue other interests (or so I hear).


So, I'm looking for all the information I can get about this type of work: pros, cons, education/certification requirements, pay, affordable ways to find training, is one specialty better/more marketable then the others, etc. I'm basically wondering if this is something I should consider. I'm especially looking to hear from anyone working in the healthcare field who may have come from a non-medical background--or anyone who chose the field for reasons of stability rather than passion.

Again, this is mainly a logistical question (what are these jobs like?). But it's also a philosophical one (is it feasible to work in such a field even though it may not be my passion?). All thoughts are welcome.

Forgive me if this all sounds terribly naive.

Finally, I live in Minnesota, so extra points for state-specific certification advice.

posted by sureshot to Work & Money (7 answers total)

Response by poster: Oh, and one more thing:

Would there be any way of getting work experience in one of these areas before committing to a training program (so as to gauge whether or not I like the work)? Thanks!
posted by sureshot at 7:36 PM on February 22, 2009

It may not be for you, but being a perfusionist is interesting and pays really well. The hours can be wacky, though.
posted by neuron at 7:36 PM on February 22, 2009

A good way to jump into something like this is to take an EMT-B course (offered at just about every community college). Getting that cert will give you access to many entry-level healthcare jobs, and the course is usually short enough that it's not the most major of time commitments.

Should you want to go a bit farther and consider PA or nursing school, you'll likely need to go through a post-bacc program. I'm currently about halfway through one of these myself, the AskMe community having given me invaluable advice at the outset. Message me and I can talk your ears off (type your eyes out?) about my program.
posted by The White Hat at 7:54 PM on February 22, 2009

Become a histotech. They are always in short supply and a good histotech is worth their weight in gold to a lab. Plus it's not a bad gig, region-independent, and recession-proof.

You probably would be required to take a year of certification courses/training but you already have a BA.
posted by i_am_a_Jedi at 8:50 PM on February 22, 2009

I'm going to graduate soon as a radiologic technologist. The jobs in this field are not there any more. There was a shortage of rad techs a few years ago, so the schools upped their students to the point where there is now a glut of new graduates with no jobs to look forward to. Its a nationwide problem at this point, unfortunately. As if that wasn't bad enough, with the current economy some hospitals (the one I'm doing my clinicals at now for example) are cutting back hours of the full time techs.
There are still health tech options that are in need to people, but x-ray isn't one of them.
posted by Requiax at 9:01 PM on February 22, 2009 [1 favorite]

There is a huge need for pharmacy technicians, both in retail and in hospitals. It pays around $10-15/hr and you could start working right away. Some states require that you become certified (a fairly short training program, google pharmacy technician certification for more info). Most don't. The nice thing about it is you can "learn while you earn". And if you are going to do something else in healthcare later on, it is wonderful to know a lot of drug names and uses already. I know several people who worked as pharmacy techs then went on to nursing, medical, or pharmacy school. Plus, it is very flexible - you can select what hours you want to work, since techs are always needed. So if you have an outside passion to pursue, you will be able to do so. I was an english major too - I ended up going to pharmacy school.
posted by selfmedicating at 8:21 AM on February 23, 2009 [1 favorite]

But it's also a philosophical one (is it feasible to work in such a field even though it may not be my passion?). English Major-turned-Health Administrator here. I'd say, yes, in as much as it is possible to do anything you aren't passionate about for 40+ hours a week. But healthcare is an interesting field full of great diversity of experience-particularly if you are in direct patient care. I've been in HC for 13 years now, after leaving a PhD program in English, and I find it incredibly intellectually stimulating. The intimacy of some of the situations, the range of personality types you encounter, the fires to put out, the complex systems to navigate--all of this appeals to my liberal arts mind. As a writer, I imagine you'll find it keeps your interest, and, once you have the credentials, you will be appreciated for your ability to communicate and think critically--two of the most important skills to have in healthcare. Be sure to consider things like human interaction when choosing your vocation--some tech jobs don't interact with many people at all but just hang out in the lab. Do you want to deal with conscious patients or be on the back end of things? This next bit may seem odd, but I'm trying to put myself in your shoes--how would I find a trade in healthcare that truly fascinated me (in the literal Latin root fascio kind of way)? Apart from hours and pay and plentiful job opportunities, maybe you could find the job that appeals based on a disease category that you have experience with or knowledge of? The specialty of a favorite doc on a medical drama (Greg House *sigh* is double-boarded in Infectious Disease and Nephrology, BTW)? Check out the Job Opportunities listings on the websites of your local hospitals and medical groups, then start investigating careers from that list. I'd be happy to talk more offline--feel free to email me. Good luck!
posted by njbradburn at 9:15 AM on February 23, 2009