Getting started in health care technology
July 2, 2010 8:43 AM
Career Filter: I need a new career and have decided that health care would be a great field. Nursing doesn't seem like a good fit for me, however, mostly because of the gross factor (taking blood, sponge baths, etc. - just being honest). Being some kind of x-ray or mri tech interesets me. Where do I look (in Chicago) and how do I get started? More details:
For years I've had a steady job with decent pay and benefits. It is likely that I would be able to keep this job for a long time. There is no room for advancement and my salary increases would be small. This job is not very stimulating and it is bumming me out (I'm still grateful to be working though). I could work at this job while going to school. This job is not related to health care and the same is true of the Batchelor's degree I have. I think I would like health care because I'm very personable and would look forward to working with different people every day. Please help with advice on how to begin a career as a health care tech.
For years I've had a steady job with decent pay and benefits. It is likely that I would be able to keep this job for a long time. There is no room for advancement and my salary increases would be small. This job is not very stimulating and it is bumming me out (I'm still grateful to be working though). I could work at this job while going to school. This job is not related to health care and the same is true of the Batchelor's degree I have. I think I would like health care because I'm very personable and would look forward to working with different people every day. Please help with advice on how to begin a career as a health care tech.
It sounds like you are a prime candidate for selection of medical specialty by the Goo Tolerance Index.
posted by adipocere at 8:51 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by adipocere at 8:51 AM on July 2, 2010
Check out your local colleges' Health Sciences departments and see what they have to offer. Look at what the prerequisites are, and what the course outlines are. See what jumps out at you and go from there.
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 9:06 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 9:06 AM on July 2, 2010
Look into junior colleges. Malcolm X which is near the Med Center Blue Line stop has many programs. I know when my sister in law was looking into an Xray tech program at Wright Junior College a few years ago, they had placement for all graduates of their programs (it was a three semester certification program).
Healthcare careers are not usually M - F, and you may need to be available 3rd shift, but there is always a need.
posted by readery at 9:23 AM on July 2, 2010
Healthcare careers are not usually M - F, and you may need to be available 3rd shift, but there is always a need.
posted by readery at 9:23 AM on July 2, 2010
Look at the junior/community colleges first. Those private/for profit schools charge a fortune and promise ridiculous wonders.
posted by Neekee at 9:46 AM on July 2, 2010
posted by Neekee at 9:46 AM on July 2, 2010
A few facts about careers in allied health:
If you want to train for anything like radiology, sonogram tech, physical therapy, etc., you will NOT be able to work full-time at a traditional 9-5 job and do the program. Your classes and practicals will be held from 9-5. The same goes for professional level jobs like dietitian or physical therapist.
These training programs are highly selective. They only have so many spots to go around because of the required clinical rotations you will need to do in a limited number of physical places. Therefore, they frequently admit students who already have bachelor's degrees, who have aced their math and science tests or classes and who are top-notch students. If you have no scientific or mathematical aptitude, you will probably not even make it past the admissions tests for these programs. Also, many programs require some type of volunteer experience in these fields because they only want students who are committed to the discipline, and who have demonstrated that committment ahead of time. Be prepared for an admissions interview, as well.
The only way to do these programs are through your local state-sponsored community or technical college. Do not waste your money on private career colleges. You will pay way more for what's available, potentially, for free through training dollars at your local Workforce Investment Board. (Usually those vouchers are only available if you're laid off or need career re-training for other reasons, not because you just want to go back to school. But check into it anyway.)
I know this may sound harsh, but it's the reality of it. I have worked closely for several years with many different types of workers in the healthcare field and have also applied for admission into a radiology tech program at my local technical college. Good luck with whatever you'd like to do.
posted by FergieBelle at 9:58 AM on July 2, 2010
If you want to train for anything like radiology, sonogram tech, physical therapy, etc., you will NOT be able to work full-time at a traditional 9-5 job and do the program. Your classes and practicals will be held from 9-5. The same goes for professional level jobs like dietitian or physical therapist.
These training programs are highly selective. They only have so many spots to go around because of the required clinical rotations you will need to do in a limited number of physical places. Therefore, they frequently admit students who already have bachelor's degrees, who have aced their math and science tests or classes and who are top-notch students. If you have no scientific or mathematical aptitude, you will probably not even make it past the admissions tests for these programs. Also, many programs require some type of volunteer experience in these fields because they only want students who are committed to the discipline, and who have demonstrated that committment ahead of time. Be prepared for an admissions interview, as well.
The only way to do these programs are through your local state-sponsored community or technical college. Do not waste your money on private career colleges. You will pay way more for what's available, potentially, for free through training dollars at your local Workforce Investment Board. (Usually those vouchers are only available if you're laid off or need career re-training for other reasons, not because you just want to go back to school. But check into it anyway.)
I know this may sound harsh, but it's the reality of it. I have worked closely for several years with many different types of workers in the healthcare field and have also applied for admission into a radiology tech program at my local technical college. Good luck with whatever you'd like to do.
posted by FergieBelle at 9:58 AM on July 2, 2010
If you're easily grossed out by the body and its various emissions, I'm not sure that *any* area of health care (other than administrative) is really a good fit.
posted by tetralix at 12:48 PM on July 2, 2010
posted by tetralix at 12:48 PM on July 2, 2010
I would suggest finding people working in the different roles that you are considering, and chatting with them about their experiences/typical workday/etc. For example, I am currently in an Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant college program - feel free to Memail me if you would like more info! Also, people "in the trenches" may be able to help you figure out what the best fit would be for you - what particularly interests you about nuc med? Even at the tech/assistant, rather than professional, level, you want to be in something that you are (at least) interested in - it's a lot of work and time to commit. My program began with ~60 people (out of 500+ applicants, I think) last September, and by the time April rolled around, we were down to ~30. Many people dropped out because they realized that the field just wasn't for them - unfortunately, they had already put a lot of time and tuition into the program.
Seconding what FergieBelle said - at the community colleges (where you want to do this type of program - avoid private career colleges!), most likely most of these programs will be run on a full-time and daytime basis. Expect a lot of in-class hours - many more than during your undergrad - particularly if you studied arts rather than sciences (for example, a full-time student in my program is in lecture/lab and/or on placement for about 21-23 hours/week).
posted by purlgurly at 2:24 PM on July 2, 2010
Seconding what FergieBelle said - at the community colleges (where you want to do this type of program - avoid private career colleges!), most likely most of these programs will be run on a full-time and daytime basis. Expect a lot of in-class hours - many more than during your undergrad - particularly if you studied arts rather than sciences (for example, a full-time student in my program is in lecture/lab and/or on placement for about 21-23 hours/week).
posted by purlgurly at 2:24 PM on July 2, 2010
FergieBelle absolutely has it.
You can also do searches for health care technology programs and see if there are any in your area. (Chicago should be great.) Not all states have nuclear medicine programs like you are looking for. They are selective, and they are full time, but they'll get you through in about 2 years.
That said, health care is about the only field that is guaranteed to keep thriving, as the baby boomers are now reaching retirement age. Great choice!
posted by Knowyournuts at 4:05 PM on July 2, 2010
You can also do searches for health care technology programs and see if there are any in your area. (Chicago should be great.) Not all states have nuclear medicine programs like you are looking for. They are selective, and they are full time, but they'll get you through in about 2 years.
That said, health care is about the only field that is guaranteed to keep thriving, as the baby boomers are now reaching retirement age. Great choice!
posted by Knowyournuts at 4:05 PM on July 2, 2010
@tetralix has a good point.
My girlfriend just made a jump from commercial real estate financials to health care administration in a large practice (long story). She is *strictly* administrative, with no patient care responsibilities, but she is exposed to all the grotty details of patient care on a daily basis. If you are going to work in the field, you *will* have to deal with patients, fluids, odors, procedures, etc., etc. every day just walking through the office. If this is going to bother you, do something else.
P.S. - My GF is an ex-EMT, and loves the new job. Good for us...one of us is in a recession proof biz.
posted by kjs3 at 8:25 PM on July 2, 2010
My girlfriend just made a jump from commercial real estate financials to health care administration in a large practice (long story). She is *strictly* administrative, with no patient care responsibilities, but she is exposed to all the grotty details of patient care on a daily basis. If you are going to work in the field, you *will* have to deal with patients, fluids, odors, procedures, etc., etc. every day just walking through the office. If this is going to bother you, do something else.
P.S. - My GF is an ex-EMT, and loves the new job. Good for us...one of us is in a recession proof biz.
posted by kjs3 at 8:25 PM on July 2, 2010
X-ray and MRI techs are definitely not free from the "gross factor" as you describe it, at least in a hospital. Their patients are often from the ER (accident victims, gunshot wounds, brutal deaths, etc.) or ICU and there can be a lot of blood, body fluids, etc. to deal with and work around. You might not encounter as much of that in a doctor's office, but those jobs can be harder to come by. More than likely, you'll have to "pay your dues" by working a hospital job, possibly 2nd or 3rd shift, for a while before being considered for a doctor's office job.
At least that is how it is where I live but YMMV. You might be better suited for a non patient contact position, such as medical social services or something. But, you'd likely need a Master's degree for that.
Good luck! Not trying to dissuade you from a dream; just providing food for thought.
posted by ourroute at 8:53 PM on July 2, 2010
At least that is how it is where I live but YMMV. You might be better suited for a non patient contact position, such as medical social services or something. But, you'd likely need a Master's degree for that.
Good luck! Not trying to dissuade you from a dream; just providing food for thought.
posted by ourroute at 8:53 PM on July 2, 2010
Medical laboratory scientists or technicians have very little patient contact, other than the occasional blood draw/phlebotomy, and the icky body fluids are contained as samples, not explosively leaving patient bodies.
posted by Ladysin at 10:21 AM on July 3, 2010
posted by Ladysin at 10:21 AM on July 3, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 8:47 AM on July 2, 2010