Right reasons to pursue Radiology Technology?

WannabeRadTech · Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 18

Hi, my name is Joel.

So, here is a little background information about me. I was in Special Ed. for the majority of my life. I went from not being able to read at age 13 to being able to work with basic Chemistry concepts around age 20.

I work as a transporter for a Radiology department

Now, I am 21 and I am interested in the field of Radiology Technology for the following reasons:

-kind of physics heavy?

-Science heavy

-people oriented

-laid back(I have watched how laid back Radiology techs have it)

-Unlike Nursing, if a radiology tech gets a patient he doesn't like, he only is with them for 5 minutes.

-Stable(IF you can get a job).

Here are some reasons why I am hesitant to pursue it:

-Job market is saturated(thanks to crappy schools like PIMA).

So, in the future will an accredited Bachelors be required to work in Radiology Technology making the job market better????

WannabeRadTech · Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 18

I should add that I am considering Respiratory Therapy because there might be more demand.

hjhogle · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:52 pm Post subject:

Glad you've been thinking about it, Joel.

Yes, it's science/math heavy. But it's a primarily people-centric profession. If you don't like people in the abstract, if you can't find empathy for those you don't know, you won't like Diagnostic Imaging.

You betcha - it's saturated. This job-market saturation is a cyclical thing. It occurs every 8-10 years. This time around is much worse because the economy as a whole is in the toilet. There are very few jobs for new grads, those with experience are being laid off.

Currently, all I can tell you for sure (directly from the ARRT website - www.arrt.org - be careful about taking information from an anonymous forum) is that as of 2015, all those who want to be eligible for the national certification exam (the only thing that allows the use of RT after the name) will be required to have an associate degree, at least.

I would expect that it won't be too much longer before a 4-year degree is required, but that day isn't here yet.

Good luck to you, whatever you decide (although I learned a LONG time ago that the sound of suction makes me sick, there's no way I could train for RRT)

hjh. RT

WannabeRadTech · Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 18

I do enjoy working with people.

I have another question though. The saturation this time was attributed to too many schools opening.

What was the reason for the saturation last time?

hjhogle · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 10:24 am Post subject:

Cyclical saturation is the same every time. Has been since I earned my RT in 1979. Here's how it works.

Predictions are dire - with the curernt population aging rapidly, there'll be a shortage of qualified healthcare providers for the next "X" years! The media announces that the hottest jobs are in ... healthcare! Hear that, everyone? All aspects of healthcare, that's where the real money is. You'll never be out of a job, never get laid off, make lots of money because the best thing since sliced bread is ... healthcare.

Programs that already exist bump up their enrollment - after all, there are good students out there clambering to get on board the healthcare gravy train. New programs open - after all, there are students out there anxious to pay lots of money to get on board the healthcare gravy train.

Everybody starts pumping out new graduates. And gee, what do you know? It isn't but a year or two before all those unfilled jobs are taken by those new graduates. Suddenly, we're on the other side and there are RT's who can't find a job.

Everyone is acting as though this has never happened before and it's the "fault" of unscrupulous schools or (good heavens) the "GOVERNMENT".

How about all the thousands of students who flock to healthcare programs hammering to get in? The fact that programs increase enrollment or new programs open is simply in response to students demand for access.

This time around, however, we're all choking because the down side of this cycle occurred when the economy as a whole is in the toilet. No industry is untouched - I have to laugh when I read posts from screamers who talk about how medical imaging is "dead", that if you want a job you have to beome a 1) nurse 2) respiratory therapist 3) take your pick.

Are they not paying attention? Certainly, in pockets of the country, there are open positions for RN's, just as there are for RT's and RTT's. But in general, there are no fields which are immune from the current financial climate. Hospital closings (CLOSINGS!), layoffs for seasoned professionals - and new graduates are unhappy. They feel they were scammed.

No scam. It is what it is.

Good luck
hjh, RT

WannabeRadTech · Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 18

I work in a hospital and there are no openings for anything.

Although, I didn't know respiratory therapy was in as big of demand as Nursing? Could you tell me why? Is it stressful?

hjhogle · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:37 am Post subject:

Exactly my point. There are NO jobs.

Is RTT 'stressful'? Healthcare is stressful.

hjh, RT

WannabeRadTech · Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 18

So, there are no jobs.

In conclusion? Go for what your interested in and just hope this crappy economy gets better.

CAS90 · Joined: 26 Sep 2006 Posts: 11

Job market is saturated(thanks to crappy schools like PIMA).

So what your saying is I'm not a Technologist that can excel in my field
because I went to Pima. You get out of an education what you put in. I went to Pima worked hard in class and clinical passed my boards and I'm currently working in the field. Be careful how you word things Radiology can be a small world, the hiring manager may have went to Pima you never know.