Tattoo's and Radiology Tech's

Chris_mustang85 · Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Posts: 1

Hi all

I am new to the site and I am considering a career in the medical field , I would love to go to school to be a Radiology tech. I like the Ideal of working with people while helping them at the same time. The problem is I am a very creative and expressive person with tasteful tattoo's on my neck and arms , Would this be a automatic No I will never work in the field or just a minor discrimination that I would be able to have over looked with my GPA and social skills. I have never had a negative comment on my tattoo's or have been turned down a job (All face to face customer service jobs). Any info and input on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

hjhogle · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:14 am Post subject:

I've been in this field for 30 years.

Face to face customer service is not exactly the same as patient care. Every hospital I've ever worked in required that tattoos be completely covered. That's not to say that you couldn't get a job in an office - but the school you attend is likely to have the same requirement.

Turtlenecks and long sleeves? When you begin applying for school, you'll want to specifically ask about visible tattoos.

hjh, RT

MNBrett · Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts: 12

I think that you have one extra, although small, hurdle to overcome.

Institutions are softening their policies in this regard because the arguments propping up the policies are weak.

The most valid argument that I have heard is that some patients may not like them. My question is, they may not like that I am male. They may not my haircut, or that I wear glasses, or that I am white.

Intrinsically the tattoo does not limit your ability to provide patient care. Neither do any of the other things that I mentioned.

I challenge anyone to post a valid reason that someone with a tattoo, or even an arm full of them should not be hired, for any job.

BTW I do not have any tattoo or think I am likely to ever get one.
_________________
B.J. RT(R)
Minneapolis Minnesota

hjhogle · Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 3:16 pm Post subject:

For real-world example - New policy out today.

Quote:

Visible body piercings (other than earrings) are prohibited. Tongue piercings can impact communications and are therefore prohibited. Certain exceptions may be made for genuine religious observances.

Tattoos and body art must be covered at all times.

MNBrett, it isn't that I disagree with you. But the trouble with this statement "I challenge anyone to post a valid reason that someone with a tattoo, or even an arm full of them should not be hired, for any job." is that you are not doing the hiring.

Appearance in any industry is important to employers. If they don't feel that you look the part, your chances of getting hired plummet. It's all well and good to talk about appearance not mattering, but let's give these potential RT's a look at what the job market is really like today.

hjh, RT