any former rad techs here?

[dreatx]

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i am curious to know how difficult the program is. why? the local juco where i will be working on my pre reqs has a rad tech program and the classes are Mon/Wed only. i was thinking i could take my pre reqs in Tu/Th sessions. if that works out, i'll either have something to do in pt care while i wait to get into PA school or maybe a leg up to move into radiology as a specialty.

 

[yawmin]

I'm about to graduate from a rad tech program in California. The program for us was two years, five days a week. First year was three days of class, two days of clinical work, second year was four days of clinical, one day of class. Based only on my own experience I don't think it's possible to do both the program and work on your prereqs, unless you have only a few prereqs that you can do at night.

On a slightly different note, I'm looking to maybe move on up to radiology assistant after I graduate. Anyone have any information on this besides the stuff at the ARRT website and various school pages?

 

[dreatx]

Since i posted that, i see that the clinical time is pretty heavy so i think you are right, leave the pre-reqs alone during that time. well, i will take what i can as i cannot get into any nearby rad tech program till summer '05.

as for the radiologist assistant programs, that looks interesting, as well. ifo you find any more info, please post it.

 

[NSSG]

i've been a rad tech for 3 years. i looked into the R.A. program. last time i looked there was only one school accredited, in loma linda(sp?) CA. some more were working on it. I decided against it ultimately, because I don't think i'd like the work. it's basically the crap work that the radiologists don't like doing (in my opinion). if you like this stuff (fluoro, myelos, ect) than that'd be great for you.
i'd also be worried about finding a job upon graduation. i'm not sure how much of a need for this there is. maybe in large city hospitals, but where i work, someone just graduated with a similar degree (but not RA), and they won't hire her for insurance reasons, although she'd really be useful in our department. she's having a very hard time finding a job.
there was an article in Advance for imaging professionals about it a while back. they may have it on their website, www.advanceforirt.com.

hopefully this is a little helpful.

 

[dreatx]

NSSG,
what are your career path plans. i am curious.

 

[NSSG]

I am currently finishing up my bachelors in Nuclear Medicine. I plan on going on from there, but not sure exactly where just yet. I'm leaning right now towards PA. I don't plan on staying in imaging, although I do like it, and if i like Nuc Med enough, I may just end up doing that for a while while deciding. I also do CT, so I may be able to swing a good PET/CT job, who knows? Basically right now I'm keeping my options open, my GPA up, and volunteering.

I can't figure out how to reply to the PM, but my email is [email protected].