Careers in Health Care

[slabboard]

Hi,

I'm 44 and am thinking about a career shift to allied health care. I'm hoping to hear from members who currently work in the profession. I really haven't settled on a specific area yet, but early interests are Clinical Laboratory Technologist, Cytotechnologist, Cardiovascular Technologist and Respiratory Therapist. Also interested in pharmacy and optometry, but these would require far more education (graduate degree) than I can do right now.

A major stumbling block for me would be education — I only completed three years of a general undergraduate degree back in the '80s, so I would have to finish that degree as well as additional studies in the chosen field. I just requested transcripts from my University so I can see where I stand.

Not really considering nursing, but if you are working (or have worked) in other allied health professions, could you please share your thoughts, likes, and dislikes? Also, maybe some tips or advice as to how to get started, or which areas to consider.

Thanks!

[Jazzydave]

I don't work in the medical field, but worked close to them while in the military. Now, both of my sisters in law are nurses and several of my friends are on the medical side. I say go for it if you know you are dedicated enough to complete the schooling/training. You don't want to get half way into it and decide it's not for you.

Best of luck in whatever you decide! The medical field is considered one of the best right now...

[prsflame]

I've been in behavioral healthcare for 15 years now (post Master's) I love it, but it took 13 years to get to the top of the salary food chain. I think you have to consider the cost of schooling right now vs how much you will earn in an entry level position for the fields you have mentioned. Cardiovascular Tech jobs (as an example) are tough to come by at the hospital I work for. The entry level salary is 32,000.

[gpro34]

Just know that healthcare is roughly weighted 90% female.

[Jazzydave]

Originally Posted by prsflame

I've been in behavioral healthcare for 15 years now (post Master's) I love it, but it took 13 years to get to the top of the salary food chain. I think you have to consider the cost of schooling right now vs how much you will earn in an entry level position for the fields you have mentioned. Cardiovascular Tech jobs (as an example) are tough to come by at the hospital I work for. The entry level salary is 32,000.

Don't most nurses start above that? The one's I know make pretty good money...

[prsflame]

Originally Posted by Jazzydave

Don't most nurses start above that? The one's I know make pretty good money...

A cardiovascular Tech is not a "nurse" per se, from my understanding. I'm in behaviroal healthcare, and don't deal with much outside of psychiatry so someone with more info may be able to chime in. in NYC at the Hospital where I work starting salary is 32,000 for someone coming in with no prior experience or advanced degree. As always, YMMV.

[Jazzydave]

Originally Posted by prsflame

A cardiovascular Tech is not a "nurse" per se, from my understanding. I'm in behaviroal healthcare, and don't deal with much outside of psychiatry so someone with more info may be able to chime in. in NYC at the Hospital where I work starting salary is 32,000 for someone coming in with no prior experience or advanced degree. As always, YMMV.

I'm aware that they're not the same career and that the OP said he wasn't going into nursing...I was just pointing it out as a possibility that might make going to school worth it in terms of financial returns in the end.

[BarkingTree]

I was an RT for 8 yrs or so and my advice to you is it depends on what
your end game is going to be. For me I couldnt do the job after a while
I burnt out. Its repetetive and has a cieling unless you like to manage.
It can be an in to administration in a hospital but youll be going for
more advanced degrees..namely a masters if you go that route.
The degree will take 2.5 years to get and its a sacrifice with early morn
clinicals. You will work with a mixture of folks and alot of them will be women -yes.
Nurses do and dont respect RTs. Some are mature and utilize them but
they all run the game..especially if you get into an Icu.
ER work can be fun but it repeats.
You have 3 years of undergrad...you could go premed and get into
a phys assistant program but you have no medical background? so its challenging. You would have to pickup some work in a hospital to go that
route and get accepted most likely.
I viewed RT as a stepping stone job. Fun at times..not bad pay.
Weekends and holidays and shift work..2nd, 3rd..and 1st is very hard to
get because of competition and seniority.
Once again..women are different to work with ..theyre just that
way. Its probably not real different from politics and personalities anywhere.
CV tech?? I looked at that. I would really study the market on that one. Most hospitals will use nurses IMO.
Nursing picks up alot of responsiblities.
If you have a weak stomach for sputum..dont be an RT.
In the end it becomes a good reliable job if you can be happy at it.
Options for RTs are..Pulmonary lab, Icu, floor therapy,management,sleep studies, and Hyperbaric.
You have to be a certain type of person to work in the medical field..its not for everyone..in human service.

One more thing..you will walk and walk and walk on your feet all day in big big complexes..

[XKnight]

Whatever area of health care you decide on try to avoid this part.

Medicare Fraud Strike Force Charges 111 Individuals for more than $225 Million in False Billing and Expands Operations to Two Additional Cities

Doctors, Nurses, Health Care Company Owners and Executives Among the Defendants Charged; Law Enforcement Agents Execute 16 Search Warrants

WASHINGTON – The Medicare Fraud Strike Force today charged 111 defendants in nine cities, including doctors, nurses, health care company owners and executives, and others, for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving more than $225 million in false billing, announced Attorney General Eric Holder, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, FBI Executive Assistant Director Shawn Henry, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and HHS Inspector General Daniel Levinson. Also today, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and HHS announced the expansion of Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations to two additional cities – Dallas and Chicago. Today’s operation is the largest-ever federal health care fraud takedown.
The joint DOJ-HHS Medicare Fraud Strike Force is a multi-agency team of federal, state, and local investigators designed to combat Medicare fraud through the use of Medicare data analysis techniques and an increased focus on community policing. More than 700 law enforcement agents from the FBI, HHS-Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), multiple Medicaid Fraud Control Units, and other state and local law enforcement agencies participated in today’s operation. In addition to making arrests, agents also executed 16 search warrants across the country in connection with ongoing strike force investigations.

[djdrdave]

Physica therapy assistant doesn't require a graduate degree but regular physical therapists do. Have heard it's the highest rated job satisfaction out there. My wife is in nursing school but have thought about switching her into physical therapy.

[djdrdave]

Originally Posted by gpro34

Good info. I've found that working with a 90% female population can be very trying to say the least. The petty arguments and catty behavior wears on you. The health care profession seems to not mind that it is dominated that way. The fact is, men usually don't last due to this. I'm sure you've heard the cry, "but there are more male doctors."
Yes, while this is true, it doesn't tell the whole story. Many doctors come from outside of the U.S. where their respective countries are more male dominated. The ratio of American doctors is about equal male to female ratio, but women now outnumber men in med schools across the country.

This is something I worry about for my wife. She is a great girl from another country and I'm not sure she realizes how catty American women of her age group can be. She is starting to see it in her nursing classes.

[geddyentwistle]

a few thoughts

-lot of baby boomers need care so lots of need for providers
-if there is a need for lots of providers, money for them will yo-yo from good to bad, etc... depending on trends in labor and where you happen to be... the nursing "boom" has been going on for a few yrs now
-on of the biggest bang for your buck is a 2 yr degree as a radiology tech... there is need, and if you are smart and save a little, can be in great financial shape rather quickly
-health care is a job, but if you don't want to deal with the public, specifically the sick public, don't do it... you have a job and duty


good luck