I have one of the most important interviews of my life tomorrow....

do you know if you need to take any preliminary classes for this school and what's the criteria to get in? I've been thinking about a career change lately and this has peeked my interest.

 

Yeah, my wife is CT trained, too, although I think she did on-the-job training for it. It's a great field to be looking into...

If you have any specific questions you'd like to ask Mrs. Giddyup, shoot me an email through the board and I'll forward it on to her. She's been working in the field for about 15 years.

 

i know absolutely nothing about this field, but all those medical machines have always intrigued me. i will look more into it.

giddyup, would you mind if i emailed you questions periodically too if i decide to go this route?

 

Of course... I'll just send them along to Mrs. G and you can take up the exchange with her; my knowledge on this subject is limited to listening when I ask "How'd work go today, honey?"

She'll be glad to help out as she can.

 

EWS, good luck with the interview. Just believe and have faith.

 

No it is not required but it is HIGHLY recommended. The have 2 classes a year I believe the fall class is about 60( half will drop out or fail within the first 2 semesters). They also have a spring class that is half that size. My personal experience would be to have atleast completed half of your basics prior to starting the program. The program is NOT easy and takes up your time. you will normally go to classes 2 to 3 classes a week for about 6 hours. You will then have clinicals for 2 to 3 times a week for 8 hours a piece. You will receive your associates with completion of the program and basics completed. You will then take state boards. Pretty hard test(adaptive testing). If you want to specialize in other modalitys you can either sign up for classes at the campus and take another state board with completion of the class otherwise you have to complete so many of different types of procedures to become elligable for the State Exams.

I graduated in 97 (top 2 in my class). I no longer work in radiology but I do work with PACS and IT field. My wife graduated in 98 and is currently the Director of St. Joseph's Hospital. Lets just say we are doing very well for our ages. And it only took 3 years. Alot of people started working in the field once they have completed the first year of the program

 

So, Eddie... How did it go?

 

thanks for the info DUCK. i hope you don't mind answering a few other questions.

what do the 2 classes cover? how many hours make up basics? and by basics, do you mean typical college basics or those related to the field. i've already got a degree. also, roughly how much did the whole program cost you, including your prerequisites?

 

You will take about 3 or 4 classes your first semester with 1 day of Clinic.
They calls these core classes: Positioning 1&2, Medical term, Rad Physics.etc

The basics consist of or 2 englishs, A special Anatomy class designed for Radiology students, 2 maths, 2 or 3 electives, physicology, Beginning computers. I thing 1 or 2 more. I am sure they have changed it up a little bit since I went.
The core classes with Clinic rotations take 2 years to complete. Each semester you will spend more time in clinic and less time in the class. I believe the last semester is only 2 classes and 4 days of clinic. The clinic days are normally 8 hour days consisting of different hospitals around houston. Primarly on the SE side of houston. According to were you go to work once graduating(RT only) you look to make from $14 per hour(op clinics) to $20 per hour(large hostpitals Med Center). That is right out of school. I see most places paying RT's $17 to $23 with full benifets plus overtime. If you specialize in CT you could make up to $26 per hour. Nuclear medicine and Ultrasound pay the most $29-$32 range.
Now if you want to skip Radiology school you can go to a Nuclear Medicine or Ultrasound school and just complete there program and pass the Boards. The only problem with that is MOST employers look for somebody with both.

I paid a total of around 3000 or a little less for everything. Books and tuition.

 

Congradulations.

 

Congratulations Eddie!

 

A Rocket fan way up in Western NY deserves it.
Congrats and keep supporting the Rockets!

 

You da man EWS.. CONGRATS!!!

 

Nice Jorb!

 

Haha, been there, done that...I remember how much that sucked. Good luck.

 

Congrats bro...enjoy it.