X-ray Tech

If there is anyone out there with some MUCH needed advise,please say something :). I have been an x-ray tech for 30 years(yeah, I'm old). I'm fully licensed in Diagnostic but not in Fluro or Mamm. Used to be but not anymore(long story).Anyway, I'm around Riverside,Ca. and I'm looking for somewhere to train me in CT MRI. Any ideas or no of somewhere?

nanjan said: If there is anyone out there with some MUCH needed advise,please say something :). I have been an x-ray tech for 30 years(yeah, I'm old). I'm fully licensed in Diagnostic but not in Fluro or Mamm. Used to be but not anymore(long story).Anyway, I'm around Riverside,Ca. and I'm looking for somewhere to train me in CT MRI. Any ideas or no of somewhere?

Without a fluoroscopy license you will find it hard to be employed in a acute hospital setting. You may want to lean more toward MRI that does not require any Radiology license. May I suggest a clinic or Doctors office setting. Good Luck.

As long as you are an RT(R) and current in your CE's. You can cross train for any modality. I cross trained into CT at the hospital I worked at and got hired there as a CT tech. (UN-LICENSED). I researched what it took to be licensed - similar to x-ray you have a number of "masteries" to perform within a period of time and then after sending your paperwork into the ARRT you are approved to take your boards. I paid for a self-study course as well, and studied that way too. As far as not having fluoroscopy - not a big deal in my book. Third shift techs arn't required to know this or surgery at my hospital and are still eligible for CT. The ONLY requirements for CT boards are the CT masteries, payment, and to be an RT(R)and proof you are who you are. There is no such thing as a flouroscopic license, either you are an RT(R) or you are not, and if your are than you can cross train and take your CT boards - end of story. Good luck!

Additionally -
You need to be an RT(R) before you are an MRI tech as well. Same situation as far as taking the boards in MRI as well.
I believe that you biggest challenge with either choice (MRI or CT) would be getting into a placement for cross-training. Your best option would be going to a teaching hospital that is large and has a big volume of patients. Talk to the intern director there and see if you can intern for the year that it takes to complete the masteries. (be prepared that this may be un-paid). However, it is also a potential "foot-in-the-door" after all is said and done.

Pitch the facts on how they would benefit from this.
you being an older tech means
- one year of free labor (knowledge for you)
- if hired lower payscale for seniority (income for you)
- less acruing of retirement and vesting payout for them (modailty license for you)

Janalee Holt in Twin Lake, Michigan said: As long as you are an RT(R) and current in your CE's. You can cross train for any modality. I cross trained into CT at the hospital I worked at and got hired there as a CT tech. (UN-LICENSED). I researched what it took to be licensed - similar to x-ray you have a number of "masteries" to perform within a period of time and then after sending your paperwork into the ARRT you are approved to take your boards. I paid for a self-study course as well, and studied that way too. As far as not having fluoroscopy - not a big deal in my book. Third shift techs arn't required to know this or surgery at my hospital and are still eligible for CT. The ONLY requirements for CT boards are the CT masteries, payment, and to be an RT(R)and proof you are who you are. There is no such thing as a flouroscopic license, either you are an RT(R) or you are not, and if your are than you can cross train and take your CT boards - end of story. Good luck!

In CA RT(R)s are required to have a fluoro. lic. -- so yes yyyyy is correct. Please beware that states have different laws before giving advice and stating "that there is no such thing."

xoxo in Norfolk, Virginia said: In CA RT(R)s are required to have a fluoro. lic. -- so yes yyyyy is correct. Please beware that states have different laws before giving advice and stating "that there is no such thing."

did not realize that states varied so much.

xoxo in Norfolk, Virginia said: In CA RT(R)s are required to have a fluoro. lic. -- so yes yyyyy is correct. Please beware that states have different laws before giving advice and stating "that there is no such thing."

Most facilities will not hire someone for CT that is not already trained. to be hired into the facility where you can have a chance to train for CT will be hard as most require the fluoro permit, whether you do it or not. it is part of a standard job description. easiest chance in to do CT would be to do nights or weekend shifts

Janalee Holt in Twin Lake, Michigan said: There is no such thing as a flouroscopic license, either you are an RT(R) or you are not, and if your are than you can cross train and take your CT boards - end of story. Good luck!

Not exactly true. In California, there is a Fluoroscopic permit issued by the California Department of Health Radiologic Health Branch. It is required to operate any fluoroscopic device. It is the California Code of Regulations, title 17, Section 30450. Being an RT(R) is not sufficient to operate fluoro equipment.

Thanks for all you advise. I have another question. I am in a MRI program with a few months left before I can take my ARMRID. What I'm seeking now... is there anyone out there that has some CE books. I've went through GAGE before and it can be costly!! If I can find someone with some books I haven't used, I can just pay for the order/grade sheet. ANYONE OUT HERE WITH CU BOOKS!!

[QUOTE who=" There is no such thing as a flouroscopic license, either you are an RT(R) or you are not, and if your are than you can cross train and take your CT boards - end of story. Good luck!

FYI- As someone who moved to California from Michigan; California requires everyone to take and pass with 75% the Fluoroscopic test for a Fluoro license. Without said license it will be impossible to find work in California in a hospital setting or even most clinics. To take the test you will need a letter from your original school saying they met the requirements for the California testing from the head of the program and pay about $200~$250 in fees. I'd suggest anyone looking to moving to California to check up on what licenses are needed because I went from having seven years experience as an emergency/surgical/fluoro tech to having to spend nearly $1000 getting licensed before I could get a job in California.

Despite what it seems to indicate on the California website, you CAN NOT use your experience to get out of taking the fluoro boards, it's an entirely separate license to the diagnostic radiology license.

James Gilmer in Pleasanton, California said: [QUOTE who=" There is no such thing as a flouroscopic license, either you are an RT(R) or you are not, and if your are than you can cross train and take your CT boards - end of story. Good luck!

FYI- As someone who moved to California from Michigan; California requires everyone to take and pass with 75% the Fluoroscopic test for a Fluoro license. Without said license it will be impossible to find work in California in a hospital setting or even most clinics. To take the test you will need a letter from your original school saying they met the requirements for the California testing from the head of the program and pay about $200~$250 in fees. I'd suggest anyone looking to moving to California to check up on what licenses are needed because I went from having seven years experience as an emergency/surgical/fluoro tech to having to spend nearly $1000 getting licensed before I could get a job in California.

Despite what it seems to indicate on the California website, you CAN NOT use your experience to get out of taking the fluoro boards, it's an entirely separate license to the diagnostic radiology license.

I am currently a ARRT certified tech from NY, I am moving to CA sometime in the near future. I just want to make sure that I have my info straight. Sorry to go off topic bc I am not asking about CT. So my process is that I apply for a license from CA, then when approved I have to pass the floro test and the protection test before I can start working in a hospital setting? Somewhere in that I have to also ask my school director to write a letter about the requirements are passed my the school? Or is this just when looking for CT work? Only asking because in some applications I filled out, there were questions about these certifications.