Are there jobs for Radiology Technologist is Tampa Bay?

Curious in Palm Harbor, Florida said: Please let me know. Thank you!

NO!!! I have been looking for 3 months. I have been doing x-ray for 20 years.

Hi, Pooch. Can you please clarify? Are you saying you have 20 years experience but have been out of work and looking for 3 months? Are you ARRT registered? Thank you for the info!

I have 1 year experience and been off for 6 months.. I am ARRT registered but there are no jobs

hootie in Muncie, Indiana said: I have 1 year experience and been off for 6 months.. I am ARRT registered but there are no jobs

Are you in Indiana or Tampa Bay, FL?

I just graduated and became registered with ARRT too. I've been looking for a job in Tampa bay area since October. Even gave my resume to HR people...yeah walking into there offices dont help either. NO ONE IS HIRING RIGHT NOW. ITS SUCH A BOTHERSOME

Looking for a Full day time position 4yrs experience XRAY/Bone Density

Any ARRT jobs in St. Pete area? I have been a technologist for over 15 years. moved to Florida 2 years ago. Can't find a decent job.

I want to do some research on what major I should do in college. I was interested in rad tech and I understand that there are alot of post on here complaining of the lack of jobs avaliable. I would just like to ask a few questions: For the prsons who are unable to find work, are you just working as an x-ray tech or are you certified in other areas of radiology. If you are a NEW grad, what school,did you graduate from? Is it a public cmmunity college or university or private instiution like keiser or everest etc (in florida)??

I have just graduated from an accredited hospital based program in western New York, and have moved down to the Fort Myers area about two months ago in search of work. I am certified solely as a radiologic technologist, but have been trained in several different modalities to include knowledge of interventional radiology, EKG's, and CT's. I am having a very difficult time locating a job in SW Florida, although I am willing to commute a very reasonable distance for work. I'm not sure what the outlook for a more positive change is down here in Florida, but I can say that the job situation is exactly the same up in western New York. I would absolutely recommend the field of radiologic technology on the basis that it is very interesting and exciting to me, and you have the opportunity to advance into so many different modalities, but if you are attempting to stop after achieving you're two year certification then I would be aware that the job market is very competitive right now. Good luck to everybody, hope we all find something soon!

I graduated a year ago from radiography program. I'm still looking 4 a job. I havent moved on to the other modalities yet. Course i'm in Michigan which has the highest unemployment rate in the U.S. so I have no other choice right now but to relocate if I want to be in my field. I chose Florida but was told everyone there is on a hiring freeze too. It sux right now. I graduated from one of top radiography programs in the nation too. (Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, MI) Doesnt matter though, it's a tough market now especially when your trying to get your foot in the door. Good Luck though.

Wow im still thinking what my major is going to be, and i was thinking about radiologoist tech. From the look of this imma have to think twice.

flacko941 in Parrish, Florida said: Wow im still thinking what my major is going to be, and i was thinking about radiologoist tech. From the look of this imma have to think twice.

It's a very interesting field in my opinion, but due to the economic status of our country right now, it's very hard to find a job in the field unless you know someone who has a means of doing so!

Curious in Palm Harbor, Florida said: Please let me know. Thank you!

nope!!!

I am currently enrolled in the radiology program, everyone in my class complains that the criteria is boring. To be quite frank I love everything from the books & the discussions. My honest opinion, you should get a job you enjoy doing. Granted there are going to be aspects of every job that someone doesn't like at some point. But thats normal for every occupation. One thing I have seen is that they are desprite for work where im located. I guess there hiring everything from Nurses,Nurses Aids,Physicans,Physicans Assitants, Radilogists, just about every field is hirning. So if your in western new york & in need of a job.

mialuv in Fort Lauderdale, Florida said: I want to do some research on what major I should do in college. I was interested in rad tech and I understand that there are alot of post on here complaining of the lack of jobs avaliable. I would just like to ask a few questions: For the prsons who are unable to find work, are you just working as an x-ray tech or are you certified in other areas of radiology. If you are a NEW grad, what school,did you graduate from? Is it a public cmmunity college or university or private instiution like keiser or everest etc (in florida)??

I wouldnt use keiser or everest.I went to what is now Polk State College. The field sucks right now however. It is extremely hard to find a job. I graduated in Dec of 2008 and still have not found a job.

I am writing a paper about radiology technicians for english and i was wondering if anyone would was to answer a couple of questions. it will only take a few moments of your time. If you would, please email me at nterry32@yahoo.com asap. thank you and have a nice day.

Lindsey in Lakeland, Florida said: I wouldnt use keiser or everest.I went to what is now Polk State College. The field sucks right now however. It is extremely hard to find a job. I graduated in Dec of 2008 and still have not found a job.

why would you not go to keiser?

I graduated in Dec. 08... been looking ever since for a tech position. I am ARRT registered, registered with the State of FL DOH, and my BLS is current. I'm Bilingual which helps in this area and nothing! I have CT training, DEXA, and some MRI... I think I may just go back to school and finish my Criminal Justice Degree in the mean time.

There are several schools in the Richmond and Hampton Roads Virginia areas who pump out close to 200 new certified techs each year. There are absolutely no jobs anywhere in the area to be had. 60% of all rad techs are PRN (part time), which seems to be a growing trend since they don't have to pay any benefits to part timers, or "Travelers" as they call it. Also the wages seem to be creeping down as well, even though starting wages are almost at the poverty level as it is.

The Rad Tech job market has nothing to do with the economy, rather everything to do with a completely FLOODED job market. Way way way too many certified techs for the number of jobs in the foreseeable future.

Add that with the Government National health care system coming down the pike, and hospitals will be forced to lay off personnel. Yes they may end up being busier, but the Government will pay much less, and won't pay for imaging procedures anywhere near what insurance companies pay today. Just ask someone who had to wait 6 months for a CT in the UK, France or Canada.

Becoming a Certified Rad Tech was perhaps the biggest waste of money and time I've ever done. I cannot live off 20 hours a week filling in for full timers who want their holidays and weekends off. You can make more money working at a home depot or a McDonalds for that matter.

Even though I enjoy working with patients, this is not a glamorous job by any stretch.

I am lucky enough to have a full-time job as a tech in a hospital! But, there are few jobs here and the one available don't want to pay due to Kaiser pumping out 200 grads a year! This is a flooded market!
I wish ARRT would do something. I used to be in demand and made good money, but those days are gone! Thinking about going back to school to be a Nurse or an RA.

Melissa Savelli in Tampa, Florida said: You are all correct. The market in the Tampa Bay area is saturated right now, but don't let that discourage you! You can submit a profile on our website and if a position becomes available we will automatically email you to let you know it is open. I will be honest, I tend to get 300 to 400 applications for one Full-Time Radiology Tech position, so it makes it difficult to get back to each and everyone inquiring, but I do my best to keep you informed. Also, if you apply for a PRN position and are outside of the 30 minute radius for call, this may be a reason you are not being considered for a position. I am a Recruiter for Imaging and that is my profession, so I will be happy to try and help as much as possible! Good luck to you all and if you need anything, feel free to let me know.

Thank you, Melissa. What is the job outlook for ultrasound/sonographers in the Tampa Bay?

i wish arrt would do something. x ray seemed fun and intersting... $40K later and no job to be had in sight... i feel i wasted 2 + years going to school for something tht I may not use...and the schools continuing to pump out students...this is horrrible and should be stopped!!

I went to keiser university and graduated december of 2007. I could not find any RT jobs in miami, fl so I got a job at a dr's office as an office assistant and saved up to move to atlanta. I have been in atlanta for two years and still have not been able to find a job as a Rad Tech. The only job i've had up here is also a job at a dr's office as an office assistant. So, I am convinced it's not a good job market anywhere. I have read about Rad Techs in various states that are not able to find jobs. I hope I can go back to school to become a CNA or a certified medical assistant. That's pretty much what I see now as far as job openings.

barbara in Atlanta, Georgia said: I went to keiser university and graduated december of 2007. I could not find any RT jobs in miami, fl so I got a job at a dr's office as an office assistant and saved up to move to atlanta. I have been in atlanta for two years and still have not been able to find a job as a Rad Tech. The only job i've had up here is also a job at a dr's office as an office assistant. Sog, I am convinced it's not a good job market anywhere. I have read about Rad Techs in various states that are not able to find jobs. I hope I can go back to school to become a CNA or a certified medical assistant. That's pretty much what I see now as far as job openings.

Sup its alex from ur class ,Barbara sorry to hear that it sux just don't give up! Keep ur head up. HAZIM

There are 5 accredited schools for sonography/ultrasound between Tampa Bay and Orlando plus a bunch of unaccredited schools like Sanford Brown. The sonography market here is saturated as well.

alex in Davenport, Florida said: Sup its alex from ur class ,Barbara sorry to hear that it sux just don't give up! Keep ur head up. HAZIM

It's difficult to keep ones head up when everything falls through as far as a Rad Tech job goes. Especially when you have to pay for Continuing Education credits that are expensive. I don't see the point in paying for CE credits to keep your certification if there is no opportunity to use it. It's pretty much throwing money away. Not to mention the debt that came after going to Keiser (over 30K).

There's a lot of money that we have to put up for something that doesn't give back any money.

Schools like Keiser mass produce these x-ray techs to make money, they don't care about the job market or about our ability to get a job after graduating. They get their money from the banks up front, and we get in debt without being able to pay for these loans. So, basically these students are losing while the schools are banking in $$$. There are no RT jobs to accommodate the amount of students being put out of these schools and the market keeps getting saturated.

www.ripoffreport.com/trade-schools/sanford-brown-instit/sanford-brown-institute-care-ff37d.htm

barbara in Atlanta, Georgia said: I went to keiser university and graduated december of 2007. I could not find any RT jobs in miami, fl so I got a job at a dr's office as an office assistant and saved up to move to atlanta. I have been in atlanta for two years and still have not been able to find a job as a Rad Tech. The only job i've had up here is also a job at a dr's office as an office assistant. So, I am convinced it's not a good job market anywhere. I have read about Rad Techs in various states that are not able to find jobs. I hope I can go back to school to become a CNA or a certified medical assistant. That's pretty much what I see now as far as job openings.

Congradulations on making a new career choice. You should check out Murray Career Institute. They have a great CNA course that only 2 weeks and 3 days long. The training is fast and affordable. Visit thier website www.murraycareerinstitute.com

Its really sad that you wasted money and time going thru x-ray school. Unfortunately here in Ga there is no license required to do x-rays. Thats why medical assistants are allowed to do x-rays in dr's offices. They are the ones taking away our jobs. Why would a doctor or clinic manager want to hire a ARRT registered x-ray tech for $20/hr when they can just hire an MA and pay them half that amount. There should be more laws protecting our profession but all the ARRT cares about is money not our job security.

Im like thinking of pursuing a career in radiology and like most scouring info on a radiology career has been discouraging.

One thing i have noticed is know one mentions the specifics. I have heard from professionals that there are jobs and there aren't. So for anyone who can give me some insight into why I should not pursue a career in this field it would be great to have a few of these questions answered.

Are you a recent grad that has found a job?

What school did you graduate from? What was your GPA? Any other degrees?

Are you committed to work only in a specific are/specific wage within reason?(do you have a family, wife, mortgage).

Regarding previous degrees and GPA from the perspective of a potential employer in a now competitive job field wouldn't they only want the cream of the crop? Why would they pick someone who barley got by on 2.5 average than someone who got a 4.0? One could argue budget cuts leads them to only hire people who will accept lower pay and that the job itself is simple enough that even a less than ideal candidate could do it. I don't believe that to be true and would think employers would want someone who is interested in moving further in their career either laterally or vertically and who has a track record of bettering themselves through education.

I guess to me it seems like some people woke up one morning heard about the medical field shortages THEN heard about the money. They were driven by the potential income but really had no desire in the nature of the work. To them just another job. They were promised the world and would not accept anything less.

I just want to know if someone really loves this work and works their ass off for it will they find work. 1,300 entry jobs in my last search.

barbara in Atlanta, Georgia said: I went to keiser university and graduated december of 2007. I could not find any RT jobs in miami, fl so I got a job at a dr's office as an office assistant and saved up to move to atlanta. I have been in atlanta for two years and still have not been able to find a job as a Rad Tech. The only job i've had up here is also a job at a dr's office as an office assistant. So, I am convinced it's not a good job market anywhere. I have read about Rad Techs in various states that are not able to find jobs. I hope I can go back to school to become a CNA or a certified medical assistant. That's pretty much what I see now as far as job openings.

Hi Barbara in Atlanta, I just wanted to let you know that CNA work is horrible and you make very little money.I was a CNA for 2 years until I got smart and went back to school. CNAs are the most overworked and underpaid people in a hospital. If you like back breaking work and lots of smelly bodily fluids then go for it! Same with MA, I was an MA for 5 years and the work is not as bad but you will bust your butt for little pay and usually no insurance as well.Sorry to be such a downer! GO TO NURSING SCHOOL!! You may bust your but as a nurse but you will be well paid for it and jobs are everywhere.

Cha Cha in Alliance, Ohio said: Hi Barbara in Atlanta, I just wanted to let you know that CNA work is horrible and you make very little money.I was a CNA for 2 years until I got smart and went back to school. CNAs are the most overworked and underpaid people in a hospital. If you like back breaking work and lots of smelly bodily fluids then go for it! Same with MA, I was an MA for 5 years and the work is not as bad but you will bust your butt for little pay and usually no insurance as well.Sorry to be such a downer! GO TO NURSING SCHOOL!! You may bust your but as a nurse but you will be well paid for it and jobs are everywhere.

Very, very true. I'm a CNA and I loathe it. I finish OT school in 4 months, and I can't wait to leave this awful "career" behind. OTOH, it wouldn't be so bad if the pay wasn't so horrible.

Congratulations! I almost went to OT school but opted for nursing. Good luck in your new career!

Cha Cha in Alliance, Ohio said: Congratulations! I almost went to OT school but opted for nursing. Good luck in your new career!

Thank you! And good luck in your nursing career!

Considering in Oldsmar, Florida said: Thank you, Melissa. What is the job outlook for ultrasound/sonographers in the Tampa Bay?

im trying to go to school and move to tampa bay area.... i hope the market is getting better there since i plan to move there in may this year....i am arrt certified....but need fl license what do i need to do to get that? also whats the outlook for healthcare administrators in that area as well?? since i plan to get my bs there in that?

x_ray_09 in Jamestown, New York said: I am currently enrolled in the radiology program, everyone in my class complains that the criteria is boring. To be quite frank I love everything from the books & the discussions. My honest opinion, you should get a job you enjoy doing. Granted there are going to be aspects of every job that someone doesn't like at some point. But thats normal for every occupation. One thing I have seen is that they are desprite for work where im located. I guess there hiring everything from Nurses,Nurses Aids,Physicans,Physicans Assitants, Radilogists, just about every field is hirning. So if your in western new york & in need of a job.

I checked out all of the hospitals, online, for your area and there are no jobs.

meredithradtech said: im trying to go to school and move to tampa bay area.... i hope the market is getting better there since i plan to move there in may this year....i am arrt certified....but need fl license what do i need to do to get that? also whats the outlook for healthcare administrators in that area as well?? since i plan to get my bs there in that?

you need at least a masters, a BS is bs... not gonna get you into administration, get your MBA and forget your R.T.

mialuv in Fort Lauderdale, Florida said: I want to do some research on what major I should do in college. I was interested in rad tech and I understand that there are alot of post on here complaining of the lack of jobs avaliable. I would just like to ask a few questions: For the prsons who are unable to find work, are you just working as an x-ray tech or are you certified in other areas of radiology. If you are a NEW grad, what school,did you graduate from? Is it a public cmmunity college or university or private instiution like keiser or everest etc (in florida)??

I am licensed radiologic technologist. I graduated last year 2010. I went to Miami dade College medical campus. It was a great program and all hospitals love miami dade students. We have a great reputation.

Note, Florida has more Radiology Training Schools than any other State. Competition for Healthcare jobs is fierce in Florida. A low wage dead end job is even hard to come by. The economy has hit Florida really hard and unemployment rates are some of the highest in the USA, especially Southeast and Southwest parts of the State. I spent 7 months in the Naples Ft Myers area and had to return home to Illinois because of the lack of jobs in Florida. The Radiology jobs market is not great, but in Florida you have a better chance of winning the lottery than finding a job in Diagnostic Imaging. I wonder how many unemployed technologists there are in Florida?? I'm guessing 2000 or more including X Ray, MRI, CT, US, NUC MED. How many full time REAL positions? Probably less than 100 per year in each modality right now. Talk about complete saturation of a job market.

I'm an experienced RT in Florida and wouldn't let my worst enemy go to x-ray school. There are no jobs here. Don't waste your time and money going to school for x-ray here in Florida. Take the same money and time and get a nursing degree. They are in high demand and have so many options to expand upon.

yes x-ray aart techs is very difficult right now. i have been a tech for over 40 years and now at my age i am 61 am now doing mobile x-ray and i love it. i do not think i want to work in a hospital any more, i have been a traveller and got paid big bucks like 42 dollars an hour back in 2003. i have worked in hospitals i loved er work and worked in several orthopedic offices by private doctors. i have been vey blessed in my field and have never!!!!!!!!!!!!!! had to look for a job somehow they found me, I still do not now why people hire me, but now at my age i like working with the old people which at my younger years i would never
have done this ,what is good about this story is that pretty soon
people like me are going to retire and trust me in the next 5-10 years we are all going to retire and they will have lots of arrt x=ray joabs availabile. i worked at 3 hospitals in newport news and norfolf virginia. then i moved to miama fl. worked at jackson memorial,and at the age of 29 i was a supervisor,i quit and moved to clearwater,fl and stayed here for 10 years always had a job 7 years at mease dunedin then became a traveler/ then moved to houston/tx for 10 years/ now back in new port richey, fl. and and doing moble. so that is my life and i hope to continue this job till i retire

winston 100 in New Port Richey, Florida said: yes x-ray aart techs is very difficult right now. i have been a tech for over 40 years and now at my age i am 61 am now doing mobile x-ray and i love it. i do not think i want to work in a hospital any more, i have been a traveller and got paid big bucks like 42 dollars an hour back in 2003. i have worked in hospitals i loved er work and worked in several orthopedic offices by private doctors. i have been vey blessed in my field and have never!!!!!!!!!!!!!! had to look for a job somehow they found me, I still do not now why people hire me, but now at my age i like working with the old people which at my younger years i would never
have done this ,what is good about this story is that pretty soon
people like me are going to retire and trust me in the next 5-10 years we are all going to retire and they will have lots of arrt x=ray joabs availabile. i worked at 3 hospitals in newport news and norfolf virginia. then i moved to miama fl. worked at jackson memorial,and at the age of 29 i was a supervisor,i quit and moved to clearwater,fl and stayed here for 10 years always had a job 7 years at mease dunedin then became a traveler/ then moved to houston/tx for 10 years/ now back in new port richey, fl. and and doing moble. so that is my life and i hope to continue this job till i retire

There aren't going to be enough of you retiring to make jobs plentiful out there. BTW, most who are able to retire aren't because of the economy.

Now hear this! I have been in this radiology field to more than 35 years. I am a retired US Navy trained veteran of 22 years. I've been out of work for almost 2 years. I've aplied for more than 800 radiologic technologist jobs in that time. NO BITES and VERY FEW NIBBLES. I dont care if I get paid the same as the young chickens. I just want a job!

Considering in Oldsmar, Florida said: Thank you, Melissa. What is the job outlook for ultrasound/sonographers in the Tampa Bay?

just lost my job of 8 years with a company that laid me and 2 other people off that had been there quite longer than the new out of school people they kept. what is this all about? is this an age thing or what?

Our vocation is being flooded by all these new technical colleges that keep on popping up all over. The market is so saturated that Techs will work for a lot less than even the average pay 10 years ago. The sad thing is that they are not even trained as well as they should be. I hate having to train these new techs in OR and fluoroscopy. I knew more than most of these grad s in my senior year in the program. Now the schools aren't even suppling site supervisors. Techs at the rotation site are supposed to train them. These students don't even know they are getting ripped off. And the employers and the schools big are making big money while smany of our friends and co-workers are laid off and jobless. Couldn't the ARRT accreditation committee so something? It's time to start bombarding them with letters or learn a new trade.
I am thankful I have a job, at least for now.

@Tanya Jones,,

Radiology is a complete mess right now, the market is so far beyond saturated its a joke. New Grad imaging techs are hungry and desperate for "anything" just to get experience, they'll even work for free, which drives down salaries..

Forget the ARRT, they will do nothing and don't care to either. Fact of the matter they're the ones behind all this. It's all about the $$$$ not the profession.

pooch in Wesley Chapel, Florida said: NO!!! I have been looking for 3 months. I have been doing x-ray for 20 years.

I have been doing X-ray for 12 years and MRI for 6 years ,I am ARRT RT MR. I have been looking for work in Florida for more than 3 months .Florida is the worse state in the nation .There are a lot of jobs in other states . not in FL.

Agree. No jobs.
Licensed almost 20 years RT (R)(M). Left the field for a few to help a family member with a start up business, tried to get back to work and have been looking for over a year.
The ARRT let this happen, allowing all these "technical" schools to open up.
Now they are all over Florida, charge these kids a fortune and have totally flooded the entire state with new techs that will do just about anything to get a job, and really what choice do these kids have? Most have big student loans to pay back.
As long as these schools keep dumping out new grads things will never get better. Bet the ARRT didn't even know what they were allowing to happen when they let these guys in.
Now the real question, is there any way to get rid of them?
If not, we might as well all get a job at Mickey D's for all an ARRT Certification is worth.

Agree. No jobs.
Licensed almost 20 years RT (R)(M). Left the field for a few to help a family member with a start up business, tried to get back to work and have been looking for over a year.
The ARRT let this happen, allowing all these "technical" schools to open up.
Now they are all over Florida, charge these kids a fortune and have totally flooded the entire state with new techs that will do just about anything to get a job, and really what choice do these kids have? Most have big student loans to pay back.
As long as these schools keep dumping out new grads things will never get better. Bet the ARRT didn't even know what they were allowing to happen when they let these guys in.
Now the real question, is there any way to get rid of them?
If not, we might as well all get a job at Mickey D's for all an ARRT Certification is worth.

JdP in Tampa, Florida said: Agree. No jobs.
Licensed almost 20 years RT (R)(M). Left the field for a few to help a family member with a start up business, tried to get back to work and have been looking for over a year.
The ARRT let this happen, allowing all these "technical" schools to open up.
Now they are all over Florida, charge these kids a fortune and have totally flooded the entire state with new techs that will do just about anything to get a job, and really what choice do these kids have? Most have big student loans to pay back.
As long as these schools keep dumping out new grads things will never get better. Bet the ARRT didn't even know what they were allowing to happen when they let these guys in.
Now the real question, is there any way to get rid of them?
If not, we might as well all get a job at Mickey D's for all an ARRT Certification is worth.

No need to get a job at McD's just look at some of the multitude of careers out there. I left x-ray about 1.5yrs and moved into IT.