What is Happening to our Profession? |
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Kristina in Kalamazoo, Michigan 42 months ago |
Jon in Indianapolis, Indiana said: You might think being young and able to move would help...but it doesn't. Being out of state means you're pretty much the last person on the list. I applied to many positions out of state and when I would follow up with a call...HR told me that they are interviewing in-state first and if they don't find anyone...then they'll give me a call. It's sad, but true. I have a friend in HR at a large hospital in Portland, and he couldn't even get me an interview or a phone conference call. Good luck in radiation therapy though. You might think about a couple more years to become a dosimetrist. I hear they are in need at the moment and not many schools for it. Exactly what I found out! A lot of employers are even putting the phase, "Local Candidates Only" on their postings. It's just not fair and it should be illegal to discriminate against a job candidate for their location just as it is religion or race. I am glad I have a job but employers have also realized that because of the lack of jobs they can take advantage of us techs. I am employed by a company that contracts techs out to hospitals for both permanent and temp positions. The hospital I work for can call me in 24 hours a day 7 days a week since I am the only nuc med tech there and I don't get compensated for it at all. I am paid in salary so sometimes I even have to stay over my 8 hours since we are busy and I don't get paid overtime. I also get paid the bare minimum salary for a new tech and I don't get vacation or any time off until I work there for a year. I am basically getting screwed because they know they can. If I wasn't to take the job on their terms they know they can find another tech who will. If I could go back and do it over I would definitely not go into nuc med and if I could afford it I would go back to school for something else. Unfortunatly, nuc med was my 2nd degree and I can't afford to go back again. :( |
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Marie Dunn in Houston, Texas 42 months ago |
"Exactly what I found out! A lot of employers are even putting the phase, "Local Candidates Only" on their postings. It's just not fair and it should be illegal to discriminate against a job candidate for their location just as it is religion or race. " I would much rather employers put local candidates only, that way I don't waste my time filling out an application and sending my resume...Jobs now are through friends, if it were not for good friends I would not have the job I have now. If and when we have an opening I will be contacting one of my friends. |
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monica in Randolph, New Jersey 42 months ago |
Kristina That is horrible. I take a week of call a month to make extra money but at least I get paid for the hours I am on call and if I get called in, I make some nice money. I hate the feeling of being on call though and would not do it if the money were not so attractive. on call 24/7- That is crazy. You can never go anywhere. This was my second degree also and I am already in my early 40's. I love the medical field and have seriously considered going back to school ( again) but I don't have the heart for it . Luckily, I was hired before salaries went down and I could never make this hourly wage anywhere else. I feel bad for new graduates though. They have almost no chance of finding a job unless like was mentioned earlier- they have contacts. Many X-ray techs tell me they want to study Nuc Med and I discourage them. There is nothing worse than going to school for a few years and then finding out upon graduation that there are no jobs anywhere. |
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gord1138 in South Bend, Indiana 42 months ago |
Kristina in Kalamazoo, Michigan said: Exactly what I found out! A lot of employers are even putting the phase, "Local Candidates Only" on their postings. It's just not fair and it should be illegal to discriminate against a job candidate for their location just as it is religion or race. Keep track of every hour over 8/day. you can go back and file a lawsuit and win back pay, I have seen it happen several times |
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Mike in Valley Park, Missouri 42 months ago |
gord1138 in South Bend, Indiana said: Keep track of every hour over 8/day. you can go back and file a lawsuit and win back pay, I have seen it happen several times Hey did you ever work at plymounth regional medical center In Plymounth IN |
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Jason in Carnegie, Pennsylvania 41 months ago |
I was one of two people who graduated in July 2008 out a 20person class who actually got a job in Nuclear Medicine. Believe me... I thank my lucky stars everyday to have this job and I bust my butt for it. |
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gord1138 in Granger, Indiana 41 months ago |
Mike in Valley Park, Missouri said: Hey did you ever work at plymounth regional medical center In Plymounth IN nope not me, i workd at lakeland, EGH and Shared PET and now MHO |
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Mark Webb in Scranton, Pennsylvania 41 months ago |
Hey all,
-I am not a pessimist, I am a realist. Sometimes they are the same thing though. (father-in-law) |
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gord1138 in Novi, Michigan 41 months ago |
keep looking, I would put out as many resumes as possible at every clinic, hospital and cardiologist/Oncologist office. But the market is way down, dont leave one job without having another in this economy. I think this forum is all doom and gloom and would only give it a 65% accuracy level. Jobs are out there, they may not be in locales that you want, but at least most of us can get jobs. Keep looking and good luck.'
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Connie in Minneapolis, Minnesota 41 months ago |
Just wondering if anyone out there has taken the PET Registry exam? I am planning on taking it in Sept and was wondering if there were any study guides out there. |
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jane in Gardnerville, Nevada 39 months ago |
Marie Dunn in Houston, Texas said: I've been a Tech for over 10 years and was laid-off, right now all I can find is a PRN job. It's a position a recent grad would have landed 2 years ago. I know the schools are telling students if you learn CT or MRI you'll be more marketable, but that is just not the case. Despite what some think PET/CT & PET/MRI when it becomes available will be offered to the senior Techs. I was a senior Tech thats why I was trained in PET/CT. Alot of people are wasting their time and money, if that makes me sound bitter, I'm sorry but thats reality. California and Florida may have a few jobs, but it's just a matter of months before Tech's flock to those areas. The field is saturated and I would not reccomend it to anyone who needs to make a living. Yea Florida and California do have some job openings but as a graduate from the Florida area it is pretty much like the rest of the country the few places that are hiring want experienced tech with 2+yrs on the job, there is really no where that is hiring new grads and the few places that will hire new grad are only PRN jobs which gives little pay and very little hours. My enitre graduating class of 11 there are 3 of us who have either PRN or part time jobs...no one has been able to get a full time position... |
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Kris joseph in Miami, Florida 39 months ago |
I do not believe that Florida has many jobs in nuclear medicine. I live in Dania Beach Florida. My employer laid me off and hired a new grad. For the past 6 months I was looking for job and no luck. I am willing to relocate. 1000s of techs applying for the one job opening that comes up once in a while. The job openings are just PRN jobs. The postings you see in this site are just repeated postings from the past.
The following are some of the accredited nuclear medicine schools in Florida |
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Kris joseph in Miami, Florida 39 months ago |
The following are some of the accredited nuclear medicine schools in Florida
SCHOOL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGY
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Saly in Charlotte, North Carolina 39 months ago |
Kris joseph in Miami, Florida said: Keiser has four different nuclear medicine campuses in Florida. Each of these campuses produces 3 batches of students per year. Each of these batches contains an average of 15 to 25 students. They have 100% pass rate. O myyyyyyy, 3 batches each year... what is that like a mice liter reproducability going on in Keiser? Relocating would not help anyone... |
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Jim in Mattoon, Illinois 39 months ago |
That is quite outrageous. The employment in this field will be dead in no time at that rate. |
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thatchickinpa in State College, Pennsylvania 39 months ago |
Doing your research about a particular field of study BEFORE investing a lot of time and money into a degree is very important. Many are complaining that research didn't help them. However, the quality of their research was obviously lacking. When my friend graduated with her NMT degree in 1996, she couldn't find a full-time job! The market for NMTs was just horrible. When doing research, you also need to look at employment and salary TRENDS. Do not just look at what is happening NOW because as you will find out, things change. There are few things in life that are constants. And if you haven't learned this lesson yet, then think about your future plans carefully: going to school and earning a degree does not guarantee a job, wealth, or success in life (financial or otherwise). I don't care what your teachers, career or guidance counselors, parents, aunts and uncles, the media, government, etc., say. As with any investment, there are risks involved and you need to be aware of as many as possible (however some are just unknown no matter what research you do.) As far as NMT is concerned, from what I've seen I cannot recommend it as a good career choice. Especially if you need a relatively stable and consistent income over a period of several years. If you are considering leaving NMT, give your career change a great deal of thought. I cannot stress this point enough. I have seen too many people compromise their financial futures by borrowing a lot of money to return to school under the premise that they will be earning "big bucks" in their new career. More often than not, they find few available jobs or lower than expected pay upon graduation. And student loans never go away - even declaring bankruptcy does not clear them. They are with you for life or until you repay them in full. |
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jane in Gardnerville, Nevada 39 months ago |
And from the looks of it, Nuc Med is not the only modality that is being affected by numerous grads and the bad economy. I work for a facility in California, which laid off 6 x-ray techs this week due to the economy and the fact the insuraers are being extremely slow to pay and that loads of people are losing their jobs and in turn no insurance to get medical exams done!!! And from the friends I have talked to around the US it seems to be a trend of laying off tech in X-ray...as well as CT and Nuc Med...it seems that right now the two safest bets are MRI and US/Echo...HOWEVER these professions will eventually be running into the same issues, I know of numerous people who have decided to study both of these fields after gradutating from Nuc Med and not finding a job so it will be just a matter of time before all imaging fields are in the same boat, especially until the economy gets better...health care is not recession proof! |
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thatchickinpa in State College, Pennsylvania 39 months ago |
jane in Gardnerville, Nevada said: ...health care is not recession proof! It is funny you say this. During a meeting I was in on Monday, a fellow engineer remarked, "Everyone is losing money in this economy except Health Care!" Grass is always greener ... |
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jane in Gardnerville, Nevada 39 months ago |
thatchickinpa in State College, Pennsylvania said: It is funny you say this. During a meeting I was in on Monday, a fellow engineer remarked, "Everyone is losing money in this economy except Health Care!" Yea it sure does seem that way...truthfully I am kinda over hearing that everyone is suffering EXCEPT healthcare cause that is the furtherest from the truth...Now it is totally true that people are going to always need healthcare but so it is true with alot of other things but we have decided what we can do without...I guess what I am saying is yea people will need healthcare but we are at the point where most patients are coming in for emergency situations more than routine visit because when you loose your job and/or insurance that pain in your chest/stomach/arm/leg whatever the case maybe has turned from "well lets make a doctors appointment" to well lets "wait to see it if gets worse". Please tell the 6 x-ray techs and 2 ekg techs that just got laid off that the economy isnt affecting the healthcare industry...and if things get worse they are looking at more lay-off's which means more stress and work on the people that they do keep. All I can say is that right now I am blessed with having a job and I hope it stays that way as things go more down hill! |
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Ricky in Charlotte, North Carolina 38 months ago |
I stumbled across this forum, because of course I was thinking of going into the NMT field. This is because I have been talking to an online friend, who is a NMT. He said that he was making $164,000, and just got promoted to chief NMT, and now will make $220,000. He works for the government in Fayetteville. Then I come here, and I see things like $15,000 a year??? I dont understand at all! I know the government always pays much much more, and when Ive researched, the median pay is always around $70,000. Where does this $15,000 come from??? Is it because they only have a certificate or AS? Just wondering, thanks! |
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jenny in Boca Raton, Florida 38 months ago |
I have never heard of a NMT making anywhere near that kind of salary..government or not. Been in the field for over 20 years and the most I've heard anyone making is about 90K-100K if they are working for themselves as an independent contractor. That was also back in the day when there was an abundance of jobs and not a lot of techs.
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Marie Dunn in Houston, Texas 38 months ago |
I'm with you Jenny in Boca. I don't know whether to laugh or cry....I have a B.S. and for me it is $1. Ricky has got to be talking about physicians...No one makes that kind of money. |
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jenny in Boca Raton, Florida 38 months ago |
It was $1.50/hr more for me. Big freaking deal. Honestly was NOT worth spendig 4 years as opposed to 2 years in school for $1.50/hr more.
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charlie in Longview, Texas 38 months ago |
jenny in Boca Raton, Florida said: It was $1.50/hr more for me. Big freaking deal. Honestly was NOT worth spendig 4 years as opposed to 2 years in school for $1.50/hr more. Big freaking deal?!??? 1.50x40x4x52=12,000 bucks extra a year is a lot!!...in four years that's almost the equivalent to a whole year's salary for some...you're an idiot if you think it's not worth it... |
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charlie in Longview, Texas 38 months ago |
charlie in Longview, Texas said: Big freaking deal?!??? 1.50x40x4x52=12,000 bucks extra a year is a lot!!...in four years that's almost the equivalent to a whole year's salary for some...you're an idiot if you think it's not worth it... I'm an idiot...my math is bad too apparently...3k a year...still in 4 years that's 12k...still worth it to me |
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jenny in Boca Raton, Florida 38 months ago |
As far as calling me an idiot goes, that is not what this forum is for. Learn some manners. I expressed that a very slight increase in pay comparing a 2 yr vs a 4 yr. degree. It was just my opinion.
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charlie in Longview, Texas 38 months ago |
jenny in Boca Raton, Florida said: As far as calling me an idiot goes, that is not what this forum is for. Learn some manners. I expressed that a very slight increase in pay comparing a 2 yr vs a 4 yr. degree. It was just my opinion. I already called myself an idiot also. I had been up writing a long paper for a management class and didn't catch the mistake until I hit submit. We don't use Adenosine anymore, we use Lexiscan now, so you don't have to worry about a dose mistake. ;) |
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jenny in Boca Raton, Florida 38 months ago |
charlie in Longview, Texas said: I'm an idiot...my math is bad too apparently...3k a year...still in 4 years that's 12k...still worth it to me Sorry, your corrected annual salary increase still isn't worth it in my opinion. That's 4 years of paying off student loans for the two more years of school...plus interest, which would make it even longer than 4 yrs. The other Nuc Tech said she made $1.00 more per hour which is more in line with waht the average increase is. That brings one's annual salary increase for 2 more years of college up to a whopping $2,000. 70K vs 72K...not a big difference to me. Sorry. Also,some places don't even care and have no pay differential. |
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jenny in Boca Raton, Florida 38 months ago |
charlie in Longview, Texas said: I already called myself an idiot also. I had been up writing a long paper for a management class and didn't catch the mistake until I hit submit. We don't use Adenosine anymore, we use Lexiscan now, so you don't have to worry about a dose mistake. ;) We still use adenosine as do many other facilities. You're lucky that you don't have to worry about a dose mistake.
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charlie in Longview, Texas 38 months ago |
I'll make my apology clear, I'm sorry. All 5 of the techs I graduated with last April had jobs before we even graduated. It was very competitive but I still landed two job offers. Got very lucky. As far as the student loans, most facilities pay for school with a contract. I'm finishing my degree in health care management for free. It's not about just the benefits of salary, but marketability. If you have experience + BS degree, you will still be more marketable than someone with a certificate and no experience as I was when I graduated. |
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jenny in Boca Raton, Florida 38 months ago |
charlie in Longview, Texas said: I'll make my apology clear, I'm sorry. A facility paying for my education was not an option back in 1982 so needless to say I paid for my own 4yr degree. Took a long time to pay back student loans with a starting salary of $15.10 with only slight cost of living increases per year.
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Saly in Charlotte, North Carolina 38 months ago |
charlie in Longview, Texas said: If you have experience + BS degree, you will still be more marketable than someone with a certificate and no experience as I was when I graduated. "marketable", that would be right, if there is a market, but in the case of the NMT jobs market, it is almost non existant... |
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jenny in Boca Raton, Florida 38 months ago |
Saly in Charlotte, North Carolina said: "marketable", that would be right, if there is a market, but in the case of the NMT jobs market, it is almost non existant... Not necessarily Charlie. It is more economical for facilities to hire new grads at a new grad starting salary than to hire someone with my experience and education. They know I would expect to be compensated for my degree and experience, which would be several $ more per hour than a new grad, or even a person with a couple years of experience.
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jenny in Boca Raton, Florida 38 months ago |
The fact that I do have the experience and there are so many new grads is exactly the reason why they would not want to waste my time or theirs in even contacting me for an interview.
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Saly in Charlotte, North Carolina 38 months ago |
Stitch in Des Moines, Iowa said: I personally kept a diary of illegal and unethical activities and practices that I'd seen and experienced in my one year as an NMT student. This diary is so lengthy that when I look back on this 2 years later, I can barely beleive this whole thing wasn't all just a bad dream. For me at least, it felt much more like I was involved in organized crime rather than attending college. I would love to be able to read your diary... Have you thought of publishing it as a short story named something like "the old-new world of medicine?" |
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jenny in Boca Raton, Florida 38 months ago |
Saly in Charlotte, North Carolina said: I would love to be able to read your diary... Have you thought of publishing it as a short story named something like "the old-new world of medicine?" LOL..it is amazing how much the field has changed in the past 20 years..needless to say, for the worse. Back then, even only 5-10 years ago, one had their pick of jobs. Whether it be apps specialist, sales, teaching, lead tech, etc. Pay was very competitive since there was a shortage of techs. That occured mostly around 8-10 yrs ago. Jobs would actually fall onto my plate and I would have to consider whether or not to make a move. If the price was right, I'd move, but always..same city, just different facility offering more. Never had to relocate.
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chris in Lititz, Pennsylvania 38 months ago |
this sucks im graduating in the end of the summer with a BS in NM. I am willing to go anywhere, but i doubt ill even get a call back... Does anyone know if I can fast track into MRI or CT to try and get a job while the market opens....I cant affored to wait. I come from a relatively poor family and am the first one ever to attend college. IF i cant find a job i will be forced to join the military because i will have noway to pay loans or a place to live....my family cannot afford to put food on the table for me im currently living off loans and 2 part time jobs |
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Bstlouis1 in Hyde Park, Massachusetts 38 months ago |
Bryant in Simi Valley, California said: Come to southern california... Hello Bryant,
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Bstlouis1 in Hyde Park, Massachusetts 38 months ago |
Steve in Miami, Florida said: I truly don't know what everyone here is talking about!! I am a 22 year old single guy I graduated 2 years ago from Keiser Univ. and right of the bat I got around 6 offerings. I got a full time job with benefits at a hospital less than a mile away from school starting at $36 per hr plus i do side jobs for clinics getting paid $40-$60 an hr. LOOK HARDER jobs are out there.. OR MOVE TO MIAMI!!!! Thank you very much steve. I am truly optomistic and hope to complete my NMT degree despite the short job offers. |
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Janet in West Chicago, Illinois 37 months ago |
Please submit a resume to me at janh@admaccess.com,
Janet Hausenbauer,
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jane in Gardnerville, Nevada 37 months ago |
Ricky in Charlotte, North Carolina said: I stumbled across this forum, because of course I was thinking of going into the NMT field. This is because I have been talking to an online friend, who is a NMT. He said that he was making $164,000, and just got promoted to chief NMT, and now will make $220,000. He works for the government in Fayetteville. Then I come here, and I see things like $15,000 a year??? I dont understand at all! I know the government always pays much much more, and when Ive researched, the median pay is always around $70,000. Where does this $15,000 come from??? Is it because they only have a certificate or AS? Just wondering, thanks! Yea i have never heard of a nuc med tech lead/chief make anywher near that money....not calling your friend a liar but he maybe misleading you...everyone likes to beef up their actual salary when talking to others...and actually the government is one of the lowest paying empolyers out there...Now i am personally close witha chief tech for one of the largest hospital facilities in south florida and they are making a little over $100k after 20+ yrs experience....Now $15,000 sounds way low that is also misleading make sure you are looking at nuclear medicine technologist not nuc medicine technician there is a big difference...plan on making as a new grad anywhere from 40-60k...that is about the right start out rate... |
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jane in Gardnerville, Nevada 37 months ago |
jenny in Boca Raton, Florida said: Sorry, your corrected annual salary increase still isn't worth it in my opinion. That's 4 years of paying off student loans for the two more years of school...plus interest, which would make it even longer than 4 yrs. How true...a $50,000 student loan bill and in 4 yrs an extra$12k...let's see that would still take me 16yrsm of that extra $1.50 to pay off my student loans..lol..what a joke |
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Saly in Charlotte, North Carolina 37 months ago |
Guys......... it is not only about the money you will take home at the end of the pay period... it is about how secure you feel where you work, how you are treated by your boss... how happy you are... Yes, money matters, especially today, but that is not all... I do not mind working for few bucks less if I have a great employer, that makes me feel good about what I do... |
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merci in Miami, Florida 37 months ago |
you are so right, money do not matter if you are not happy where you work and how you are treated by your boss, and lately in N.Medicine we are not treated so good! |
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Monica in Randolph, New Jersey 37 months ago |
I would say at this point, it is not a secure position by any means. If your hospital closes down or you are layed off- you have almost no chance of finding new employment. Employers now this and will take advantage of you any way they can. |
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JC 31 months ago |
jenny in Boca Raton, Florida said: I have never heard of a NMT making anywhere near that kind of salary..government or not. Been in the field for over 20 years and the most I've heard anyone making is about 90K-100K if they are working for themselves as an independent contractor. That was also back in the day when there was an abundance of jobs and not a lot of techs. SURE! My cousin makes $118,000 a year as a NMT + yearly bonuses and this is in Miami, Fl Works for Miami Cardio Pulm Institute - been there 17 years. |
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monica in Denville, New Jersey 31 months ago |
That is highly unusual in this day and age. She/He must have negotiated a salary like that 5-6 years ago when techs were scarce and demand exceeded supply. Most techs I know that made that kind of money were let go and replaced with cheaper labor ( i.e. new graduates). I am sure with the abundance of techs now, starting salaries have gone way, way down. |
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Sara in Pompano Beach, Florida 31 months ago |
JC said: SURE! My cousin makes $118,000 a year as a NMT + yearly bonuses and this is in Miami, Fl She must have another title other than Nuclear Tech. If not, then she is one of the few lucky ones who have been able to hold on to an unusually high paying position. I know people in our field who have worked in the same out patient facility up north for 15 years, and as a director, doesn't make that kind of money!
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JH in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania 31 months ago |
Bryant in Simi Valley, California said: Come to southern california... What is the name of your company? Still looking for techs? |
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flabbalanche in Oak Ridge, Tennessee 31 months ago |
"SURE! My cousin makes $118,000 a year as a NMT + yearly bonuses and this is in Miami, Fl Works for Miami Cardio Pulm Institute - been there 17 years." i call bool sheet. |
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