transitioning: high tech to medical???

[Scott N Denver]

I am curious if anyone here has transitioned from high tech into the medical field, know someone who has, or who has heard about it. If so, was it a go-back-to-school for a degree and certification thing , or a more direct transition?

For those who don't know, I'm an INFP in science/physics research, and amongst other things have worked with lasers. I haven't heard of any medical jobs such as "laser therapist" however. There is MRI tech, but usually you do x-ray tech first, then like another year or two of schooling for MRI as I understand. I have read before that they need people to calibrate/maintain/fix/whatever the magnets, so thats one way to transition physics to medical. There are medical physicists, usually dealing with cancer treatment. Advanced imaging is out there also, using lasers for NLO imaging.

Any input is welcome and greatly appreciated.

 

[Usehername]

My grandpa was a nuclear physicist who created for himself an extremely successful career in the medical field (entered med school in younger thirties with a family to support--quite risky for anyone, nevermind an ISFJ!). It was a life risk that is, both literally and figuratively, paying off dividends for generations and years to come.

I don't know how much about your background, but I guarantee you there's a niche for you with your previous area of expertise and your new yet-to-be-determined area. It's impossible that there's not, given that Western medicine relies so heavily upon technology.

If I were you I'd leverage :workout: all of all networks I had (friend, family, acquaintance, TypeC ) and ask a heck of a lot of questions. fMRI, PET, lab testing--ask ask ask. Don't narrow anything down yet because you're still in information gathering mode.

See if you can get into research facilities where they're using some technology that vaguely relates to what you do. Be the bridge between the medical field and the physicist. Sure, there's a lot of bridges already. But there are countless others that need to be built by people like you! Creativity is where your skills and your interests collide. Be creative.

I'm not sure how much you're looking to switch direction, but just in case you were thinking of making a bigger jump, I would recommend staying away from medical technologist jobs--you can't develop relationships with patients because you're just doing one scan, meaning it's the domain of the Fe user making the stranger feel comfortable.

 

[Scott N Denver]

My grandpa was a nuclear physicist who created for himself an extremely successful career in the medical field (entered med school in younger thirties with a family to support--quite risky for anyone, nevermind an ISFJ!). It was a life risk that is, both literally and figuratively, paying off dividends for generations and years to come.

I don't know how much about your background, but I guarantee you there's a niche for you with your previous area of expertise and your new yet-to-be-determined area. It's impossible that there's not, given that Western medicine relies so heavily upon technology.

If I were you I'd leverage :workout: all of all networks I had (friend, family, acquaintance, TypeC ) and ask a heck of a lot of questions. fMRI, PET, lab testing--ask ask ask. Don't narrow anything down yet because you're still in information gathering mode.

See if you can get into research facilities where they're using some technology that vaguely relates to what you do. Be the bridge between the medical field and the physicist. Sure, there's a lot of bridges already. But there are countless others that need to be built by people like you! Creativity is where your skills and your interests collide. Be creative.

I'm not sure how much you're looking to switch direction, but just in case you were thinking of making a bigger jump, I would recommend staying away from medical technologist jobs--you can't develop relationships with patients because you're just doing one scan, meaning it's the domain of the Fe user making the stranger feel comfortable.

Thanks for the feedback, especially about the medical technologist positions, because that was the first and most obvious jump I saw.

In case it matters, my training is in math, physics, EE, and MatSci, primarily focusing on optoelectronics, semiconductors, photovoltaics, and lasers. I'm most biased towards sticking with lasers.

I think mostly I'd rather be in a F/FP culture and out of the hard-core INTJ ones I've been in for years. If that means giving up most of my education and training to get there, well I'm becoming more open to that everyday.

It's not directly medical, as in working in a hospital, but if I could do biotech, lasers in biotech, or medical devices that would probably be dandy as well.

 

[Usehername]

Thanks for the feedback, especially about the medical technologist positions, because that was the first and most obvious jump I saw.

In case it matters, my training is in math, physics, EE, and MatSci, primarily focusing on optoelectronics, semiconductors, photovoltaics, and lasers. I'm most biased towards sticking with lasers.

I think mostly I'd rather be in a F/FP culture and out of the hard-core INTJ ones I've been in for years. If that means giving up most of my education and training to get there, well I'm becoming more open to that everyday.

It's not directly medical, as in working in a hospital, but if I could do biotech, lasers in biotech, or medical devices that would probably be dandy as well.

What about biomechanics? Any way to leverage your skills in that domain? My now-2nd yr engineering student younger INFP bro is planning on doing this--following one of my ISFP friends. (I just noticed the Fi dom pattern here.)

 

[Scott N Denver]

What about biomechanics? Any way to leverage your skills in that domain? My now-2nd yr engineering student younger INFP bro is planning on doing this--following one of my ISFP friends. (I just noticed the Fi dom pattern here.)

I've always seen that as a MechE topic. An old roommate of mine did that, but I don't have that kind of training. NOt directly anyways, if its a "on the job training running some computer program" I could pick that up.

Hmm, apparently physicians assistant (PA) training takes 2 years, much less than many other programs [med school, pharmacy school, etc]

I keep seeing "audiologist" as a good career for NFP's. Physical therapy, is that a 4-yr program??? I'll go check. Hmm, I'm seeing 3 years from UC-Denver.

 

[Usehername]

I've always seen that as a MechE topic. An old roommate of mine did that, but I don't have that kind of training. NOt directly anyways, if its a "on the job training running some computer program" I could pick that up.

Hmm, apparently physicians assistant (PA) training takes 2 years, much less than many other programs [med school, pharmacy school, etc]

I keep seeing "audiologist" as a good career for NFP's. Physical therapy, is that a 4-yr program??? I'll go check. Hmm, I'm seeing 3 years from UC-Denver.

Nodding to my TJ hat:

Even if you're totally unqualified, if it is the sort of water over which you think you may be able to bridge at some point down the bank, convince them to hire you and train you. Most (competent) people with awesome jobs disregarded the job description new hire expectations and just convinced people to hire them and let them problem solve and bridge on their own.

And in fields like technological medicine or engineering the overwhelming majority of people were trained in a completely different subfield than the one they were hired in. Truly.

Since you've got nothing to lose, even though they are vaguely related, read the wisdom behind her words since i like her thoughts on careers (and you can read your way through the possibilities by reading other links):

How to beat the system to get a great job | Penelope Trunk's Brazen Careerist
How to sidestep office hierarchy to get the job you want | Penelope Trunk's Brazen Careerist

 

[Scott N Denver]

take THIS needing certification:

Medical Technologist or Medical Lab Tech
Department: Laboratory
Schedule: Per-diem
Shift: Various shifts
Hours: all shifts
Job Details:

*

Position Summary

Performs routine and special diagnostic procedures. Serves as general lab supervisor in the absence of an onsite supervisor or manager. May instruct MT and MLT students.

Job Qualifications

Education or Formal Training

1. Associate degree from a Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA) MLT program, or

2. Associate degree in chemistry, biology, or physics and five years experience in a medical laboratory area, or

3. Associate degree in chemistry, biology, or physics and completion of a military laboratory training program of at least 12 months duration, or

4. Associate degree in chemistry, biology, or physics and CLA registry, or

5. B.S. or B.A. degree in chemistry, biology, or physics and no experience.

Special Qualifications (licensure, registration, etc.)

Certification by a nationally recognized agency as an MLT or CLT or certification registry eligible and certified within one year of becoming eligible.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

1. Absolute integrity in the accurate performance and reporting of results

2. Reasoning ability and good independent judgment

3. Ability to work under stress - multiple demands at one time

4. Ability to organize work and meet deadlines

5. Professional discretion with patient information

6. Ability to communicate verbal and/or written effectively with other hospital personnel and with patients

7. Rigid accuracy in the identification and reporting of numbers, names, and results

8. Willingness to work any shift and/or weekends

Experience

None Specified

Materials and Equipment Directly Used

1. General Lab technical equipment

2. Computers

3. Phones

4. FAX

5. Autoclave

6. Phlebotomy equipment

7. Copy machines.



NOw I just need to see what the pay is like. I'm sure it can't be much...

Ok, according to Health Careers Spotlight - Medical Laboratory Technician its either 26-41k$ or 42-59k$ depending on whether technician or technologist

 

[eagleseven]

If you go the med-tech route, realize that there are very specific certification procedures, regulated by the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

To become a medical lab tech (MLT), you need:
*A two-year MLT degree.
*Six months of clinincal lab internship.
*A passing grade on the ASCP MLT exam.

To become a medical laboratory scientist (MLS), you need:
*A four year degree in biological science (with full pre-medical course requirements)
*A one-year NAACLS-accredited MLS program (with clinical rotations).
*A passing grade on the ASCP MLS exam.


I begin my NAACLS-MLS course in two months (after working in research for two years). The competition to get into NAACLS-MLS schools is intense, and my program had a 13% acceptance rate.

---

If an employer will hire you without certification, they will stipulate that you must become certified in a certain length of time. Certain states do not even allow uncertified techs in the lab.

 

[Scott N Denver]

If you go the med-tech route, realize that there are very specific certification procedures, regulated by the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

To become a medical lab tech (MLT), you need:
*A two-year MLT degree.
*Six months of clinincal lab internship.
*A passing grade on the ASCP MLT exam.

To become a medical laboratory scientist (MLS), you need:
*A four year degree in biological science (with full pre-medical course requirements)
*A one-year NAACLS-accredited MLS program (with clinical rotations).
*A passing grade on the ASCP MLS exam.


I begin my NAACLS-MLS course in two months (after working in research for two years). The competition to get into NAACLS-MLS schools is intense, and my program had a 13% acceptance rate.

---

If an employer will hire you without certification, they will stipulate that you must become certified in a certain length of time. Certain states do not even allow uncertified techs in the lab.

They list 12 months to get the certification. I have a BS in math and physics and a MS in physics. I've spent every work-day of my life for almost the last 4 years operating technical equipment, such as a class 4 laser or ultra-high vacuum systems.

 

[eagleseven]

They list 12 months to get the certification.

Then they are assuming that you have already completed a NAACLS-MLS program and the prerequisites. Many people study for the ASCP certification exam for a few months, before taking it.

Or, they want you to take the AMT certification. The AMT, a rival to the ASCP, is being phased out. The hospitals that still employ AMT techs pay very little. Further, the ASCP is exam is required for licensure in states like New York and California.

I have a BS in math and physics and a MS in physics. I've spent every work-day of my life for almost the last 4 years operating technical equipment, such as a class 4 laser or ultra-high vacuum systems.

Unfortunately, unrelated coursework will be ignored. Your previous experience will help you get into a NAACLS program, but you cannot apply until you have completed the prerequisites:

A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university including courses in biological science (16 semester hours), chemistry (16 semester hours) and mathematics (8 semester hours) AND successful completion of a NAACLS accredited Medical Laboratory Scientist program within the last 5 years;

You can either fill in the missing prerequisites at a junior college, or start out as an MLT. Either way, you need to obtain the correct background.

---

Without certification, your pay will be seriously stunted, and many hospitals/states will not hire you.

 

[eagleseven]

If you like interacting with people, you'd be much better off becoming a Physicians Assistant (PA). It takes almost as long (two years), pays a bit better, but also costs a lot more ($80k for the program). PAs see patients everyday, while MLTs and MLSs rarely see patients.

 

[sculpting]

Scott-reconsider the medical field and instead think biotech.

My company makes equipment that is used in life science research and diagnostics.

Many of our QA and regulatory folks are former med techs. They are almost all ISTJs with an ESTJ outlier. The reason for this type inclination is that med techs do the same thing everyday-over and over and over again. They must do it exceptionally well-the results of their tests determine patient treatment and if they mess up someone could die. They are typically away from patients in a lab doing bench work. MTs are demographically a population of 40+ women and automation is rapidly replacing their jobs. There is little potential for advancement.

You would love being a PA I think, but those positions were highly competitive last I heard. (But it has been several years, that could have changed given the upcoming health care reforms.) I have now doubt you are clever enough to get into the programs but you might have to extra coursework and do so internships. Check this out though. A really odd totally out there Ne suggestion-maybe a midwife/doula? I cant help but snicker a little-but this option allows a very close interaction with people, without going to med school. I would love to do something like this myself actually. Ask aphrodite.

Have you considered becoming an Applications Specialist for an optics company? This is a nice position to transition into straight out of university as it is fairly hands on, but customer focused-yet requires the ability to interact with PhD level scientists and appear competent. Check out many of the optics companies-they may have these positions available.

Also-if you are on the west coast you might be able to jump straight into biotech for an instrument company. Check out companies like Bio-rad which manufacture their own instrumentation. Also Illumina. They may have internal engineering positions you might be qualified to move into as well, learn the trade and then move on towards more customer facing opporunities. You might also qualify for tech support positions. Tech support sounds horrible, but in biotech typically tech support is staffed by PhDs and the customers are scientists. I actually much enjoyed helping them-it gave me a sense of "service" to others that I enjoyed. There are massive numbers of small biotech companies that are start-ups where you could dive right in. There is a huge demand on the west coast for bio-tech employees and given that there are so many opportunities, the workers can be quite choosy thus the employers must be accomodating.

Another option-can you find an internship at one of the above biotech companies? The often offer paid internships, not well paying, but to allow you to build experience in the industry, even if they will not hire you right out of school.

Also-you may consider spending another six months doing short term work in a biochemistry lab at the university-this experience will allow you to build experience as well.

Another thought-can you do some work in an fMRI lab on campus? I honestly know very little about jobs in hospitals but in research you might be an ideal fit for this sort of position and really enjoy the focus of the research-typically psychological.

Sorry, I hope some of that was of some use. It is a total Ne dump. Hugs!

 

[Scott N Denver]

Then they are assuming that you have already completed a NAACLS-MLS program and the prerequisites. Many people study for the ASCP certification exam for a few months, before taking it.

Or, they want you to take the AMT certification. The AMT, a rival to the ASCP, is being phased out. The hospitals that still employ AMT techs pay very little. Further, the ASCP is exam is required for licensure in states like New York and California.


Unfortunately, unrelated coursework will be ignored. Your previous experience will help you get into a NAACLS program, but you cannot apply until you have completed the prerequisites:

A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university including courses in biological science (16 semester hours), chemistry (16 semester hours) and mathematics (8 semester hours) AND successful completion of a NAACLS accredited Medical Laboratory Scientist program within the last 5 years;

You can either fill in the missing prerequisites at a junior college, or start out as an MLT. Either way, you need to obtain the correct background.

---

Without certification, your pay will be seriously stunted, and many hospitals/states will not hire you.

Everything you say may very well be true, I don't know yet. I'm still very early on in the investigation stages, and I will have to ask the specific hospital in question about these things. Colorado tends to more lax than most states about most things, that may help me out here...


what about medical imaging with lasers, and medical OCT [optical coherence tomography]??? Does the first actually exist in hospitals yet, and who job title actually does the second?

 

[Scott N Denver]

If you like interacting with people, you'd be much better off becoming a Physicians Assistant (PA). It takes almost as long (two years), pays a bit better, but also costs a lot more ($80k for the program). PAs see patients everyday, while MLTs and MLSs rarely see patients.

A good point. My older coworker mentioned that if he were my age, he'd go medical instead of tech ["tech pays well, but doesn't give one shit about you, they'll drop you the moment they no longer have a use for you, but while they do have a use for you they generally pay quite well"]. Fwiw, said coworker said I'd make a very good doctor

I'd prefer not to go back to school though, I already spent 10.5 yrs in college.


I'm back and forth about wanting to deal directly with patients or not. I liek dealing with people, but given that people are their to see you cuz there in bad situations, I'm okay with working "behind the scenes". To a decent extent, I enjoy working with equipment, and can do well in SJ environments.
I think this could be a foot in the door, and then I could go from there. It'd be in a city I like, and let me live in a nearby, cheaper, town. I thought this link was very interesting, Health Careers Spotlight - Medical Laboratory Technician, the bottom part is interviewing a guy in the field about his work, I liked all of his answers.

Scott-reconsider the medical field and instead think biotech.

My company makes equipment that is used in life science research and diagnostics.

Many of our QA and regulatory folks are former med techs. They are almost all ISTJs with an ESTJ outlier. The reason for this type inclination is that med techs do the same thing everyday-over and over and over again. They must do it exceptionally well-the results of their tests determine patient treatment and if they mess up someone could die. They are typically away from patients in a lab doing bench work. MTs are demographically a population of 40+ women and automation is rapidly replacing their jobs. There is little potential for advancement.

You would love being a PA I think, but those positions were highly competitive last I heard. (But it has been several years, that could have changed given the upcoming health care reforms.) I have now doubt you are clever enough to get into the programs but you might have to extra coursework and do so internships. Check this out though. A really odd totally out there Ne suggestion-maybe a midwife/doula? I cant help but snicker a little-but this option allows a very close interaction with people, without going to med school. I would love to do something like this myself actually. Ask aphrodite.

Have you considered becoming an Applications Specialist for an optics company? This is a nice position to transition into straight out of university as it is fairly hands on, but customer focused-yet requires the ability to interact with PhD level scientists and appear competent. Check out many of the optics companies-they may have these positions available.

Also-if you are on the west coast you might be able to jump straight into biotech for an instrument company. Check out companies like Bio-rad which manufacture their own instrumentation. Also Illumina. They may have internal engineering positions you might be qualified to move into as well, learn the trade and then move on towards more customer facing opporunities. You might also qualify for tech support positions. Tech support sounds horrible, but in biotech typically tech support is staffed by PhDs and the customers are scientists. I actually much enjoyed helping them-it gave me a sense of "service" to others that I enjoyed. There are massive numbers of small biotech companies that are start-ups where you could dive right in. There is a huge demand on the west coast for bio-tech employees and given that there are so many opportunities, the workers can be quite choosy thus the employers must be accomodating.

Another option-can you find an internship at one of the above biotech companies? The often offer paid internships, not well paying, but to allow you to build experience in the industry, even if they will not hire you right out of school.

Also-you may consider spending another six months doing short term work in a biochemistry lab at the university-this experience will allow you to build experience as well.

Another thought-can you do some work in an fMRI lab on campus? I honestly know very little about jobs in hospitals but in research you might be an ideal fit for this sort of position and really enjoy the focus of the research-typically psychological.

Sorry, I hope some of that was of some use. It is a total Ne dump. Hugs!

Thanks Orobas. Yes, I'm open to biotech too. Boulder has quite abit of it. One of my friends works for a biotech company and regularly trying to recruit me to work with him. At the time I wanted to be where I am [employer-wise], but times have changed...

As mentioned above, I was in school for quite some time, but I've been out of it for like 2.5 yrs now, so I'm not currently in school.

When you say West Coast do you mostly mean California, or California+Portland+seattle? I'm potentially open to moving, but would rather stay here in Co. Are there any biotech companies in Denver, Boulder, Ft. Collins etc that you know of that you'd recommend I'd check out?

One thought about staying in high tech companies: I've spent more than enough time working with or for PhD physicists, and want nothing to do with that. Laser applications would be awesome, but involved detailed nuts and bolts of how one makes lasers or designing crazy-involved laser imaging systems, I don't think so.

 

[eagleseven]

Everything you say may very well be true, I don't know yet. I'm still very early on in the investigation stages, and I will have to ask the specific hospital in question about these things. Colorado tends to more lax than most states about most things, that may help me out here...


what about medical imaging with lasers, and medical OCT [optical coherence tomography]??? Does the first actually exist in hospitals yet, and who job title actually does the second?

Most imaging technologies have a specifically-trained tech. There are X-Ray techs, CT techs, etc.

With your background, you could likely help in the development of such technologies in industry, but you would need specific certifications to use them in a hospital.

It might seem redundant, but that's just how the system works.

A good point. My older coworker mentioned that if he were my age, he'd go medical instead of tech ["tech pays well, but doesn't give one shit about you, they'll drop you the moment they no longer have a use for you, but while they do have a use for you they generally pay quite well"]. Fwiw, said coworker said I'd make a very good doctor

I'd prefer not to go back to school though, I already spent 10.5 yrs in college.

I don't blame you...part of the draw to the MLS, for me, is that I can utilize my undergraduate education (microbiology) without spending 7 years getting a PhD.

At least in the near future (10+ years), there will be an increasing shortage of certified techs, so you won't need to fear recession.

I'm back and forth about wanting to deal directly with patients or not. I liek dealing with people, but given that people are their to see you cuz there in bad situations, I'm okay with working "behind the scenes". To a decent extent, I enjoy working with equipment, and can do well in SJ environments.

The way I see it, the majority of patients a doctor sees will not be in good moods, and dealing with grumpy/demanding/upset people every day would exhaust me.

Tissue samples don't talk back.

I think this could be a foot in the door, and then I could go from there. It'd be in a city I like, and let me live in a nearby, cheaper, town. I thought this link was very interesting, Health Careers Spotlight - Medical Laboratory Technician, the bottom part is interviewing a guy in the field about his work, I liked all of his answers.

It is an excellent stepping stone into healthcare-related fields, and in the long-term, I intend to use it as such. Demonstrating the precision, accuracy, and judgment necessary to release life-or-death test results daily is valuable in the market.

I'm hoping, in the long-term, to work my way into Hospital Administration or Epidemiology, with the help of a MBA or MS.