Phlebotomist or Radiology Tech?

[Compassion MD]

Hi everyone,

I was a phlebotomist from 08/04 to 01/06 for about a year and 1/4 and then I worked as a laboratory assistant (researh lab) from 12/05 to present, about a year. After working in a research lab as a laboratory assistant, I realized that research is not the place for me so I am currently looking to work in the hospital again. I was offered a radiology tech job where I will most likely be filing and maybe have a few patient contacts. Also I was offered by my previous boss from phlebotomy to go back there to be a phlebotomist again (full patient contact). My question is, should I go be a Phlebotomist again or should I be a Radiology Tech? Which one will help me more on my medical application and why...? Looking for everyone's input. Thanks.

[microphage]

Originally Posted by Compassion MD

Hi everyone,

I was a phlebotomist from 08/04 to 01/06 for about a year and 1/4 and then I worked as a laboratory assistant (researh lab) from 12/05 to present, about a year. After working in a research lab as a laboratory assistant, I realized that research is not the place for me so I am currently looking to work in the hospital again. I was offered a radiology tech job where I will most likely be filing and maybe have a few patient contacts. Also I was offered by my previous boss from phlebotomy to go back there to be a phlebotomist again (full patient contact). My question is, should I go be a Phlebotomist again or should I be a Radiology Tech? Which one will help me more on my medical application and why...? Looking for everyone's input. Thanks.

i don't think either one makes a diff as they are both in the medical field but just different aspects of the medical profession. It's like saying is a radiologist less of an MD than a Family Med Doc?! (3 pages of radiologist jokes to follow this post)

Do what you enjoy.

[heart1st]

I'm surprised that a radiology tech has that little patient contact.

Where I am, in California, an xray tech (I assume this is the same?) is a 2 year program, where as I've seen phleb programs a little over 1 semester (note, CA has, I believe, the most rigorous requirements for folks to become a phleb in the US).

Now, I think there are some "radiology certs" that dental assts and similar type folks get -- is this the same thing that you are talking about as a R.T.?

If you have gone thru a 2 year program, then I'd definitely go for the RT job -- folks with RT can branch out into a lot of other cool areas -- CAT Scans, MRIs, and the like, and, as I understand it, there's a lot of demand for those folks.

There's also a lot more anatomy with RT -- and, let's see, what's the biggie course in 1st term medical schools? Gross Anatomy!

JMO,

Live JoyFully!

Judy