I am to be laid off from Technical Training Position in Silicon Valley and need some advise...

8/29/02 | Shawv

[shawv]

I am a technical trainer and am about to be laid off from a silicon valley semiconductor capital equipment firm. I need some advice... I am considering going to school to learn how to do something in the medical field. I was thinking about one of the people who does sonograms, or mri's, or cat scans, or something like that. I am asking for any help as to how much those kind of jobs pay in California. What is involved in getting an education/training for these types of positions, etc. I have a A.A. degree in general education. I would also be interested in fields that teach how to work on or operate medical equipment, but don't even know where to look for either of these types of jobs or where to find info on the training that might be needed or salaries. Any help from fellow freepers would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for any help or advice that you might be able to provide.

[bankwalker]

Seems like a big winner would be something preventative in nature. I believe that the aging baby boomers would provide a vast, hungry market.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

8. Remember, working in medicine means working with sick, demanding people who are not at their best. If you do not have people skills,can stand bodily fluids, don't like being around old peple, most of medicine is not for you. Also, most medical jobs (especially entry level have lousy hours and not so great working conditions).

This is probably the most important point of all for anyone considering work in the health care field. Burnout is very high. Thanks for mentioning it.

[shawv]

Being a technical trainer already, I would be interested in training in medial equipment, but I have a feeling that you have to be a qualified/certified technologist. I have an AA degeree in general education. I am 42 so it is a bit late to start a new career, but semiconductor capital equipment (etchers) aren't exactly selling like hotcakes, so the entire industry is not hiring trainers. I have been looking at the job descriptions and nuclear medical technologists look the most promising (as far as salary and the shortage of people in that position). I was interested in the idea of starting with Kaiser and learning the job on the job. I still have to do a lot more research. I appreciate all of your comments. even the ones that pointed out my spelling mistakes. I didn't proofread my message well enough and when I re-read it I knew immediately that I used "advise" wrong in the title, but once I pushed the post button I couldn't take it back. Thanks again for all of your "advise"
(c:

[shawv]

How much, and how long is Nuclear Med. Tech. training? What kind of institutions offer the training, and is it possible to be trained "on-the-job"? I have an A.A. in general education. I am very articulate in the English language, (being a stand-up instructor). I love the idea of early hours and the less chance of working weekends. (That is what I do now).
I like interacting with people and am fairly intelligent, so I think I could pick up on the concepts that are involved with the operation of the equipment, and learning about anatomy, pharmacology and physiology.
I want to express my appreciation for everyone's time and help in my search.