Out of Practice Radiology Tech, Will I Ever Get Hired? (license, apply)

[lizmyer]

Hey all!

Here's the lowdown,
I graduated from RT school in 2005, took my boards and passed them, did very well in school. I worked for 3 months before moving to Iowa City to go to Radiation Therapy school. I hated it. I couldn't stand it there, got really depressed and had to move back home. By the time I got back, my license was no longer current. In the state of Iowa, when you aren't current, you have to take remedial coursework. Needless to say, I gave it up for lost. It it now 2008, I now live in Colorado, which does not require state licensing. They say as long as I have passed my board exam in any state, I should be find to practice (of course I want to retake it here in Colorado to refresh my memory and make sure I do a good job.)

My question is, would anyone hire me with a 3 year gap and only 3 mo of experience? Is it even worth it to take my boards here and try to find a job, or should I just go to school for something else? It kills me not to use the schooling I've paid for and the work that I really liked.

Has anyone else dealt with this before? Thanks in advance!

[nebulous1]

Since I work in another modality, here is my take if you want it...try to find a place that needs someone, sell yourself well, and tell the truth. It is amazing, but they get so many people puffing themselves up and overselling, that if you are honest, it blows them away. I don't mean to put yourself down but sell yourself and tell them what has been going on, and that you want to go back to work.
Ask if you can work and if they will give you time to retake your boards.
Most places give a year to become registered, but some want it right away.

I think the more you discuss about the job and how you can help them, the more they will be interested in you. The job market is tight, but you might find work doing PRN work or being a pool tech.
I would use the internet and make calls and see if there is work out there. A lot of recruiters want your resume, making you think there are a lot of hidden jobs they have, so tell them do NOT send your resume out unless they call you first. Some take your resume and flood an entire city or state, and then if you go to that hospital and apply for job, the hospital would have to pay them a fee for you, because they got you resume first thru the agency.
I have worked with agencies, I just let them know I do not want them to do that.

[ReturningWest]

Check and see if there is any kind of refresher course you can take that will help you up date. Re-taking the boards might not be what your looking for.

I was a nurse for quite some time but my licence lapsed because I was no longer working as a nurse. Now with the economy in the toilet I look into getting a refresher course and I can't in this state, I would have to take the whole program over...not gonna happen.

I will say this, even if you only pick up a few shifts a month to keep your licence active it's worth it.

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by nebulous1

Since I work in another modality, here is my take if you want it...try to find a place that needs someone, sell yourself well, and tell the truth. It is amazing, but they get so many people puffing themselves up and overselling, that if you are honest, it blows them away. I don't mean to put yourself down but sell yourself and tell them what has been going on, and that you want to go back to work.

There's a good middle ground between being "puffed up" / overselling and telling too much truth about being depressed before. I can guarantee you that telling the whole truth in this situation will work against the OP.

Explain what you were doing in a more positive way. Were you doing volunteer work? Exploring a career change before you realized that you really love RT? Taking classes? Taking care of a sick family member? Traveling?

Find something you can say that won't scare the potential employer. And emphasize all the ways you will do a good job with your next employer...focus on what you have to contribute. If you don't seem defensive and apologetic, you won't get as much grilling about the gap.