Med Tech jobs in Hilo (or other hospital) (Honolulu, Waimea: 2013, rental)

[willowleaves]

Apologies for length-want to be thorough.
Hubby and I are early 60s/late 50s and are researching moving to Big Island in a year or so. I'm the planner and he is the dreamer. He is effectively retired and I still work full time as a medical technologist in a large hospital on mainland. We are stable financially, have visited Hawaii on 5 different occasions and stayed 2-3 weeks each time. We will be visiting Big Island next month on our first visit there, other than a day trip to see Volcano NP on our 1st trip to Hawaii. Our trip will be for 3 weeks and we will spend half the trip on East Side and half on the West Side. (Capt Cook and Kapoho areas) My mother is coming with us on this trip. We mentioned to her a few weeks back about our desire to move to Hawaii and that this trip is also going to be a fact-finding mission.

My one concern is finding out about jobs for medical technologists. I have 10 yrs of experience (this was a late career for me (following teaching, military service, mothering, medical transcription), and I love it. Learned about the method of securing my Hawaii State License. While I did see the post about the lay-offs of nurses, it wasn't obvious if hospitals were laying off all staff types or just nurses. Also haven't seen any job openings listed for Med Techs or MLTs (I have dual certifications through ASCP). While I would feel a bit uncomfortable doing so, I'm planning on calling the various hospitals (Hilo and Kona) and asking if I could drop by to see the lab and leave a resume. I'm not quite ready to put info out online with my real name since I don't have any idea if I would move....don't want to burn bridges here just yet. I'm still in the 50/50 range of if we can really be comfortable LIVING there. Like I said above, I'm the planner. So I'm reading these forums.

This forum is great for lots of thought-provoking information. I bought two books in March, "Your Ideal Hawaiian Move" and the companion book on buying a house. We kicked around this topic about 8 yrs ago and decided we couldn't do it...too hard to uproot everything and move. Each winter that goes by is worse than the last and we are feeling the cold even more. We've always felt better while we were in Hawaii.

Having read these forums, I'm of the opinion that I come out there when I have a job, establish a place through VRBO till I can find a rental that will take our well-behaved cats (know this is an issue), at which time hubby will get the household packed up and come on over with the cats. Have done this in the military a few times, so it's just reversed this time. I could likely go home for a week or so for the actual time, if needed, possibly. We would rent for a year or so, then pick out an area we would like to buy in and wait for a good deal to come along. Simplified timeline, but this is still in planning phase.

On the plus side:
-We have no debt.
-We own our own house, which could be kept till we are sure we are going to be staying. Either leased or left vacant with the neighbor to watch for us, possibly. If my mom comes, her house would likely be sold (she will be 79--and pretty healthy)
-We have financial stability, even without an immediate job.
-Are ready to downsize and simplify.
-Would like to work but realize that my age could keep me from getting one if they think I'm going to up and retire on them in 2 yrs or so...that's not the plan.
-Both of us are friendly types and have enjoyed our visits to Hawaii in the past. We disliked the resort experience and prefer to stay in local areas instead. On this trip we will be doing even more of the interacting with locals to get a feel for the vibe.
(likely some other entries here, but my mind is not coming up with them right now)

On the negative side:
-Both hubby and I have a few health issues; mine are pretty stable, his are less so. Two specialists we would need are rheumatology and pain mgmt, along with internist.
-We have two cats we are not going to part with (learned about the avoidance of quarantine).
-He has a lot of tools and is going to want a place with a shop or a big garage...lockable.
-He would like 2-3 acres, but I think that would be too much lawn work, though a veggie garden would be okay. We have an acre now, but have someone who mows it for us.
(again, likely some other entries here, but I can't think of them right now)

So primarily, I'm looking for any knowledge on the availability of MT, MLT jobs. Of the major hospitals on the Island, is it possible for a mainlander to get a job having just moved to the Island? Would I be treated differently not being a long-time resident of the Island? (this isn't meant to sound disrespectful, just that I've read about it in other threads.) Are there full-time doctors in rheumatology or pain management on Big Island. I've seen web pages for them, but unsure if they are full time on the island or flying over from Oahu. My first choice for a job would likely be Hilo Hospital just because all the doctors seem to have their offices over there (cuts down on the travel for appts, too). But I'm open to work wherever. Job with benefits is preferable to being retired and searching for our own health insurance.

So that's the basics. I'm sure this reads like many other posts by dreamers who want to move to sunny Hawaii (or rainy Hilo ) to escape dreary winters. If you need more info, let me know. Trying to learn and plan and wonder if it's the right decision for us. And wonder if living there would spoil the 'special' we felt each of the times we visited. Mahalo nui loa.

[hotzcatz]

I was just chatting with a fellow yesterday who swapped his big diesel lawn mower for a herd of sheep. He's had the sheep for several years now and he's really thrilled with their lawn mowing abilities. He said once a year he mowed to knock down any weeds they didn't want to eat. If your husband wanted a new business, he could start a lawn mowing service with sheep. Let Them Eat Grass - Paris If he imported the miniature Ouessant sheep to mow the lawn, he'd have a side business in breeding and selling sheep as lawn mowers since I don't think there are any of these miniatures on the island. Better sized for smaller lots.

Since you'll be in the medical field, you'll probably be able to find out which doctors are on island during your visit. You might also start on locating a job, too. A lot of jobs are never advertised but go to folks that are known or that show up in person to ask. There is also a nice hospital in Waimea, probably the nicest one on the island. I think it just got bought by Queens which is one if not the biggest hospital in the state.

Bring your resume with you and chat with the HR folks at each hospital.

[OpenD]

Coupla things occur to me...

You're into reading and researching, that's good, because I think you'll need to dig for answers for your key questions about jobs in your field and the medical specialists you require.

Keep in mind that the population of the entire island combined only equals that of a small city... about 187,000... and that there is a long standing doctor shortage here because of low pay and high cost of living. So it's not a matter of just looking at lists of doctors or facilities and saying "that's good enough", you'll need to actually make some calls to find out who is actively practicing and who is accepting new patients.

And in a similar vein... heh... hospital facilities are somewhat limited in number and in size, with smallish community hospitals having limited facilities feeding serious cases in to Hilo, with the most serious cases being sent to Honolulu. Looking at your two travel destinations, Captain Cook is nearest to Kona Community Hospital, I believe, and Kapoho is closest to... ummm... Hilo. There is a small clinic in Pahoa, maybe a dozen employees, but other than that it's something like 35 miles in to Hilo, and the only highway in and out of Lower Puna is under construction for the next couple of years, with reduced speed limits and lane restrictions and stops for equipment, so it's probably a 45 minute to an hour schlep each way.

Another book that many people have mentioned being useful is "So You Want To live In Hawaii?" It's a bit dated now, but the overall themes are still good, and the book is designed to get your feet squarely on the ground about living in Hawai'i, versus visiting Hawai'i.

Good luck!

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by willowleaves

Hubby and I are early 60s/late 50s and are researching moving to Big Island in a year or so.

Originally Posted by willowleaves

My one concern is finding out about jobs for medical technologists. I have 10 yrs of experience (this was a late career for me (following teaching, military service, mothering, medical transcription), and I love it. Learned about the method of securing my Hawaii State License. While I did see the post about the lay-offs of nurses, it wasn't obvious if hospitals were laying off all staff types or just nurses.

The odds of you finding a medical technologist job in your late 50's is not very high. It is what it is.

[willowleaves]

Thanks for the reply, hotzcatz. Might have to look up the sheep angle. He's mentioned livestock for mowing purposes. Little miniature sheep seem more interesting than some options. Definitely planning on bringing some resumes with me. Would this be too forward for the average job on the Island? Really don't want to antagonize anyone right off the bat. Waimea was one that I remembered after I sent the post. It DID seem like the nicest one...also good reviews.
Mahalo!

[willowleaves]

Originally Posted by OpenD

So it's not a matter of just looking at lists of doctors or facilities and saying "that's good enough", you'll need to actually make some calls to find out who is actively practicing and who is accepting new patients.

<snip>

Another book that many people have mentioned being useful is "So You Want To live In Hawaii?" It's a bit dated now, but the overall themes are still good, and the book is designed to get your feet squarely on the ground about living in Hawai'i, versus visiting Hawai'i.

Good luck!

Appreciate the reply, OpenD. That was on tap for the visit, also. To call the various docs and see if they were resident on the Island, accepting new patients and try to see what the time frame was from referral to appt. Of course, that could change in the year or so till we could realistically be moving. But it's a start.

I'll put that book on my 'wish list' on Amazon. On my next order, I'll get it. Trying to remember the reviews...several mentioned the datedness and others mentioned either too negative or too positive (can't remember which right now...just that it was skewed one way or the other). So I opted for the more recent edition, 2012. But if it has good info aside from that, it will be worth a look.

[willowleaves]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

The odds of you finding a medical technologist job in your late 50's is not very high. It is what it is.

This could be true. I won't be shocked if it is true, but trying to think positively. In every state in US, MT/MLTs are in short supply. How short that supply is in Hawaii, especially on Big Island, is not apparent yet. I'll know more in a couple of months, hopefully. It isn't unheard of for a person in their 50s to gain employment as an MT in my state. Thanks for your observation.

[nightlysparrow]

Just a thought: if you'd consider going back into medical transcription, most all of it is done now over the Internet.

[willowleaves]

Nightlysparrow,
I've considered that. I am woefully out of practice with my typing speed now. Accuracy (at speed), too. Med Techs type a lot, but only brief spurts. Nothing like the x-ray reports and oncology office notes I used to do. I'll keep it in mind, though. Thanks for the reply. Maybe I'll start practicing speed again. I like your screen name.

[hotzcatz]

A lot of folks are pretty creative about finding work. If you can work part time as a med tech and transcribe part time, that might add up to full time. Another thought is that there are more ways of making money than being employed. Loads of folks around here do odd things here and there for spare cash. Most folks I know have multiple income streams, too. It's kinda rare for one job to cover it.