the weekly source for radiology professionals

First Post

In what kind of setting do you practice?
Now, that I've been out of the clinical setting for 8 years, I must say there will probably always be a part of me that will miss everything that goes along with it. But, I also must say, that at this point, I cannot imagine doing anything but managing the staffing company. It has been extremely rewarding, challenging and fun!

What are your greatest professional accomplishments thus far?
Some of my greatest accomplishments to date would have to be motherhood, I have a 4 year old daughter named Madelyn who is my world! But professionally speaking, growing the business from a local staffing firm in the DC area to one that is nationwide has been a lot of hard work.

Comments
congrats :)
# Posted By Connie Lutes | 4/3/08 9:58 AM
Thank you so much for sharing!!! I have been looking into traveling so I checked out your website... I graduate in June and I am not married and without kids...so I have been exploring a lot of options. It is nice to see a site that is just dedicated to imaging. My question is--is there much demand for diagnostic x-ray techs?
# Posted By Cheyanne | 4/5/08 10:19 AM
Julie, its nice to see you here,my first time blogging..for anyone reading this : XRAYZ4U has a terrific staff and they do everything possible to make an assignment go smoothly. Julie and Lisa and Tasha are the best.(I don't know Fran that much, yet). Employment for radiology techs is kinda on life support at the moment...temping is only a little better. it will pick up in the next couple of months, i think,,,,i hope
# Posted By JoAnne | 4/6/08 4:50 PM
In the geographic region where I reside jobs for R.T.'s are not all that plentiful. I am currently working in the radiology department of a community hospital as a diagnostic tech. I do not expect any opportunities for advancement in the near future. However, it appears that most hospitals promote from within. Any suggestions for advancement?

My greatest accomplishment is returning to college at the age of 44 and completing both my Associate in Radiologic Technology and my B.S. in Health Care Administration while working and being a mother to my son.
# Posted By Judy | 4/6/08 7:29 PM
The demand for diagnostic x-ray seems to have been decreasing over the past 3-4 years. Travel has been the same. The modalities where we see the most demand is Ultrasound, Vascular and Echo-so long as tech is registered ARDMS.
MRI would be the 2nd. Nuclear Medicine as well as Radiation Therapy which were so hot back in the 2000-2003, has seemed to all filled up as well.
# Posted By Julie Irving | 4/7/08 9:35 AM
Congrats on your BS degree, I'm in school now to complete mine. X-ray has definitely slowed down, where Ultrasound, Echo, Vascular and MRI leading now. In terms of advancement, if you are open to relocating, with that degree and years in the field, you may be considered for mgmt in a small facility.
# Posted By Julie Irving | 4/10/08 9:46 AM
Julie,
I am definitely interested in a management position and would consider relocating. If you have any advice on achieving this goal, I would appreciate any assistance that you could offer.
# Posted By Judy | 4/17/08 8:45 PM
Judy,
Go ahead and send me out your resume so that I may call you asap regarding a mgmt position for you!

866-636-5665 fax
julie@xrayz4u.com
# Posted By Julie Irving | 4/21/08 9:58 AM
Julie,
It is nice to put a face to a voice. I have been traveling for 5 years. Yours is one of the companys that really was a pleasure to work for. Yall do a very good job of keeping people informed fo the job market. When I get ready for my next assignment I will give you a call. Again thanks for the work.

Kathie(RT)CT)(M)
# Posted By Kathie Weiler | 4/21/08 2:48 PM
Julie, it is nice to finally have a face to your voice. You have done an excellent job for us here at Medical Imaging of Fredericksburg and the Imaging Center for Women. We appreciate all of your help and look forward to continuing our relationship with your company. Thanks!
# Posted By Krista | 4/21/08 4:00 PM
I second the quote from JoAnne on 4/6. I have been in the Ultrasound field for 17 yrs and have worked with and supervised some of the temp staff from Julie's group. They have always been such dependable technologist. She and her staff do a great job making sure you get a technologist that is a great fit for your needs. I would highly recommend using her agency!!
# Posted By Sue Anne | 4/21/08 4:08 PM
I am an Echo Tech and have been traveling for almost 9 years. I love it and think it like getting for vactioning.
# Posted By Gary Hays | 4/21/08 10:45 PM
Julie is there any demand out there for an R. A. My husband went thru the RA progam at VCU and was unable to find work as an RA. He is now doing work as a Pet/CT tech, but would like to get and RA job. Have you any leads.

Thanks Kathie
# Posted By Kathie Weiler | 4/22/08 12:13 AM
Julie,
It is so nice to put a picture with a name. You have been a tremendous help to my organization with short notice and advance notice ultrasound placement. It is a pleasure to work with you and your group
# Posted By Mary J | 4/22/08 8:15 AM
Kathie,
As far as the RA program, right now I have not seen any influx of positions. The thought process for developing the program was to assist in the shortage of Radiologists, particulary in rural areas. I beleive that when we see these positions open, they will be in rural vs. cities nationwide. Good luck to both of you.
# Posted By Julie Irving | 4/22/08 8:41 AM
Gary,
I couldn't agree more!
I traveled for about 3 years prior to opening XRAYZ 4U. It was one of the best experiences of my life. You are fortunate to be in one of the modalities that is still "hot" right now, particularly if you are registered.
# Posted By Julie Irving | 4/22/08 8:44 AM
Julie, it's nice to match a face with a voice! We have spoken on the phone and I appreciate your service over the years!
# Posted By Karyn Gold | 4/22/08 1:12 PM
I agree with Kathie that it is nice to put a face with your name. I have been a travel Mammography Tech for the past 3 years. It has been such a blessing in my life, as my husband also contracts with the cellular phone industry and we have been outside the US for most of that time. We now get to spend some time together and I can work too. The next time I need a work "vacation" I'll be in touch.
# Posted By Heidi Daugherty | 4/23/08 11:45 AM
Heidi,
Thanks for the blog, and it makes me smile to hear the enthusiam you have toward our profession!
# Posted By Julie Irving | 4/23/08 11:50 AM
Julie, you really have done a great job not only as a business women, but also as a mother. You really helped me out greatly with traveling so much that I am ready to go at it again. thanks.
# Posted By Wanda S. | 4/23/08 3:25 PM
Wanda,
Thanks so much for being such a strong support, both professionally and personally.
You are such a pleasure to work with, very hardworking, caring and truly an asset to Radiology!
# Posted By Julie Irving | 4/23/08 4:37 PM
This is primarily intended for Kathie W.

Has your husband considered checking with area interventional radiologists? In some of the larger hospital systems here in southern California, radiologist groups with IR physicians seem to be recruiting increasing numbers of PAs and relying on them to do much of the consultation and preparatory work prior to procedures, especially on inpatients, while also grooming them to eventually be more autonomous in terms of procedures performed. I would think your husband's training and experience would make him even more desirable to IR groups.
# Posted By Richard Angulo | 4/28/08 8:03 PM
This all sounds very disappointing. I am to graduate in October 2008 and sit for the registry as an RT. Promises from the school that signed me on were 'shortages everywhere--no problem getting a job--great field'. Yikes. I am 50 years old and it looks like getting a job will be tough. No kids, can travel, etc... What do you suggest I do to make myself marketable? I am currently working (since January 2008) as a basic x-ray tech in a local hospital while I go to school. So, I will have experience when I graduate. I can do one more year of school if I have to before I am out of money! CT, mammo, MRI? Folks talked me out of ultrasound as per the issues with shoulder and wrist injuries (I have an old wrist injury). That is probably not a good idea for me.
Lori Bender
# Posted By Lori Bender | 4/30/08 8:31 PM
Lori,
I dont' know where in the US you are, but the job market could vary depending on where you live.
You may or may not have a hard time finding a full time job right away. I would think however that you should be able to work PRN somewhere right away.
X-ray is not nearly as saturated as US is right now. The US schools have put out so many techs in the last 2-4 years, and some of those people have still not found something!
As far as other modaltities that are hot, MRI would be the one to get training if possible!
Feel free to email your resume to me, and I'll be happy to help you any way I can. julie@xrayz4u.com
# Posted By Julie Irving | 5/1/08 7:58 AM
APEX Award ASBPE Award APEX Award ASHPE Award