Geoff, you and I seem to do the same job, service and repair medical devices, and as you know there has been many job titles to cover this line of work over the years –is clinical technologist not just the latest in this continuous line?. My point is that in most departments Ive worked in it always seemed an unattainable ambition to be in any of the best paid jobs as I am not a Physicists (“Scientist”) and thus could never reach too high up the ladder in any of these departments.
I have an HND in Physics and I did sign up to the VRCT a few years ago whilst I still had the chance to get on without having to posses a degree in a scientific discipline. Now with the advent of clinical technologists being recognised as Healthcare “Scientists” and with the VRCT now insisting on a scientific degree - is the gap between us and Physicists now shrinking and we can look forward to being on a level playing field? If we are excellent, I’ll look forward to catching up financially in the not the too distant future. If not, I don’t see the point in anyone bothering at all in going down this degree qualified route (Except for their own personal ambitions) as there is still going to be this great divide financially and status wise between Physicists and clinical technologists who will in effect have the same qualifications … ie scientific/engineering degrees. Although I enjoy the work we do I would not recommend to any young person to do a scientific degree in clinical technology knowing the financial and career restrictions that will be placed in their way. Does the work we do require a scientific degree?
Personally I’m not holding out too much hope in gaining anything at all from any of these developments but I really do wonder why I have been brought under the banner of “Healthcare Scientist” when I have to describe my job title as “Technician” and get paid as a technician.
