Hello Everyone,

I am a HND college graduate in Electrical & Electronics.
I am looking at specialising in Medical Imaging Field Service (X Ray, CT or MRI)

I have been looking very hard for a training centre to train in this field but
there does not seem to be any apart from the OEM's.

I would appreciate if anyone points me in the direction of where to train in
this field as I have been rejected by GE already. Information on books to read as well
would be very helpful as I know nothing about these equipment apart from what they generally do.

I am preparing an application to Philips and I would also appreciate if anyone to
advice me on what they look for in CVs.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Cheers.

Welcome to the forum.

Are you a "hands-on" guy ... or an electronics wiz?

Hopefully both!

Anyway, why not look at one of the private equipment service companies?

Also ... if you add "ultrasound" to your list you might broaden your horizons a little.

Good Luck.

Thanks very much Geoff Hannis, I've been coming back to the forum to see if someone replied to my post but I was looking in a different forum and hadn't realized you replied.

Ive been looking for someone to just say something to me. Thanks for the advice about checking out ultrasound.

I am not an electronic whiz. All I have learnt about electronics is from fixing domestic boilers and Electronics and Electrical in college but I am keen to learn and work in this industry. I have spent 3 years in college at my own expense. Prior to that I have been driving lorries for the past 10 years and also fixing domestic boilers so yeah, I love using my hands and head to fix things. l'm even prepared to volunteer another 2 years to learn this skill.

I can thank you enough for your reply. Very much appreciated.

A lot of imaging equipment is very software driven these days so the big companies tend to look for those with PC and software experience as much as hardware. Also they can attract those from competitors and experienced guys from the forces so getting in can be very tough.

I would look at contacting the smaller players such as Carestream, Med Imaging and Xograph. Also see if your local hospital has a medical physics or medical engineering department you can approach.

Is there a reason why you are looking at medical imaging for work? It does not pay any premium and recent changes to 7 day working have not helped. I talked to a guy servicing a car park ticket machine and he was earning a lot more than most medical imaging engineers I know! He also has all the spare parts in his car (better than most provided by the medical companies) so had less stress!

Mike has made some good points. I was also wondering why you had decided upon medical imaging field service work.

Other than that, as you have already identified, to get into medical imaging tech support you really need to get some manufacturers' training under your belt.

For me, one of the appealing things about "medical equipment" in general has always been its technical diversity. So what about "general" biomed work (tech support of medical equipment); does that hold any attraction?

If so, it might be worthwhile approaching companies providing tech services to the NHS. The likes of BCAS, EBME, TBS et al. Although they will always be keen to hear from techs who can "hit the ground running" (as it were), they may also be able to accommodate someone still on the "nursery slopes" (that is, as a trainee).

Otherwise, and in any case, why not have a word with Rob* and (or) Ed.

For ultrasound, you could try MIUS.

Lastly, in order to get your foot in the door, it might be worth touching base with the well known agencies** who place techs on short-term (temporary) "bookings" - usually in hospital biomed departments. If you are really keen to learn, and are mobile (willing to work anywhere for a while; although most placements tend to be in London or the Home Counties, some also crop up in the Midlands, and in large cities like Manchester), this can be a way of gaining a fair amount of experience over a short(ish) period of time.

"Volunteer"? There's always plenty of work that needs doing in the Charity Sector! That's also a good way of proving to yourself (if nobody else) that "medical equipment" is really what you want to be involved in!

* Avensys can also help you out with training. In your area, too!
** I have sent you a Private Message.

Mikex, Thanks for the companies you suggested. I'll check them out. I also intend sending CVs to the top 10 Imaging companies in the UK.

Why I choose this path is because I want to be highly skilled and also have an internationally recognized skill. I believe with the right training I would be able to overcome the issues and stress that I often read about in this field. The only software experience I have is programming PLCs and carrying out simulations. Yes I consider myself reasonably good with may hands.

Packaging machinery service engineer is another field service engineer is another area I might consider if this one does not go well but I also do realize you have to travel globally sometimes as opposed to medical engineer who may travel within a country or occasionally abroad. Gate automation, ticketing machinery is another area I may consider. But the ticketing machine guy must be making more than £60,000 per year including overtime. Medical field service engineers are on about the same aren't they?.

Are there any areas you can suggest for a HND Electrical and Electronics guy like me? I have considered multi skilled service engineer but I don't like going to work in the same place day after day or for years. I'll be bored. The job I do has to be travelling from place to place.

You guys are making me nervous.

Hello Geoff.
Thanks again for you response. I really appreciate this as I am now getting a sense of the what I have to deal with and the information you are providing is invaluable. I have also considred Gas turbines (used on Oil Rigs) but the climate now is not right given that we are trying to wean ourselves off oil so not a good idea in the long term. With the OEMs, GE has already rejected me and I'm trying to update my CV and send them to all the leading manufacturers in the UK. I also realize the training they offer are tailored for engineers that are already working in the industry or 2nd tear training for hospital Med engineers (which I'm not).

I rung Avensys about 2 months ago and I was told someone was going to call me back. I think I have to ring them back. I do realize again the training they offer is as described above not for rookies like me.

You have also suggested tech support of bio- medical work and ill google it to see what I can do. I'll also try the companies you stated.

The names you stated in the private message you sent me, are they on this site?

Your suggestions have very helpful.
Your volunteering answer is very funny. I do always ask myself if I am making the right career choice and I hope I am doing so but I'm getting nervous as well. I do understand the medical equipment I am trying to get into are complex and very expensive. I'm in my late thirties and this is my last chance to make the right call.

Appreciate your reply.
Thanks again

You may be surprised to know most medical imaging engineers don't even fall into the 40% tax bracket! Typically an experienced engineer (that is one with at least 5 years field experience in another company) can expect to enter the top companies at between 28K and 32K. Due to new contracts, to cover 8 while 8 for 7 days, the opportunity for overtime is diminished. This would typically amount to between 1K to 4K with maybe a possible bonus, if offered, of 2K.

Only third party companies offer more but to join them, at salaries £5K to 20K higher, you would need to be fully trained in imaging modalities for at least 5 years.

The guy in the car park was earning 45K and only worked 5 days a week 9 to 5!

So those salaries advertised by TRS consulting are not realistic then?.
When I look at North America, The MOST experienced MED Imaging engineers are on about an equivalent of 90K pounds.

If they are not realistic, then it wont be a good idea for me to pursue this career path as I'm already on more than you stated driving lorries albeit working an average of 60 hours. I don't want to earn less.

It's good to have this information from the likes of you. At least I can make an informed decision and not waste my time.

More info from guys working in the industry would be very helpful.

Appreciate your response.
Cheers!!

Well, there may be a handful of individuals who get near the £60K figure but these are the top engineers poached from the big 3. Those who are on this also know they have to travel the whole UK (and sometimes beyond) and the job may only last for 10 years maximum, as by then there knowledge is exhausted (no training courses for new products) or they are burnt out.

I know of individuals who went to the USA and got about £60K but a lot have now returned due to job cuts and overwork.

In general the salaries are no better than a lot of other field jobs so the £35K mark is a more likely figure you can expect. Sorry if this shatters your illusions of the med imaging business!

Haha.
It's good to know. Philips was advertising for trainee engineers and offering 45k. All they needed was the applicant to be qualified to HND or degree level. I did't apply for it at the time because I was still in college.

I currently earn significantly earn more than that doing what I'm doing now. It takes me about 6 minutes to get to work (yes SIX minutes or at most 15 minutes depending on which site i work from). I even have mates on close to 60K ( and they come home everyday). But I also have to consider my current job may not always be aroundf for the foreseeable future. It is one of the best and easy paid jobs in the country. My current job is really easy and stress free. Sometimes I do nothing whole day. It can be boring but it was good for my college because I use the idle time to learn college stuff. But I really don't want to remain doing my current job. I may have to switch to alternatives outside MED Imaging like automation or packaging machinery.

You've been an eye opener.

ANY MEDICAL IMAGING ENGINEERS PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO THIS DISCUSSION.
Cheers.

Haha.
It's good to know. Philips was advertising for trainee engineers and offering 45k. All they needed was the applicant to be qualified to HND or degree level. I did't apply for it at the time because I was still in college.

I currently earn significantly earn more than that doing what I'm doing now. It takes me about 6 minutes to get to work (yes SIX minutes or at most 15 minutes depending on which site i work from). I even have mates on close to 60K ( and they come home everyday). But I also have to consider my current job may not always be aroundf for the foreseeable future. It is one of the best and easy paid jobs in the country. My current job is really easy and stress free. Sometimes I do nothing whole day. It can be boring but it was good for my college because I use the idle time to learn college stuff. But I really don't want to remain doing my current job. I may have to switch to alternatives outside MED Imaging like automation or packaging machinery.

You've been an eye opener.

ANY MEDICAL IMAGING ENGINEERS PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO THIS DISCUSSION.
Cheers.

No - not at the moment.

Having waded through your recent posts, it seems to me that you might be going through some kind of "mid-life crisis"! If so, hang-in there (you are not alone)!

As I have advized many others who have come on here over the years:- you need to sit down and really ask yourself what it is you're trying to do.

Frankly, it sounds to me that "medical equipment" may not be the answer in your case. In short, you need to want to do that, or else it's a non-starter (meaning that you'll never be happy with all the associated "down-sides" - of which there are a few).

If it's "money" that's you're after, then you're probably looking under the wrong tree anyway. But, having said that, to use that tired old phrase:- there's more to life than money!

Why not stick to being a multi-skilled service engineer (and be proud of it)? There's nowt wrong with that.

Anyway, from what you're saying, it sounds like you've already "Got it Made in the Shade"!

Let me guess:- you're in the Royal Air Force.

Hahaa!! Royal Air Force? Is their job that easy?. I better go and join them.

I'm not in the forces. I'm a truck driver for a major logistics company supplying automotive parts to a major automotive factory. It pays very well but I fear it will come to an end given that a new factory is now up and running in China and another one is set to start running in Brazil. There aren't jobs that pay as close to this one anywhere else I know or have heard of. So you can understand why I put myself through 3 yrs of college to prepare myself for the worse.

Money is a factor but the type of skill as well that can be applied worldwide is more important to me. I like repairing things and like to see things working so this is a job I think I would enjoy doing but also I don't want a pay cut.

Appreciate your reply.
Funny!!

Your fears are well founded. In fact I'm surprised that your job hasn't already gone to one of our "friends" from the EU or farther afield.

As I mentioned earlier, you need to come up with a plan that suits you, and then follow it through. In other words, follow your dream.

You might have to think again about your "pay cut" comments, though.

Meanwhile, although I have been involved with the technical support of medical equipment myself for over forty years (sometimes directly, sometimes obliquely, but latterly rather more remotely), I frankly would not recommend it as a career path for anyone who has the inclinations of a "hands-on techie" (aka geek).

Not these days - meaning it was OK back then when we were appreciated (tolerated is probably a better word) because we were needed to actually fix the new-fangled (as it was then) kit!

In case you're wondering, my own story is that I was "rail-roaded" into the "trade" whilst serving in the armed forces, and lacked the wits to get out of it as soon as I realised the realities of the "profession"! If I had my time again (I wish), I would have stuck to weapons systems, computers, and other more rewarding technologies (and adventurous pursuits). Oh well, never mind.

Go West, Young Man!

I'm at work the moment and able to find the time to post all these messages. The easiest job I've ever done in my life. I've been at work since
5 AM. I've only worked about 3 hours.

Are there any Electrical or Electronics roles you could suggest?
I've been browsing whole day but nothing interesting to match my appetite.

Appetite? Well, I'm just off for a couple of egg banjos myself.

Suggestions? Well, as already hinted at, from what you've told us I would say you may be ideally suited to a second career based in one of those large aircraft hangers* sometimes found in the flatter areas of the UK.

Meanwhile, it sounds like you may have the time to check out some of the earlier threads that have touched on the stuff we've been discussing. This one, for instance.

And, who knows, you might even find the inspiration you seek somewhere amid this this little lot!

* I believe there are still a few left (operational ones, I mean, rather than those just left derelict).