Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

Has anyone had any experience of this job - basically a radiologist.

I'm trying to set myself up for a career and am considering BHSMI. I'm considering this as I like the idea of being able to have the option of working in different locations if need's must.

After much investigation I have found out what I would have to do to get this gig.

As I don't have any A Levels I don't meet the entry requirements for the Bachelor course - sooo........I would have to complete a certificate of applied science (AUT) which includes the following -

WHAT THIS QUALIFICATION COVERS

* Ecology and evolution
* Foundation biology
* Foundation biophysics
* Foundation chemistry
* Foundation human anatomy and physiology
* Mathematical skills
* Microbiology
* Scientific communication
* Statistical skills

This course takes one year. Then I'd have to apply for 1 of the 40 places on the BHSMI course at Unitec Henderson in Feb 2012. This year there were 360 applicants for those places so again there is no guarantee on getting in.

It;d be a long slog but is it worth it? Has anyone any experience of it all? I'd be interested in hearing about it.

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

I looked at doing this once myself. It's a good job with good prospects, although depending on where you want to live there may not be a job available in your area when you qualify. If you're heading for a city you should be OK I'd think. It is a 3 year course though, I seem to remember.

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

Can you ask for a form of discretionary entrance? My local polytech has no achademic requirements for those over 20 years of age on this program so it would only take you 3 years to complete (Though it’s Bachelor of Applied Science – Medical Imaging Technology). Incidentally if it’s level 3 NCEA they are looking for they will accept high grade GCSEs at a push.

Good luck, work diligently :).

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

when you say local poly - where do you mean? At Auckland Unitech, they've made it very clear as to the minimum entry requirements which AUTs certificate of applied science would cover.

It just means I'd have to do this from July this year and then would have to apply for the BHSMI(medical imaging) course by sept 2011 for the Feb 2012 course


......seems a long time away. Hope you can expand on your initial info - cheers

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

Sure, the degree is run at UCOL, Palmerston North.

Linky to PDF: http://www.ucol.ac.nz/Lists/Programm...%20MIT_web.pdf

The entry requirements are listed on the second page down, left hand side, second half of the page. Does that help?

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

cheers for that - i rang em up and their criteria is identical to Unitec auckland. Without a medical background they wouldnt take much notice unless you have done a 1 year course along the lines of the certificate of applied science. My wife has a friend who had to do a similiar thing in christchurch.

Thanks for the info anyway.

Is there is anyone on here who is working as an MRT?

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

Hello
Quick correction... it's not a radiologist it's a radiographer. (The radiographer is the doctor who does the diagnosing etc from the images taken by the radiographer).

There seems to be quite a demand for Medical Radiation Technicans (MRT's) as they are know in NZ. You can specialise in various techniques, e.g. MRI, sonography, x-ray, CT etc Think there is a big nuclear medicine department at Waikato hospital.

Good luck with your studies. I can appricate how frustrating things have been for you. Hubby Robert has studied nursing since we came to NZ and has specialised in mental health. A complete change for him,. but he's really loved it. In fact, how about nursing? get some experience as a carer to support your application and the career choices are endless once you graduate.

Good luck
Gill

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

I agree with the above.

I am a qualified mental health social worker, which I have enjoyed for a number of years but I now feel that I would like a career change, so after much thought I have today posted to Unitec my application form to enrole for the 3yr Bachelor of Nursing at the Waitakere Campus, and with a bit of luck I will get onto the course.:fingerscrossed:

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

When I was studying, I know there were jobs around for MI, the bonus is that it is a life long career with little risk of redundancy once employed and a portable career you can take to other countries, I think 40% of graduating students went to Ozzie for an instant 20K pay rise

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

I think you meant the radiologist. Yup, to be a radiologist you need a medical degree plus specialist training in radiology.

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

Thanks for the correction. I meant it's the RADIOLOGIST who is the DOCTOR and the RADIOGRAPHER is the once who takes the images.
Gill

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

Guess what I found when I did a google search on Unitec and BHSMI? This page !!:rofl:

A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since I was investigating this career choice.

I decided to do 2 papers with AUT - 1) Foundation Human Anatomy and Physiology Level 4 and 2) Maths Level 3 - both are equivalent to A level standard

I also applied for the BHSMI course at Unitec for Feb 2012. I knew it would be touch and go as i'd be entering under the minimum entry criteria. I only have 8 GCSEs ( 2 x Bs and 4 Cs, with 2 Ds) but found out that GCSE is equivalent to Level 2 standard. ( http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rd...6Education.pdf - page 12 )

Approx 500 people applied for the 42 places next year. 150 were selected for interview and I received an invite for interview before I received my AUT results (so was chuffed at that. I got an A for anatomy ;) and A+ for Maths)

I called Unitec on friday (as I couldnt stand to wait over the weekend) and the lady who spoke to me had only just entered my details into their system for an offer of place.


Woohoo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:thumbsup: so from March 7th Ill be a Full-time student for 3 years :eek:


I had a bad hangover this weekend too .....:o

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

Hi, was a radiographer,as we were called then, many moons ago. Trained in NZ when we did the London exams - sat in March and had to wait till the papers went to London for marking and didn't find out results till about July. Talk about nail biting!
Any hospital based job is good for moving around, in my day everyone rushed off for their OE with their new transferable qualification.
The job market waxes and wanes but there is often a shortage in NZ - way back when I did it we had to do night duties even before we were fully qualified because there was such a shortage. However, not sure that would be allowed nowadays. Think it isn't marketed enough as a career.
I did it for about 10 years (Auckland,London and Melbourne) till I had my children. NZ trained radiographers were very well thought of overseas. In fact, I rang about a job in Melbourne and was asked to start on the Monday. I asked didn't she want to see me but she said if I had been trained in Auckland that was fine.
Consider doing the therapy option (cancer treatment) as there are always jobs in that area. Also don't think there is much shift work and might pay slightly more.
I really loved it , especially A&E work, but sometimes I wanted to ignore the drunks rather than tend to them. Fortunately, professionalism prevailed!
Good luck, enjoy.
Pleased you have found a way to stay in NZ.
PS Have you seen this site
http://www.careers.govt.nz/default.a...103&id1=J35135
http://www.careers.govt.nz/default.a...103&id1=J35135

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

Congratulations.... quick question.. are you starting 2011 or 2012?

Gill

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

2011 March 7 - why?

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

Sorry, just a bit confused, thought you were applying for 2012.
Anyway........... well done.

Gill

Re: Parking ticket advice please
 

Hi zaras dad,

So sorry to hear your experience. I must be careful next time then as I often go to the mall for more than 1 hour without purchasing anything. It happened to my friend, she parked in the mall and went straight across the street to buy something then she went back to the mall to do her grocery shopping. When she returned to her car she found a ticket. She appealed and got asked for proof of receipts but she didn't keep the receipt so she went back to the mall and asked a print out of her receipt. Few weeks later she received another letter from the parking ticket company saying that she didn't have to pay for it. Thank god :)

So maybe just try to go to one of the shops in the mall and ask for a receipt it might work :)

By the way i read your older post in 2010 but the thread already closed and I could not reply. Here it is http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=664742

I assume you are still doing your radiography course at unitec or finishing? I just applied for the medical imaging programme and anxiously waiting to be selected for an interview. I've already done a degree in nursing for two and a half years however i realized that nursing is not for me so I decided to change my programme to medical imaging at unitec. I have already done Anatomy and physiology (level4, 5 & 6) I've also done some professional course that involves learning about communication, caring, treaty of waitangi and etc.. which I believe they are quite similar to radiography course. Unitec might be able to cross credit some of my papers. But i definitely have to do the imaging science, radiation, physics and etc that involves in medical imaging.

Anyway, if you don't mind sharing your experiences with me that would be very helpful. Here are the following questions:

1) What was the interview like, was it hard? Was the interview quite formal like going for a job interview? Did it involve writing as well?
2) What were the questions?
3) How are the radiation physics courses? Are they hard? I enjoy science such as biology, human anatomy and physiology but I am not sure about physics as I am not good with maths either.
4) What placements have you done so far and where? ADHB, WHDB, private clinics?
5) Can you choose where to be placed for placements or they allocate you without your decision?
6) I was told that from 1st semester you start going to placement twice a week, is it hard? Especially being in placement twice a week and three days a week in lectures.

I remember in nursing, we didn't start our placements until the second semester it was 6-13 weeks (Tuesday-Friday) per semester.

I hope you can answer all my questions :) You can private message me if you like but for some reason this forum does not allow me to private message you. Maybe because I'm still new?

<snip>

Good luck with your studies and i hope to hear from you soon. :)

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

I have copied over the post to the closed thread. Hopefully Zara's Dad will be along shortly.

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

Hi BEVS thank you for doing this. I hope Zaras dad will reply to my questions.

Re: MRT
 

No Problems. I'm in 2nd year and its hard work. As well as the clinical placement days listed below, you work during the holidays too. So for the summer break you do 45 days at hospital and get about 3-4 weeks off for summer break. (you can put your request in for what days you want on/off - its not usually a problem). For a 2 week break (like now) you get 1 week off and 1 week is spent in hospital. My 1 week off is going to be in library unfortunately:unsure:

With WDHB you get paid for 45 days per year ie summer break (or you can get paid in other break but it'll be deducted from your 45 total). When you are rostered for a weekend (usually once every 12 weeks in 2nd year) you get paid time and a half.

1) What was the interview like, was it hard? Was the interview quite formal like going for a job interview? Did it involve writing as well?

Theyre quite informal really. Usually you will be interviewed by 2 people.Usually a qualified MRT and a tutor

2) What were the questions?

The usual. Why do you want to do it? What skills do you think you need? Are you aware of what is expected of you?


3) How are the radiation physics courses? Are they hard? I enjoy science such as biology, human anatomy and physiology but I am not sure about physics as I am not good with maths either.

I find it very hard. But thats me . Ive always found the physics hard from when I was at school - 24 years ago :eek:


4) What placements have you done so far and where? ADHB, WHDB, private clinics?

I'm based with WDHB - so my time is spent mostly at North Shore hospital and other times at Waitakere.


5) Can you choose where to be placed for placements or they allocate you without your decision?

You can state a preference but at the end of the day they will place you where theres a space. There are usually 6 slots for WDHB. The rest goto Auckland DHB, Counties manakau, Northland (whangarei) and waikato

6) I was told that from 1st semester you start going to placement twice a week, is it hard? Especially being in placement twice a week and three days a week in lectures.

Thats correct. From memory you do Mon-weds at Unitec henderson in 1st year and Thursday/Friday at clinical placement. In 2nd year we do Mon and tuesday at hospital, Weds/Thurs at unitec (8.30 till 3 or 4 pm) and friday off (which is good to catch up with assignments/study etc). 3rd year you do 3 days at hospital 2 at unitec



Hope that helps - if you have anymore questions then fire away.

cheers

Re: MRT
 

Zaras dad, thank you for the prompt reply. I sent you a private message. I hope to hear more answers from you :)

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

Hi

I am also interested in applying for the Unitec degree in Medical Imaging for 2014. Does any one know if you are able to study relevant individual papers at AUT as a prep course as or do you need to complete the one year course?

Thanks

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

Hi Rebecca,

Have you already applied? Be prepared for interview as part of the application process. I had an interview last year December and my application was unsuccessful. They interviewed over 100 applicants and they only accepted 30 students for the medical imaging programme.

Let me know how you go.

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

Hi esperanzaisabella,

No not applied yet. I have a degree from UK but not science related, I am hoping this will not be an issue. Do you have a medical background?

Re: Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Imaging)
 

Sorry esperanzaisabella, just read your post and realised that you have previously studied nursing so already answered my question about having a medical background!