Canadian MT - how to get to the States?

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Antijen - 11 Sep 2006 07:07 GMT

Here in Canada, even though there is a lack of technologists in the
hospitals, the only jobs that a newly graduated tech can get are on
"availability". These jobs are unusual in that it's the lab who
decides to hire, and not really Human Resources, since no job is
posted. I found myself one of these positions for now, but I want to
relocate to the US (Washington DC area) by next year and I'm not sure
what the best way is to look for work there. Something tells me that
just going through HR isn't going to cut it. So how do I find the
right people?

I'm ASCP certified as a general MT, and I have nearly a year of lab
experience. Lately I'm in the blood bank, working solo night shifts.
I'm good at my job. I like my job. I just want to be doing my job in
the States.

Any ideas?

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Alyexxa@gmail.com - 24 Sep 2006 01:19 GMT

Hey there...
I am a Canadian working in the USA. What you need to cross the border
is either a diploma in Med Lab Technology and a Bachelors degree or
three years of experience. Those are NAFTA requirements.
You then have to have a job, so that you can get a letter from your
employer in the USA to say that you are going to be working for them
and how much you are going to be making.
You will have to go through a VISA screen process too, where you will
be required to have your school records sent to BCIS (INS) and they
will research to make sure that you are truly eligible to work in the
USA.

I know all of this since I am a Manager at a hospital in Detroit,
Michigan and I hire A LOT of Canadians!!

Good Luck.

P.S...the other way to do it is to have a Green Card...

> Here in Canada, even though there is a lack of technologists in the
> hospitals, the only jobs that a newly graduated tech can get are on
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Any ideas?

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Antijen - 24 Sep 2006 10:21 GMT

Thank you for replying.
I have both the diploma in Medical Lab Technology and a Bachelor's
degree, and I've passed the ASCP exam too.
Can you tell me what visa is most appropriate for my situation,
assuming I find an employer who is willing to sponsor me? I have read
of the H1B visa for "specialty occupation" workers, and there's also
the "TN" visa which is specifically for Canadians (and Mexicans). Which
of these is generally used in sponsoring a Canadian medical tech? Also,
once the job offer is officially made, what sort of delay can I expect
before actually being allowed to work (and move to the area)? Is it a
very complicated and expensive process for the hospital?
Anything at all you could tell me about what to expect would be
wonderful, because this is all new to me!
Thank you,
Jen Blais

> Hey there...
> I am a Canadian working in the USA. What you need to cross the border
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> P.S...the other way to do it is to have a Green Card...

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