I have an interview lined up for a MRI Combo CT Scanner Installer and just wondered if any of you guys either do the job or know somebody thats doing/ done it? You have seen them on the road I’m sure, job involves driving the rig with the trailer to different hospitals/clinics etc and help install them after training.
Any info would be greatly appreciated, 
Matt
A bloke I used to work with went on to that type of work, all I know was he was working nights moving the trailer as it was in use during the day, the hourly rate was quite good £11 iirc, but he did’nt do many hours so that kept his wages down.
Wouldn’t have thought there would be much work in that? as the trailers are parked up in the hospital grounds for weeks/months at a time. From experience collecting waste, hospital grounds are usually pretty ■■■■ tight, numpties parked all over the place in the way. Nightmare.
Thanks for your comments guys. I’m told (you never know until you do a job do you) that the driving is secondary and its mainly the installation and setting up of the CT Scanners (after training) that is the biggest part of the job.
I’m trying to do as much research on it before the interview hence the post asking for some advice from you guys. I understand it’s not a mainstream haulage and as such might be tricky to get some info on.
Got one line of info (most help Imp) that I will enquire into but any other comments or information on the post would be gratefully received.
Cheers guys.
I’ve just started on for a firm doing this type of work.
Our trailers mostly move at night and it can be a 7 day a week operation although we work a maximum of six shifts.
Although we can run all over the country we mostly stay in the south and we have northern based drivers who cover that part of the world.
The most important part of the job is the setting up of the trailers which is critical although full training should be given. Ive been doing mostly MR and audio trailers which take about an hour to set up and pack away. The basic idea is to provide a level platform with access and power as required.
Although they mostly go to dedicated sites remember that you are dealing with hospitals and clinics in the main so expect VERY tight access points. I would say it’s not a job for someone to cut their teeth in manouvering a vehicle in very tight confines. I’ve come from the rail plant industry so consider myself well versed in working in very limited spaces but I’ve been to a few sites that beggar belief.
There can be a lot of hanging around but I’ve found that most hospitals have all the facilities on hand and it sure beats kipping in laybys or service areas that stink of ■■■■.
As I’ve said i’m new to this but having done a few weeks tramping in between jobs this is one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. It’s just different and can take some getting your head around.
Cheers
Neilf
Thanks Neilf most helpful of you. I’m going to PM you for some more info if thats ok mate as I’ve a few more questions if that’s ok mate?
Regards
Matt
No problem at all Matt.
Like I said I’m new at the game myself but will help you out wherever I can.
Just a quick point but I’m back to work tomorrow around 5ish so if you want answers before the end of the week then PM by midday sunday.
Cheers
Neilf
I don’t know anything about this specialised job, but I’m 99% sure this has come up before on TN. We’ve had somebody else doing it a while back.
I know a guy who did this for a whie, and the hourly rate as stated is pretty good, however the overtime is limited. the combination is awkard ( and at least the one my mate drove was under STGO regs) and has to be dropped in some very awkward , tight spots, It is also worth a huge amount of money and damaging /writing off one of the trailers would probably not help your career.
From what he told me, while the actual take home wasnt brilliant it was enough/better than he had on general haulage, and the hours were no where near the maximum , but the responsibility didnt match up to what he was getting paid
I hate hospital food 
PM sent Matt.
Cheers
Neilf
Thanks guys, keep them coming any info is better than no info. I take you points on board its just a matter of weighting it all up I suppose. Whether its a “Specialist” job remains to be seen. I know the salary after training is good but as with anything it depends what you are doing for it. I appreciate any info, good or bad anybody has regarding the post.
Thanks
Thanks Neilf, got your PM today, most helpful mate.
I will be intouch
Cheers
Matt
Hi Matt.
I have been doing this job just over a year now and i think that its the best job on the planet.
I should of done it years ago.
Mind you i didn’t think i was going to last this long when i started.
Hope you get into it and enjoy it.
Hi mat i started working for alliance medical in august 98,i collected my trailer from liverpool docks it was a new calumet with a GEC mri imaging system,made in calumet city ilanios,in 98 this trailer cost $10,000,000(yes you read it right TEN MILLION).I was then cotracted to the umbrian health authority serving hospitals in perugia terni jesi rome and ancona to start .Some of the hospital acess were designed for people arriving on foot or on a horse as they were all very old.When working for alliance the NO 1 PRIORITY was don"t damage the trailer we were treated as a captain of a ship,if us drivers didn"t like the acess to a hospital we had the final say and it did"nt get served.Ive waited 4 hrs to get a car moved to get in and 3.5 hrs to get a van moved to get out.We were tacho exempt because on the V5 we were stated as a medical machine not an HGV.Once you get the hang of it its an hour to set up and 45 mins to pack away.I always tried to get in and set up the ngt B4.You sit around all day the pack up late evening the do your move.The technical trainings ok if you"ve got a bit of nouse about you but some couldn"t handle it.i was working 21 days on then flying home having 7/8 days off then flying back.With holidays i was getting 13 weeks off on full pay a year.I still say i didn"t learn to reverse properly untill i started that job.good luck i hope you get it
PM you mate
Wouldn’t fancy pulling a trailer worth ten million bucks, might be a bit stressful…
Hi europleb.
I like the idea of going in to europe with a scanner.
Did you have to use a tacho abroad??
It can be a bit frustrating waiting 3hrs for a car to be moved But that’s the way of the job i guess.
Europleb wrote…quote…‘‘we were treated as a captain of a ship’’,
Believe me when I say there are some owners/ charterers who treat their Captains the same way as a truck driver is treated in a bad RDC !!!
And you dont need to go to Poland or Romania, Bulgaria to find them either !!!
no i never used the tacho i just waited untill the caribineri were at at the point of ultimate excitement thinking it was christmas and their birthday then i"d get out the log book and exemption cert and letter of translation.the longest short term contract i did was at folignio hosp,never moved the trailer for 12 weeks,then did 7 weeks at jesi nr ancona spent most of the time at out door swiming pool,i could do what i liked providing that i could be back at the trailer within a 15 minute window,to deal with any small/simple breakdown or maintainance issues.we had new daf xf 480 ssc.the rear steering systems on the trailers took a bit of getting used untill you got your eye in