How to Select a Radiologic Technician School in Illinois
Congratulations regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school in Illinois so you can become a radiologic technologist. And now that you have decided to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, exactly how do you undertake picking the right college and program to ensure that you will get the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And because most states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you might require training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s imperative that you investigate each of the schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Many students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and usually gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location must be taken into account, there are other important qualifiers also. For instance, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are considering are presented later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a radiology technician does and the credentials and training options that are offered.
X-Ray Tech Job Summary
There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, they all have the identical major job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some choose to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for example mammography. They may practice in Illinois hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist may work with include:
- Traditional and specialized X-Rays
- Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Sonography or ultrasound
- Fluoroscopy
Radiographers have to take care of their equipment and frequently analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally required to retain detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Illinois health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
Radiology Technician Degree Options
The standard prerequisite for attending an x-ray tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, normally requires 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as four years to complete and is more comprehensive in scope. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be appropriate also. Something to keep in mind is that Illinois radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may frequently be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Illinois or the state you will be working as applicable.
Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing
When you have graduated from an Radiologist school, based on the state where you will be employed you might have to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites differ so contact your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many accept additional alternatives for testing also. A number of states also require certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, many Illinois employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it may increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.
Online X-Ray Technician Programs
As a part of any degree program, Illinois x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree programs. So even though you can still obtain your degree online, a considerable portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is typically carried out in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online portion of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Illinois residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree often find that the online style of education is far more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online schools are often cheaper than on-campus alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting may be reduced as well. But just make sure that the online college you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online school may be the ideal option for you.
Subjects to Ask Radiologic Tech Colleges
When you have decided on the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of locating and evaluating Illinois x-ray tech schools. You will also have to determine if you want to attend classes online or drive to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the college will be important. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be an important variable as well. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you consider when comparing colleges? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these important details before you make your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are assessing.
Are the X-Ray Tech Programs Accredited? Most radiology technician schools have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to verify that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive review of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Illinois health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level jobs.
Are Internships Sponsored? Inquire if the Illinois radiology tech schools you are reviewing have associations with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to receive practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Illinois medical community and assist with job placement.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Illinois healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Illinois home. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Illinois colleges you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program also.
Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the radiographer program you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Illinois, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.
Pick the Ideal Radiology Tech College in Illinois
Choosing the right x-ray technician college is a crucial first step toward beginning a satisfying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs typically stand for the majority of the day and position and in some cases lift the patient to get the proper image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best possible patient care. As has been addressed in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are assessing prior to making your ultimate selection. This is equally true whether you opt for an online school or drive to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each school so you can focus your options and make your decision. And with the right training and your commitment to be successful, you can reach your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Illinois.