How to Choose a Radiology Technician College in Louisiana
Congratulations regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school in Louisiana so you can train to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have made a decision to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, exactly how do you undertake selecting the right college and program to ensure that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And considering that the majority of states do mandate that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you may require training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you assess each of the schools you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. Many prospective students begin by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and usually gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location should be taken into consideration, there are additional important qualifiers also. For instance, you should ask whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are examining are presented later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a x-ray technician does and the credentials and education choices that are offered.
Radiology Tech Work Description
There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, they all have the same fundamental job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some elect to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They can practice in Louisiana hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech might utilize include:
- Traditional and specialized X-Rays
- Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Sonography or ultrasound
- Fluoroscopy
Radiographers have to maintain their equipment and frequently evaluate its functionality and safety. They are also expected to keep complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Louisiana health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
Radiology Tech Degrees Available
The primary prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have received a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, generally requires 18 months to two years to complete depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to complete and is more extensive in scope. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that are acceptable as well. Something to keep in mind is that Louisiana radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can frequently be satisfied by taking part in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their area. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Louisiana or the state you will be working as applicable.
Radiographer Licensing and Certification
After you have graduated from an Radiologist program, depending on the state where you will be employed you might need to be licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their requirements differ so contact your state. Currently, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but several offer additional options for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. Having said that, many Louisiana employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.
Online X-Ray Technician Programs
As a part of every degree program, Louisiana x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree programs. So while you can still earn your online degree, a significant amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is often performed in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online section of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Louisiana home. Students who keep working while earning their degree usually find that the online approach to learning is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online programs are generally cheaper than traditional alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials can be reduced also. But just make certain that the online school you pick is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online school may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Radiologic Tech Colleges
As soon as you have decided on the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can begin the process of finding and assessing Louisiana x-ray technician schools. You will also need to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be important. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be an important variable also. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you factor in when comparing schools? Well, you need to find out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details before you make your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you must ask the programs you are assessing.
Are the X-Ray Technician Schools Accredited? A large number of xray technician schools have received some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still imperative to make sure that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Louisiana health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level openings.
Are Internships Offered? Ask if the Louisiana xray technician colleges you are assessing have partnerships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great means to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Louisiana health care community and assist with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession 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. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Louisiana healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Louisiana residence. Students who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Louisiana schools you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program as well.
Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the x-ray tech college you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Louisiana, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Enroll in the Best Radiology Technician Program in Louisiana
Choosing the appropriate radiology tech college is an important first step toward launching a satisfying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs frequently stand for the greater part of the day and move and sometimes lift the patient to get the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and furnish the best available care to patients. As has been addressed in this report, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are assessing prior to making your final decision. This is just as true whether you opt for an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can analyze and compare each school so you can narrow down your options before making your final choice. And with the proper training and your motivation to succeed, you can achieve your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Louisiana.