How to Find a Radiologic Technician School in Minnesota
Congrats regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school in Minnesota so you can train to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have decided to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, exactly how do you set about choosing the right college and program so that you will receive the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And because most states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you may require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you investigate each of the schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Most potential students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and frequently settle on the lowest cost. But while expense and location need to be taken into consideration, there are additional important qualifiers also. For instance, you must ask if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are examining are presented later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a radiologic tech does and the credentials and education choices that are available.
Radiology Technician Career Description
There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, they all have the identical principal job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some opt to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, such as mammography. They may work in Minnesota clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech may 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 plus frequently assess its functionality and safety. They are additionally expected to retain in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Minnesota health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
Radiology Technician Degree Options
The standard prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech program is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, generally takes 18 months to two years to finish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to complete and is more expansive in nature. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be appropriate as well. One thing to bear in mind is that Minnesota radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It may typically be fulfilled by taking part in an externship program which a large number of schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Minnesota or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing
When you have graduated from an X-Ray tech school, based on the state where you will be practicing you may need to be licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their requirements vary so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but a number provide other alternatives for testing as well. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. However, numerous Minnesota employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every other year, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.
Online Radiology Technician Classes
As a part of every degree program, Minnesota x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree schools. So even though you can still obtain your online degree, a significant portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an internship off-campus. Practical training is often performed in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online segment of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your Minnesota home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree typically find that the online style of education is much more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online schools are frequently cheaper than on-campus alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials may be lessened also. But just confirm that the online program you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online degree may be the best option for you.
Topics to Ask X Ray Tech Schools
Once you have chosen the type of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of looking for and assessing Minnesota x-ray tech schools. You will also have to determine if you want to attend classes online or drive to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be critical. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be a material factor also. But along with location and cost, what more should you consider when evaluating schools? Well, you need to ask if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details prior to making your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you must ask the programs you are assessing.
Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? The majority of xray technician colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to make sure that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous review of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Minnesota employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level openings.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Inquire if the Minnesota radiology tech schools you are evaluating have partnerships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific manner to obtain hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Minnesota health care community and help with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Minnesota healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Minnesota residence. Students who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Minnesota schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program as well.
Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the x-ray tech program you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Minnesota, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Select the Ideal X-Ray Technician School in Minnesota
Choosing the right radiology tech school is a critical first step toward initiating a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs frequently stand for the greater part of the workday and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best available care to patients. As we have discussed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are reviewing before making your final selection. This is equally true whether you participate in an online program or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each program so you can focus your options before making your final choice. And with the appropriate training and your dedication to be successful, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiographer in Minnesota.