How to Pick an X-Ray Technician College in North Carolina
Best wishes regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school in North Carolina in order to train to be a radiologic technician. But now that you have made a decision to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you set about selecting the right school and program so that you will get the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And since the majority of states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you might require preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s imperative that you research each of the colleges you are considering in order to evaluate each program. A number of students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and typically settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location need to be considered, there are additional significant qualifications as well. For instance, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are evaluating are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray technician does and the credentials and education choices that are available.
Radiology Technician Career Summary
There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, each has the identical fundamental job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many choose to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, such as mammography. They can practice in North Carolina hospitals, clinics, family 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 care for their equipment plus frequently analyze its functionality and safety. They are additionally required to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As North Carolina health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
X-Ray Technician Degree Options
The primary prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have earned 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 typical among technicians, normally requires 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to four years to finish 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 North Carolina radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may typically be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing requirements in North Carolina or the state you will be working as applicable.
Radiographer Licensing and Certification
When you have graduated from an Radiologist program, based on the state where you will be practicing you may need to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their criteria vary so contact your state. At present, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but a number approve other options for testing also. A number of states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. However, many North Carolina employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it could enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.
Online Radiology Technician Colleges
As a part of every degree program, North Carolina x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree programs. So while you can still earn your degree online, a significant portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Practical training is often performed in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online segment of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your North Carolina home. Students who continue working while earning their degree usually discover that the online style of education is much more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are frequently less expensive than traditional options. Along with reduced tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting can be lessened as well. But just be sure 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 structured type of training, then an online school may be the best option for you.
Questions to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges
As soon as you have decided on the type of degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of locating and evaluating North Carolina x-ray technician schools. You will also need to decide if you prefer to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be a determining factor also. But along with cost and location, what else should you consider when reviewing schools? Well, you need to find out if the colleges 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 should ask the programs you are assessing.
Are the Radiology Tech Schools Accredited? The majority of xray tech schools have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still crucial to make sure that the school and program 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 a rigorous examination of their instructors and educational materials. If the program is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of North Carolina health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry-level positions.
Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the North Carolina xray tech programs you are assessing have relationships with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific manner to get practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist graduates and students form professional connections in the North Carolina health care community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the radiographer programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with North Carolina healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will need to be within driving distance of their North Carolina residence. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind 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 normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the North Carolina schools you are reviewing what the typical 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 an opportunity to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program as well.
Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the radiographer college you ultimately select 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 evening or weekend classes in North Carolina, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.
Choose the Right X-Ray Technician School in North Carolina
Enrolling in the ideal x-ray tech college is a critical first step toward initiating a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs regularly stand for the greater part of the day and move and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best available patient care. As has been discussed in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are assessing prior to making your ultimate decision. This is equally true whether you opt for an online program or commute to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can examine and compare each program so you can narrow down your choices before making your final choice. And with the right education and your dedication to succeed, you can achieve your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in North Carolina.