How to Pick a Radiologic Technician Degree Program in Tennessee
Congratulations regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school in Tennessee in order to train to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have made a decision to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you set about picking the ideal school and program to ensure that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a skilled professional? And because the majority of states do require that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you may require preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the schools you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. Most students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and typically settle on the lowest cost. But while cost and location must be considered, there are other significant qualifications as well. For example, you must ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the schools you are examining are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology tech does and the degrees and training choices that are offered.
Radiology Technician Job Description
There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, they all have the identical primary job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many opt to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for instance mammography. They can practice in Tennessee clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist 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 also frequently assess its functionality and safety. They are additionally required to retain in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Tennessee health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
Radiology Technician Degrees Available
The basic prerequisite for attending an x-ray tech school 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, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as four years to finish and is more extensive in scope. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are acceptable also. One thing to keep in mind is that Tennessee radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Tennessee or the state you will be working as applicable.
X-Ray Tech Licensing and Certification
After you have graduated from an Radiologist school, based on the state where you will be employed you might need to be licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their criteria differ so check with your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but a number provide other alternatives for testing also. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Tennessee employers favor hiring radiology techs that have earned certification so it may increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.
Online X-Ray Tech Degrees
As a part of any degree program, Tennessee x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree schools. So although you can still obtain your online degree, a considerable portion of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is usually carried out in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online section of the training can be attended in the comfort of your Tennessee home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree typically find that the online style of learning is much more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are often less costly than traditional options. Along with reduced tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting may be decreased as well. But just be sure that the online college 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 online classes may be the best choice for you.
What to Ask Radiographer Colleges
When you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of looking for and assessing Tennessee x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be relevant. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be an important variable also. But along with location and cost, what more should you factor in when reviewing schools? Well, you should find out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these important details prior to making your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the schools you are considering.
Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? A large number of radiology tech colleges have acquired some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still important to confirm 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). Programs earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous assessment of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Tennessee health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level openings.
Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out if the Tennessee radiology technician colleges you are reviewing have partnerships with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to receive hands on training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist students and graduates form professional relationships in the Tennessee health care community and help with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the radiographer programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Tennessee healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Tennessee home. Individuals who have chosen 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 importance. One thing 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 typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of 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 likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Tennessee colleges you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want 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 students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program also.
Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the radiographer program you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Tennessee, 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 courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Pick the Ideal X-Ray Technician College in Tennessee
Selecting the appropriate x-ray technician school is an important first step toward beginning a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the greater part of the day and position and at times lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a productive 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 program you are looking at before making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you decide on an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can examine and compare each college so you can focus your choices and make your final choice. And with the right education and your commitment to be successful, you can achieve your goal to practice as a radiographer in Tennessee.