Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Lexington OK 73051 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Choose an Xray Tech Program near Lexington Oklahoma

Lexington OK x-ray tech internship program Congrats regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Lexington OK so you can learn to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have made a decision to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, exactly how do you go about selecting the ideal school and program so that you will receive the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And because the majority of states do require that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you may require preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the schools you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. A number of potential students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and often settle on the lowest cost. But while location and cost need to be considered, there are additional significant qualifications as well. For instance, you should ask if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are considering are presented later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a x-ray technician does and the credentials and training options that are offered.

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Radiology Technician Occupation Description

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, they all have the identical fundamental job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some opt to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They may work in Lexington OK clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician may utilize include:

Traditional and specialized X-Rays
Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Sonography or ultrasound
Fluoroscopy

Radiographers must maintain their equipment and routinely analyze its functionality and safety. They are additionally required to retain complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Lexington OK health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Available

x-ray machine in Lexington OK The basic prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, usually takes 18 months to two years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to complete and is more extensive in scope. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that are acceptable also. Something to bear in mind is that Lexington OK radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can typically be satisfied by taking part in an internship or externship program which many colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any certification or licensing requirements in Oklahoma or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an X-Ray tech program, depending on the state where you will be working you might need to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their requirements differ so contact your state. At present, all states that do require licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but many accept additional alternatives for testing as well. Some states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. Having said that, numerous Lexington OK employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it could improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every 2 years, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Tech Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Lexington 73051 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree colleges. So even though you can still earn your online degree, a significant amount of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an internship off-campus. Clinical training is typically conducted in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online segment of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your Lexington OK home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree often discover that the online style of education is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online schools are frequently cheaper than conventional options. Along with reduced tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting can be lessened as well. But just make certain that the online school you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then online classes may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Radiologic Tech Programs

When you have selected the type of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of looking for and evaluating Lexington OK x-ray tech colleges. You will also have to decide if you want to attend classes online or travel to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the school will be critical. The price of tuition and supplementary expenses will be an important factor also. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you consider when comparing schools? Well, you should check out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these essential details before you make your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you must ask the programs you are considering.

Are the X-Ray Technician Programs Accredited? Most xray technician schools have acquired some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still crucial to verify that the school and program are accredited. Among 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 undergone a rigorous examination of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also help in securing financial aid and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Lexington OK employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Offered? Ask if the Oklahoma xray technician programs you are interested in have associations with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great means to receive hands on training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can help students and graduates establish professional connections in the Lexington OK healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the radiographer schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Lexington OK healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their Lexington OK 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 area internships will be of concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even 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 generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Lexington OK colleges you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the radiographer school you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Lexington OK, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Radiologic Technologist?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask radiographer prospects is "What drove you to select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being a radiology technician, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare several ideas about how you want to answer them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Radiology Tech Program near Lexington OK

Selecting the ideal radiology tech school is a crucial first step toward starting a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs often stand for the greater part of the workday and move and sometimes lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines designed 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. Having social skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best possible patient care. As has been covered in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each program you are considering before making your final selection. This is similarly 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 focus your choices before making your final choice. And with the right training and your dedication to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Lexington OK.

Some Background on Lexington Oklahoma

Lexington, Oklahoma

Lexington is a city in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, United States. The city population was 2,152 at the 2010 census.[3]

Lexington is located in southern Cleveland County at 35°0′55″N 97°20′10″W / 35.01528°N 97.33611°W / 35.01528; -97.33611. It is bordered on the west by the Canadian River, which forms the McClain County line. The city of Purcell is directly across the river from Lexington, connected by U.S. Route 77. US 77 leads north from Lexington 16 miles (26 km) to Norman and 38 miles (61 km) to the center of Oklahoma City.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Lexington has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2), all of it land.[3]

As of the census[1] of 2010 there were 2,152 people, 761 households, and 541 families residing in the city. The population density was 979.3 people per square mile (378.1/km²). There were 842 housing units at an average density of 395.3 per square mile (152.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.62% White, 0.58% African American, 6.47% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 3.74% from other races, and 3.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.29% of the population.

There were 761 households out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.06.