How to Find an Xray Tech Degree Program near Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania

Congrats on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Jim Thorpe PA in order to become a radiology technologist. But now that you have chosen to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you tackle choosing the ideal college and program to ensure that you will obtain the proper training to become a qualified professional? And since the majority of states do require that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s imperative that you research each of the colleges you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Most prospective students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and often gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location should be considered, there are other important qualifiers as well. For example, you must find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are reviewing are presented later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray technician does and the degrees and education choices that are available.

Radiology Tech Work Description

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, they all have the same fundamental job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some choose to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for instance mammography. They can practice in Jim Thorpe PA 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 also regularly analyze its functionality and safety. They are additionally expected to retain in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Jim Thorpe PA medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Tech Degrees

The basic prerequisite for attending a radiology tech program is to have earned 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 prevalent among techs, usually takes 18 months to two years to finish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finish and is more extensive in scope. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be appropriate as well. Something to keep in mind is that Jim Thorpe PA radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may frequently be fulfilled by taking part in an externship program which a large number of schools sponsor 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 certification or licensing requirements in Pennsylvania or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiographer Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an X-Ray tech program, depending on the state where you will be working you might have to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their prerequisites differ so contact your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but several accept additional options for testing as well. A number of states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. However, many Jim Thorpe PA employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may increase 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 comprehensive examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technician Degrees

As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree programs. So even though you can still earn your online degree, a significant portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Clinical training is usually performed in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online section of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Jim Thorpe PA residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree usually discover that the online style of learning is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online colleges are often less costly than on-campus options. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials can be lessened also. But just make certain that the online college you choose is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online school may be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Radiographer Colleges

Once you have decided on the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of searching for and evaluating Jim Thorpe PA x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to determine if you want to attend classes online or travel to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be an important variable also. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you look at when reviewing colleges? Well, you should find out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details prior to making your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you need to ask the programs you are assessing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of xray technician schools have earned some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to verify 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed evaluation of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Jim Thorpe PA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the Pennsylvania xray technician programs you are interested in have associations with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to get practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can help students and graduates develop professional connections in the Jim Thorpe PA healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Jim Thorpe PA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Jim Thorpe PA residence. Those 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 importance. Something to keep 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 be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Jim Thorpe PA schools you are looking at 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 ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program also.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the radiographer  program you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Jim Thorpe PA, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be an Xray Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's advantageous to consider questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask radiographer prospects is "What made you select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare a number of strategies about how you want to respond to them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Best Radiology Technician College near Jim Thorpe PA

Enrolling in the right radiology tech degree program is a critical first step toward launching a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs typically stand for the greater part of the day and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to follow the safety guidelines 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. Having social skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best possible patient care. As has been discussed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each school you are reviewing before making your final selection. This is just as true whether you enroll in an online school or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each school so you can narrow down your options before making your final choice. And with the proper education and your commitment to succeed, you can realize your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Jim Thorpe PA.

Some Background on Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania

 

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