Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Mercer PA 16137 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Find an X-Ray Technician College near Mercer Pennsylvania

Mercer PA x-ray tech internship program Congratulations regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Mercer PA so you can train to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have decided to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you undertake picking the ideal college and program so that you will receive the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that the majority of states do require that radiology techs become licensed, based on where you subsequently practice you might need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s essential that you research each of the schools you are considering so that you can compare each program. A number of potential students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and frequently settle on the lowest cost. But while location and cost must be considered, there are additional critical qualifiers also. For example, you should ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the schools you are reviewing are provided later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology technician does and the degrees and education choices that are available.

Radiology Technician Career Summary

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective 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. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many opt to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for instance mammography. They can work in Mercer PA 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 must care for their equipment and routinely evaluate its performance and safety. They are also required to retain detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Mercer PA health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degree Options

x-ray machine in Mercer PA The standard requirement for attending an x-ray tech college is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree 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 as much as four years to finish and is more expansive in scope. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that are acceptable also. One thing to bear in mind is that Mercer PA radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may often be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which a large number of schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Pennsylvania or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician school, depending on the state where you will be working you may have to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary so check with 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 many provide other options for testing as well. Some states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, if not it is optional. Having said that, numerous Mercer PA employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it may increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every other year, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technician Classes

attending x-ray tech school online in Mercer 16137 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree programs. So although you can still obtain your online degree, a considerable portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is typically performed in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online portion of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Mercer PA home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree typically discover that the online approach to education is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online programs are often cheaper than conventional options. Along with reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials can be lessened also. But just make sure that the online program you select is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then online classes may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Radiologic Tech Schools

As soon as you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of finding and assessing Mercer PA x-ray technician schools. You will also need to decide if you prefer to attend classes online or travel to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the college will be relevant. The price of tuition and secondary expenses will be a determining variable also. But along with location and cost, what more should you factor in when reviewing colleges? Well, you should ask if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these important details prior to making your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you must ask the colleges you are considering.

Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? The majority of radiology tech colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still crucial to verify that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed assessment of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies 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 acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Mercer PA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the Pennsylvania radiology technician colleges you are evaluating have partnerships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent manner to obtain practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist students and graduates establish professional connections in the Mercer PA medical community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are reviewing 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 Mercer PA healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they select will have to be within driving distance of their Mercer PA home. Individuals who have opted 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. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose 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 generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Mercer PA colleges you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program also.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the x-ray tech college you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Mercer PA, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Radiology Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask radiographer applicants is "What drove you to pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should organize some strategies about how you would like to address them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Pick the Right X-Ray Tech School near Mercer PA

Choosing the appropriate radiology technician degree program is a crucial first step toward launching a satisfying 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 move and sometimes lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and deliver the best available patient care. As has been discussed in this report, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each school you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision. This is just as true whether you opt for an online program or commute to classes on campus. By asking the right 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 motivation to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Mercer PA.

Some Background on Mercer Pennsylvania

Mercer County, Pennsylvania

Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 116,638.[1] Its county seat is Mercer,[2] and its largest city is Hermitage. The county was created in 1800 and later organized in 1803.[3]

Mercer County is included in the Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 683 square miles (1,770 km2), of which 673 square miles (1,740 km2) is land and 10 square miles (26 km2) (1.5%) is water.[4]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 120,293 people, 46,712 households, and 32,371 families residing in the county. The population density was 179 people per square mile (69/km²). There were 49,859 housing units at an average density of 74 per square mile (29/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.13% White, 5.25% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.5% were of German, 12.0% Italian, 10.5% Irish, 9.3% English and 6.8% American ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 46,712 households out of which 29.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.80% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.96.