Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Copperas Cove TX 76522

How to Choose an Xray Technician School near Copperas Cove Texas

Copperas Cove TX x-ray tech internship program Congrats on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Copperas Cove TX in order to learn to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have decided to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you undertake choosing the right school and program so that you will get the appropriate training to become a skilled professional? And considering that most states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the colleges you are looking at in order to compare each program. Most potential students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and typically settle on the most affordable cost. But while location and cost need to be taken into consideration, there are additional critical qualifiers also. For instance, you must find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you should ask the schools you are considering are provided later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a radiology technician does and the credentials and education choices that are offered.

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Radiology Technician Occupation Summary

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, each has the same major job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some choose to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for instance mammography. They can work in Copperas Cove TX clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech may work with 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 also regularly analyze its performance and safety. They are also expected to retain in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Copperas Cove TX medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Tech Degrees Available

x-ray machine in Copperas Cove TX The standard prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have received a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among techs, usually takes 18 months to two years to finish 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 nature. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be appropriate as well. One thing to bear in mind is that Copperas Cove TX radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Texas or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, depending on the state where you will be practicing you may have to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their criteria vary so contact your state. At present, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but many approve additional options for testing also. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. However, numerous Copperas Cove TX employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might enhance your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technician Schools

attending x-ray tech school online in Copperas Cove 76522 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree programs. So although you can still earn your online degree, a significant amount of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an internship off-campus. Practical training is often carried out in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online segment of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Copperas Cove TX home. Students who continue working while earning their degree usually find that the online style of learning is far more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online schools are often cheaper than on-campus alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials can be lessened as well. But just be sure that the online program you select is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then online classes may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Radiology Tech Programs

After you have selected the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of searching for and assessing Copperas Cove TX x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to determine if you want to attend classes online or travel to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be critical. The cost of tuition and secondary expenses will be an important factor as well. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you look at when evaluating colleges? Well, you should ask if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these important details before you make your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the schools you are considering.

Are the X-Ray Technician Schools Accredited? The majority of xray tech colleges have acquired some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through an extensive examination of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in securing financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Copperas Cove TX health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level openings.

Are Internships Provided? Inquire if the Texas radiology technician programs you are evaluating have relationships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to receive 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 may help students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Copperas Cove TX medical community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Copperas Cove TX healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Copperas Cove TX home. Students who have decided to attend online classes 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 keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Copperas Cove TX colleges you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the x-ray tech college you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Copperas Cove TX, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Want to Be a Radiology Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but additionally what qualities and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must organize some strategies about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Pick the Ideal X-Ray Technician College near Copperas Cove TX

Selecting the right x-ray technician college is an important first step toward starting a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs typically stand for the majority of the workday and move and in some cases lift the patient to get the proper 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. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and furnish the best available care to patients. As has been covered in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are reviewing before making your final decision. This is just as true whether you decide on an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each college so you can narrow down your choices and make your final choice. And with the proper training and your dedication to be successful, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiographer in Copperas Cove TX.

Some Background on Copperas Cove Texas

Copperas Cove, Texas

Copperas Cove is a city located in central Texas at the southern corner of Coryell County with smaller portions in Lampasas and Bell Counties. Founded in 1879 as a small ranching and farming community, today the city is the largest in Coryell County, with 32,032 residents as of the 2010 census[3] and an estimated 32,943 residents in 2014.[4] The city's economy is closely linked to nearby Fort Hood, making it part of the Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area. Local people usually refer to the town as just "Cove".

The first evidence of human habitation in the Five Hills area dates back to at least 4,000 BC. Artifacts, such as skeletal remains, arrowheads, and other stone tools, have been found along local creek beds and valley floors. These first residents were nomadic hunters, traveling in small groups following migrating buffalo herds. When the Spanish came to Texas, a small Plains tribe known as the Tonkawa inhabited the area. The powerful and aggressive Comanche controlled a vast stretch of land to the north and west, making Coryell County a hostile battleground as settlers moved into the area.

In 1825, Mexico provided Stephen F. Austin with a land grant encompassing a large area including present-day Copperas Cove. Starting in the 1830s, the first white settlers came into the Five Hills region; however, the area lacked stability until after the Civil War. Substantial settlement did not arrive until the development of the cattle industry during the 1870s, when a feeder route of the Chisholm Trail was cut through the region. Settlement centered around a local general store about two miles southwest of present-day downtown. In 1878, residents applied for a post office under the name "Cove", so chosen for the site's sheltered location. However "Cove" was already taken by a nearby community (now called Evant). Inspired by the taste of nearby spring water, residents amended the name to "Copperas Cove" (officially in 1901). The post office was established in March 1879, with Marsden Ogletree as the town's first postmaster. The original building remains today and is the site of the Ogletree Gap Heritage Festival.

Copperas Cove's fortunes were greatly improved when, in 1882, the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway expanded into the region. Local resident Jesse M. Clements lobbied to obtain train service and provided the railroad company with the necessary right-of-way about two miles northeast of town. Residents soon moved to a new set of streets laid out by the company's engineer, E.F. Batte. The train depot at Copperas Cove served as the shipping point for farmers and ranchers in the area between Cowhouse Creek and the Lampasas River. Businesses opened to provide services for these area residents, including a steam gristmill-cotton gin, three hotels, a barber shop, and an opera house. Many of the town's early buildings remain to this day, focusing around the block of Avenue D between Main Street and 1st Street. By 1900, the population had reached 475, and residents voted to form their own school district. A private bank opened in 1906, and residents elected Jouett Allin their first mayor in 1913. The town continued to prosper over the coming years, depending largely on local agriculture, of which cotton played a dominant role. Copperas Cove reached a peak population of 600 in 1929, but entered a state of decline with the onset of the Great Depression. During the 1930s, the local bank failed, several businesses closed, and many people left to look for work in other areas. By 1940, only 356 people remained.

In 1942, Copperas Cove received new life when the US government located Camp Hood next to the struggling community. By the time the cantonment was upgraded to Fort Hood in 1950, the town had over a thousand residents. The population continued to increase rapidly, reaching almost 5,000 in 1960 and more than doubling each of the next two decades, eventually coming to the present count of 32,032 at the 2010 census.[3] During this period, the city limits greatly expanded, encompassing acres of newly built tract housing with upgraded roads and services. The establishment of the fort drastically altered the character of the city. Soldiers from across the country bring their families and settle in Copperas Cove, often remaining after concluding their military service. In addition to diversifying the ethnic and religious composition of the city, Fort Hood altered the local economy. Since much of the area farmland was acquired by the federal government, businesses within Copperas Cove now largely provide services for Fort Hood soldiers and their families.[5]