Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Galax VA 24333 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Select a Radiology Tech College near Galax Virginia

Galax VA x-ray tech internship program Best wishes regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Galax VA in order to become a radiology technologist. But now that you have chosen to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you set about picking the ideal college and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that most states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you might need preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you research each of the schools you are looking at so that you can compare each program. Most potential students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and typically settle on the lowest cost. But while expense and location should be considered, there are other significant qualifiers as well. For instance, you should find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are evaluating are provided later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic tech does and the degrees and education choices that are offered.

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X-Ray Technician Job Description

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, they all have the same major job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many elect to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for instance mammography. They may work in Galax VA clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician might utilize include:

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

Radiographers must take care of their equipment and routinely analyze its functionality and safety. They are also required to keep detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Galax VA medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Technician Degrees Available

x-ray machine in Galax VA The basic prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech school 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 requires 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 4 years to finish and is more comprehensive in scope. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are appropriate also. Something to keep in mind is that Galax VA radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can frequently be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which many schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Virginia or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiographer Licensing and Certification

After you have graduated from an Radiologist 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 criteria vary so contact your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but several provide other alternatives for testing as well. Some states also call for certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. However, many Galax VA employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every other year, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Tech Classes

attending x-ray tech school online in Galax 24333 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree programs. So while you can still obtain your online degree, a large portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is often conducted in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online segment of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Galax VA home. Students who continue working while earning their degree typically find that the online style of learning is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online programs are frequently more affordable than traditional alternatives. Along with reduced tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting can be lessened also. But just confirm that the online school you pick is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then online classes may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Radiologic Tech Programs

Once you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of finding and assessing Galax VA x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be relevant. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be an important variable as well. But along with cost and location, what else should you look at when evaluating schools? 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 before you make your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you must ask the colleges you are assessing.

Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? A large number of xray tech colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still important to verify that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly respected 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 a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it might also receive 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. Along with ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Galax VA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the Virginia radiology tech schools you are assessing have associations with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great way to receive practical training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Galax VA healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Galax VA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will need to be within driving distance of their Galax VA residence. Those who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Galax VA schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program also.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the radiographer college you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Galax VA, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses 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 preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask radiographer prospects is "What made you choose radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming a radiology technician, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you must ready some strategies about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Radiology Technician School near Galax VA

Selecting the ideal x-ray technician college is a crucial first step toward launching a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs frequently stand for the majority of the day and move and in some cases lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety guidelines designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing social skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and furnish the best available patient care. As we have discussed in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each school you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection. This is equally true whether you participate in an online school or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each college so you can narrow down your options before making your final choice. And with the right training and your commitment to succeed, you can reach your goal to practice as a x-ray tech in Galax VA.

Some Background on Galax Virginia

Galax, Virginia

Galax /ˈɡeɪlæks/ is an independent city in the southwestern part of the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 7,042.[3] In 2015 the estimated population was 6,941.[4] The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Galax with neighboring Carroll County for statistical purposes. Galax is bounded to the northeast by Carroll County and to the southwest by Grayson County.

The area that later became Galax was part of an 800-acre (320 ha) land grant given to James Buchanan in 1756 by the English Crown. The first plat map for Galax is dated December 1903;[5] The town founders selected the site for the city on a wide expanse of meadowland bisected by Chestnut Creek and sitting at an altitude of 2,500 feet on a plateau.[6] The Virginia General Assembly officially chartered the town of Galax in 1906.[7] The town is named for Galax urceolata, an evergreen groundcover plant found throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains. At the time, the plant was gathered and sold by many people in southwestern Virginia and northwestern North Carolina as an ornamental plant; a Norfolk and Western Railway Company official suggested that the town be named for the plant.[7] The first Galax Agricultural Fair took place in September 1908, when Galax had 600 residents.[8]

In the past, Galax was an industrial town; by the 1960s, Galax was home to six furniture factories, a mirror factory, at least four textile companies, two large department stores, a lumber company, Carnation Milk, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and Clover Creamery.[8]

The Town of Galax was separated from Carroll and Grayson counties and became an independent city on December 6, 1953.[9]

In the 2000s, Galax and other small neighboring communities in southwestern Virginia joined with private businesses to create the Wired Road Authority, a public-private partnership that in 2009 created open-access, integrated regional broadband network with 100-megabit connections and in 2013 created gigabit connections. This was part of an economic-development effort.[10]