Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Highland Springs VA 23075

How to Choose a Radiology Technician Degree Program near Highland Springs Virginia

Highland Springs VA x-ray tech internship program Best wishes on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Highland Springs VA in order to train to be a radiology technician. But now that you have made a decision to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you go about selecting the right college and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled professional? And because the majority of states do require that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s essential that you assess each of the schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. A number of students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and often gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location should be taken into account, there are other significant qualifications as well. For example, you need to ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are examining are provided later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray technician does and the degrees and training choices that are offered.

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X-Ray Technician Occupation Summary

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, they all have the same major job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many elect to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for example mammography. They can practice in Highland Springs VA hospitals, clinics, private 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 have to care for their equipment and regularly analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally required to retain detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Highland Springs VA health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Highland Springs VA The basic prerequisite for attending a radiology tech college is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, usually requires 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finish and is more comprehensive in nature. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are appropriate as well. One thing to bear in mind is that Highland Springs VA radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can frequently be satisfied by taking part in an internship or externship program which many schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing requirements in Virginia or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an Radiologist school, depending on the state where you will be practicing you may have to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their requirements differ 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 many offer additional options for testing as well. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. However, many Highland Springs VA employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every other year, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technologist Schools

attending x-ray tech school online in Highland Springs 23075 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree schools. So although you can still earn your degree online, a large portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Clinical training is often provided in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online portion of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Highland Springs VA residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree often discover that the online approach to education is much more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are frequently less costly than on-campus alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting may be decreased also. But just make certain that the online school you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then online classes may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Radiologic Tech Colleges

When you have decided on the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can start the process of finding and evaluating Highland Springs VA x-ray tech schools. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the college will be critical. The cost of tuition and secondary expenses will be a determining variable also. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you consider when evaluating colleges? Well, you need to ask if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details before you make your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you must ask the programs you are reviewing.

Are the Radiology Tech Colleges Accredited? Most radiology tech schools have acquired some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still important to make sure that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous review of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Highland Springs VA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level openings.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out if the Virginia xray tech programs you are reviewing have partnerships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to get practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can help graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Highland Springs VA medical community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Highland Springs VA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will have to be within driving distance of their Highland Springs VA residence. Those who have decided 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 bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Highland Springs VA schools you are looking at what the average 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 speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the radiographer school you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Highland Springs VA, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Choose to Become an Xray Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask radiographer prospects is "What drove you to decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to radiography, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must ready a number of strategies about how you want to address them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain 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 enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Best X-Ray Tech Program near Highland Springs VA

Picking the ideal radiology technician school is a crucial first step toward starting a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. Radiology techs regularly stand for the greater part of the working day and position and sometimes lift the patient to get the proper image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology techs 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 good work environment and deliver the best available care to patients. As we have covered in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are reviewing before making your final decision. This is equally true whether you participate in an online school or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can examine and compare each program so you can focus your choices before making your decision. And with the appropriate education and your motivation to be successful, you can achieve your goal to work as a radiology tech in Highland Springs VA.

Some Background on Highland Springs Virginia

Highland Springs, Virginia

Highland Springs is a census-designated place located 5 miles East of Richmond,VA (CDP) in Henrico County, Virginia, United States. The population was 15,711 at the 2010 census.[3]

Edmund Sewell Read founded the community of Highland Springs in the 1890s as a streetcar suburb of Richmond on the Seven Pines Railway Company's electric street railway line between the city and the National Cemetery at Seven Pines. There, many Union dead were interred, primarily as a result of battles nearby during the Civil War (1861–1865), most notably during the Peninsula Campaign of 1862. The potential traffic of visiting families to the Richmond area from out-of-town needing transportation to and from the cemetery was a motivating factor for inception of the new street railway.

Read came to the area from Boston in hopes of finding a suitable climate for his ailing wife. The natural springs in the area made it a suitable choice for the Read family, and apparently an inspiration for the new name.

Approximately mid-way along the new streetcar route from Richmond through eastern Henrico County, Read bought a 1,000-acre (400 ha) tract of land and divided it into lots. He laid out along the main street which was the pre-existing Nine Mile Road, new cross streets named in alphabetical order after plants, beginning from the west: Ash, Beech, Cedar, Daisy, Elm, Fern, Grove, Holly, Ivy, Juniper, Kalmia, Linden, Maple, Oak, Pine, Quince, Rose, and Spruce. One block south of and parallel to the Nine Mile Road, Read Street was named for its founder, Edmund Sewell Read.

The Sewells' large brick home is situated on the south side of Nine Mile Road between Grove and Holly, with Read Street to its rear. Today it serves as a medical office complex.