How to Select an Xray Tech Program near Calumet Michigan
Best wishes on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Calumet MI so you can become a radiologic technician. And now that you have chosen to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you set about picking the right school and program to ensure that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And because the majority of states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you may need training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you assess each of the colleges you are considering so that you can compare each program. Many potential students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and typically gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location need to be considered, there are other significant qualifiers also. For example, you need to ask if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you must ask the schools you are examining are presented later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray technician does and the degrees and training options that are offered.
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Radiology Tech Career Description
There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, they all have the same fundamental 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 perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for example mammography. They may practice in Calumet MI hospitals, clinics, 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 care for their equipment and also routinely evaluate its functionality and safety. They are also required to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Calumet MI health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
Radiology Tech Degrees Offered
The basic prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech college is to have received 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 common among techs, normally requires 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as 4 years to finish and is more comprehensive in nature. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are appropriate as well. Something to consider is that Calumet MI radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It can typically be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which many colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing mandates in Michigan or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
Radiologic Technologist Licensing and Certification
Once you have graduated from an Radiologist school, depending on the state where you will be employed you may have to be licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites differ so check with your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but several provide additional options for testing as well. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, many Calumet MI employers will only hire radiology techs that are certified so it may increase 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 rigorous exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every 2 years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.
Online Radiology Technologist Schools
As a part 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 obtain your degree online, a considerable amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is often conducted in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online portion of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Calumet MI residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree usually discover that the online approach to learning is far more practical with their active schedules. Plus online schools are frequently more affordable than on-campus options. Along with lower tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting can be decreased also. But just make sure 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 online classes may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Radiology Tech Schools
When you have decided on the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of finding and assessing Calumet MI x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to decide if you want to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a determining variable also. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you look at when comparing colleges? Well, you should check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details before you make your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you must ask the schools you are looking at.
Are the X-Ray Technician Programs Accredited? Most radiology tech schools have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to confirm 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). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed examination of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Calumet MI health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level positions.
Are Internships Provided? Ask if the Michigan radiology technician schools you are reviewing have partnerships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to obtain hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Calumet MI healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are reviewing 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 good relationships with Calumet MI healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Calumet MI residence. Students who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Calumet MI colleges you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the x-ray tech program you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Calumet MI, make certain 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 need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Why Did You Choose to Become a Radiologic Technologist?
When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask radiographer candidates is "What made you pick radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming a radiology technician, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare some ideas about how you want to respond to them. Since there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.Enroll in the Best X-Ray Technician College near Calumet MI
Selecting the ideal radiology technician college is a critical first step toward initiating a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs frequently stand for the greater part of the working day and move and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and provide the best possible patient care. As has been discussed in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each school you are reviewing before making your final selection. This is similarly true whether you participate in an online school or drive to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can analyze and compare each college so you can narrow down your options and make your decision. And with the appropriate training and your commitment to be successful, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Calumet MI.
Some Background on Calumet Michigan
Calumet, Michigan
Calumet (/kæl.juːˈmɛt/ kal-ew-MET) is a village in Calumet Township, Houghton County, in the U.S. state of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, that was once at the center of the mining industry of the Upper Peninsula. Also known as Red Jacket, the village includes the Calumet Downtown Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The village may itself be included within the Calumet Historic District, a larger area which is NRHP-listed and which is a National Historic Landmark District. It is bordered on the north by Calumet Township, on the south by the unincorporated town of New Town and Blue Jacket,[6][7] on the east by Blue Jacket and Calumet Township, and on the west by Yellow Jacket and Calumet Township. The population was 726 at the 2010 census. Calumet's nickname is Copper Town U.S.A.
What is now Calumet was settled in 1864, originally under the name of "Red Jacket",[9] named for a Native American Chief of the Seneca tribe. Until 1895 the name "Calumet" was used by the nearby town of Laurium, Michigan; present day Calumet was not legally named so until 1929.
Red Jacket grew due to the copper mines in the area. It was incorporated as a town in 1867. The copper mines were particularly rich; the Boston-based Calumet and Hecla Mining Company produced more than half of the USA's copper from 1871 through 1880.[10] In addition to copper mining and smelting, the region also supported the dairy industry and truck farming. Many immigrants (from Poland, etc.) settled there in the late 19th century.[11]
By 1900, Red Jacket had a population of 4,668, and Calumet Township, which contained Red Jacket and nearby mining towns, had a population of 25,991. However, in 1913, Red Jacket suffered from the Copper Country Strike of 1913-1914, and the population began to decline. In the same year, the town was the site of the Italian Hall Disaster. Striking miners and their families were gathered on Christmas Eve for a party in Italian Hall, when the cry of "fire" precipitated a stampede that crushed or suffocated seventy-three victims, the majority of them children. The identity of the person(s) who started the stampede has never been determined. Folk singer Woody Guthrie's song, "1913 Massacre", is based on this event.
Loss of wartime demand caused the copper price to drop following World War I. With the decreased demand for copper, thousands left Red Jacket in the 1920s, many moving to Detroit, Michigan where the automobile industry was booming.
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