How to Pick a Radiologic Technician School in South Carolina
Congrats regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school in South Carolina so you can learn to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have chosen to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, just how do you go about picking the ideal school and program so that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a qualified practitioner? And considering that most states do require that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you subsequently practice you might require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the colleges you are considering in order to compare each program. Many potential students start by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and frequently settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location should be taken into account, there are additional critical qualifiers also. For example, you need to find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are examining are presented later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray technician does and the credentials and education options that are offered.
Radiology Tech Work Summary
There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, each has the identical fundamental job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many opt to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for instance mammography. They can work in South Carolina hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech might utilize include:
- Traditional and specialized X-Rays
- Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Sonography or ultrasound
- Fluoroscopy
Radiographers must maintain their equipment plus frequently assess its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As South Carolina health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
X-Ray Tech Degrees Offered
The standard prerequisite for attending a radiology tech college is to have earned 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 common among technicians, usually takes 18 months to two years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as four years to finish and is more extensive in scope. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be acceptable as well. Something to consider is that South Carolina radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by participating in an externship program which many colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their region. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification requirements in South Carolina or the state you will be working as applicable.
X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing
Once you have graduated from an Radiologist school, depending on the state where you will be employed you might have to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites differ so check with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but a number offer additional alternatives for testing as well. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, many South Carolina employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it may enhance your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.
Online X-Ray Technologist Degrees
As a component of any degree program, South Carolina x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree programs. So while you can still obtain your online degree, a significant portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is typically provided in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online section of the training can be attended in the comfort of your South Carolina residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree typically find that the online style of education is far more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online programs are generally less costly than traditional alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials may be reduced also. But just make sure that the online program you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online degree may be the best option for you.
Topics to Ask Radiology Tech Schools
When you have chosen the kind of degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of looking for and assessing South Carolina x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to decide if you want to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenses will be an important variable also. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you consider when comparing schools? Well, you need to check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these essential details prior to making your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are assessing.
Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? Most radiology tech schools have earned some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still important to make sure 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 examination of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged 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 getting financial assistance 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 South Carolina employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level positions.
Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the South Carolina radiology technician programs you are evaluating have associations with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific way to receive hands on training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help students and graduates establish professional connections in the South Carolina health care community and assist with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the radiographer programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with South Carolina healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their South Carolina home. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to bear 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 may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the South Carolina colleges you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program also.
Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the x-ray tech school you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in South Carolina, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Enroll in the Right Radiology Technician School in South Carolina
Enrolling in the appropriate x-ray technician college is a critical first step toward initiating a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs often stand for the majority of the working day and move and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and deliver the best possible patient care. As has been covered in this report, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are considering before making your final decision. This is similarly true whether you participate in an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each college so you can narrow down your choices before making your decision. And with the proper training and your motivation to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a x-ray tech in South Carolina.