Utah Archives - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Choose a Radiology Technician College near South Jordan Utah

South Jordan UT x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near South Jordan UT so you can train to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have chosen to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you set about selecting the right school and program so that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a qualified practitioner? And considering that the majority of states do mandate that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you might need preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you research each of the schools you are considering in order to compare each program. Most students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and frequently gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while location and cost should be taken into account, there are other important qualifications also. For instance, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the schools you are reviewing are presented later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a radiology technician does and the degrees and training choices that are offered.

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X-Ray Technician Work Summary

There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, they all have the identical primary job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many choose to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for instance mammography. They can practice in South Jordan UT hospitals, clinics, 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 maintain their equipment plus routinely assess its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to keep detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As South Jordan UT health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Tech Degrees

x-ray machine in South Jordan UT The primary prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, usually takes 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 4 years to finish and is more expansive in nature. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are appropriate also. One thing to bear in mind is that South Jordan UT radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may typically be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which many schools sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Utah or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an Radiologist school, based on the state where you will be employed you may need to become licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary so check with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but a number offer other options for testing also. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, numerous South Jordan UT employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it could improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every 2 years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technologist Classes

attending x-ray tech school online in South Jordan 84095 As a part of any 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 while you can still earn your degree online, a large portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is usually conducted in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online portion of the training can be attended in the privacy of your South Jordan UT home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree usually find that the online style of learning is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online colleges are often less expensive than conventional options. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be lessened as well. But just confirm that the online school you select is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online degree may be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Radiologic Tech Programs

When you have selected the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of finding and evaluating South Jordan UT x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or drive to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the college will be relevant. The price of tuition and supplementary expenses will be a material factor also. But along with cost and location, what more should you consider when reviewing colleges? Well, you should find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these essential details before you make your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are assessing.

Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? A large number of radiology tech colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still important to make sure that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive assessment of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of South Jordan UT health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level positions.

Are Internships Provided? Find out if the Utah xray tech colleges you are interested in have partnerships with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to get practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist graduates and students establish professional relationships in the South Jordan UT health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the radiographer schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with South Jordan UT healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they select will have to be within commuting distance of their South Jordan UT residence. Students who have chosen 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 concern. Something to keep 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 usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the South Jordan UT schools you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the x-ray tech school you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in South Jordan UT, make certain 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 need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Desire to Be an X-Ray Tech?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask radiographer applicants is "What compelled you to decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for being a radiology technician, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must organize a number of approaches about how you want to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Pick the Ideal X-Ray Tech College near South Jordan UT

Picking the ideal radiology tech school is a crucial first step toward initiating a satisfying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs often stand for the majority of the working day and move and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with the safety requirements developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing social skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best available patient care. As has been covered in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at before making your final decision. This is just as true whether you enroll in an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each program so you can focus your options before making your decision. And with the right training and your commitment to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in South Jordan UT.

Some Background on South Jordan Utah

South Jordan, Utah

South Jordan is a city in south central Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. The city lies in the Salt Lake Valley between the 9,000-foot (2,700 m) peaks of the Oquirrh Mountains and the 12,000-foot (3,700 m) peaks of the Wasatch Mountains and is part of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. The Jordan River flows through the middle of the valley and the city has a 3.5-mile (5.6 km) section of the Jordan River Parkway that contains fishing ponds, trails, parks and natural habitat. Salt Lake County fair grounds and equestrian park, 67-acre (27 ha) Oquirrh Lake and 27 other parks are located inside the city. As of the 2010 Census, its population was 50,418.

The city was founded 18 miles (29 km) south of Salt Lake City along the banks of the Jordan River in 1859 by Mormon settlers. An agrarian town for most of its history, today it is a rapidly growing bedroom community of Salt Lake City. Kennecott Land, a land development company, has recently begun construction on the master-planned Daybreak Community for the entire western half of South Jordan. Daybreak could potentially double South Jordan's population. South Jordan is the first city in the world with two temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Jordan River Utah Temple and Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple). The city has two TRAX light rail stops, as well as one commuter rail stop on the FrontRunner. South Jordan is also a growing tech hub with headquarters of companies like IT software company, Ivanti

The first known inhabitants were members of the Desert Archaic Culture who were nomadic hunter-gatherers. From 400 A.D. to around 1350 A.D., the Fremont people settled into villages and farmed corn and squash.[5] Changes in climatic conditions to a cooler, drier period and the movement into the area of ancestors of the Ute, Paiute, and Shoshone, led to the disappearance of the Fremont people.[6] When European settlers arrived, there were no permanent Native American settlements in the Salt Lake Valley, but the area bordered several tribes – the territory of the Northwestern Shoshone to the north,[7] the Timpanogots band of the Utes to the south in Utah Valley,[8] and the Goshutes to the west in Tooele Valley.[9]

The only recorded trapper to lead a party through the area was Étienne Provost, a French Canadian. In October 1824, Provost's party was lured into an Indian camp somewhere along the Jordan River north of Utah Lake. The people responsible for the attack were planning revenge against Provost's party for an earlier unexplained incident involving other trappers. Provost escaped, but his men were caught off-guard and fifteen of them were killed.[10]

On July 22, 1847, an advanced party of the first Mormon pioneers entered the valley and immediately began to irrigate land and explore the area with a view to establishing new settlements.[11] Alexander Beckstead, a blacksmith from Ontario, Canada, moved his family to the West Jordan area in 1849, and became the first of his trade in the south Salt Lake Valley. He helped dig the first ditch to divert water from the Jordan River, powering Archibald Gardner's flour mill.[12] In 1859, Beckstead became the first settler of South Jordan by moving his family along the Jordan River where they lived in a dugout cut into the west bluffs above the river.[13] The flood plain of the Jordan was level, and could be cleared for farming if a ditch was constructed to divert river water along the base of the west bluff. Beckstead and others created the 2.5-mile (4.0 km) "Beckstead Ditch",[14] parts of which are still in use as of 2010[update].