How to Select a Radiology Tech Program near Comstock Park Michigan

Congrats regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Comstock Park MI so you can become a radiology technologist. But now that you have chosen to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, just how do you set about choosing the ideal college and program to ensure that you will obtain the proper training to become a skilled professional? And because most states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you might need training to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the schools you are considering in order to evaluate each program. Many potential students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and typically gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location should be taken into consideration, there are additional important qualifiers as well. For example, you need to ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are examining are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic technician does and the degrees and training choices that are offered.

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X-Ray Tech Career Summary

There are multiple 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 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 the treatment of cancer. Some elect to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, such as mammography. They may practice in Comstock Park MI hospitals, clinics, 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 maintain their equipment plus regularly assess its functionality and safety. They are also expected to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Comstock Park MI health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Tech Degrees Available

The basic requirement for attending a radiology tech college is to have attained 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 common among technicians, 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 as much as four years to complete and is more extensive in scope. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that may be acceptable also. One thing to keep in mind is that Comstock Park MI radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Michigan or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiographer Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician school, depending on the state where you will be working you might need to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their requirements differ so check with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but many offer additional alternatives for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Comstock Park MI employers favor hiring radiology techs that have earned certification so it may enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technician Colleges

As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree colleges. So although you can still earn your degree online, a significant amount of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Practical training is often performed in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online portion of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Comstock Park MI home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree typically find that the online style of education is far more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online schools are generally cheaper than conventional alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be reduced as well. But just confirm that the online school you select is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online degree may be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask X Ray Tech Schools

Once you have decided on the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of looking for and assessing Comstock Park MI x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to decide if you want to attend online classes or drive to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be important. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be an important factor also. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you look at when evaluating schools? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details prior to making your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you must ask the colleges you are considering.

Are the X-Ray Tech Schools Accredited? A large number of radiology tech colleges have acquired some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still important to confirm that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed assessment 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. 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 programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Comstock Park MI health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level jobs.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out if the Michigan xray tech colleges you are assessing have partnerships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific means to receive hands on training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Comstock Park MI healthcare community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Comstock Park MI healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Comstock Park MI home. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. 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 need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large 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 probably want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Comstock Park MI 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 ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the radiographer  college you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Comstock Park MI, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become an Xray Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask radiographer applicants is "What made you pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should ready several approaches about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Pick the Best Radiology Tech Program near Comstock Park MI

Choosing the best x-ray tech college is a crucial first step toward beginning a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs frequently stand for the greater part of the day and move and at times lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other techs 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 possible patient care. As has been addressed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are assessing before making your final decision. This is equally true whether you opt for an online program or commute to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each college so you can narrow down your options and make your decision. And with the right education and your dedication to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Comstock Park MI.

Some Background on Comstock Park Michigan

 

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