Accredited Radiology Tech Schools Lubbock TX 79401 Archives - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Select a Radiology Technician Program near Lubbock Texas

Lubbock TX x-ray tech internship program Congratulations regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Lubbock TX in order to train to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have chosen to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, just how do you undertake picking the right college and program to ensure that you will get the proper training to become a qualified practitioner? And since the majority of states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you might need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the colleges you are considering so that you can compare each program. Most potential students start by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and usually settle on the most affordable cost. But while location and cost should be taken into consideration, there are additional critical qualifications as well. For instance, you need to find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internships. These inquiries and others you should ask the schools you are examining are provided later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a x-ray tech does and the degrees and training options that are offered.

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Radiology Technician Job Summary

There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the same fundamental job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some choose to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for instance mammography. They can work in Lubbock TX clinics, hospitals, 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 plus routinely analyze its performance and safety. They are also required to keep detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Lubbock TX medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Tech Degrees

x-ray machine in Lubbock TX The standard requirement for attending an x-ray tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, usually takes 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to complete and is more expansive in nature. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are appropriate as well. Something to bear in mind is that Lubbock TX radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may often be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any certification or licensing mandates in Texas or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an Radiologist college, depending on the state where you will be practicing you may need to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their requirements differ so contact your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many accept other alternatives for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as a component of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. Having said that, many Lubbock TX employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it could increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Tech Colleges

attending x-ray tech school online in Lubbock 79401 As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree programs. So although you can still obtain your online degree, a considerable portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is usually performed in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online segment of the training can be attended in the comfort of your Lubbock TX residence. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree often discover that the online style of learning is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online schools are frequently cheaper than conventional alternatives. Along with reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be reduced also. But just make sure that the online program you pick is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then online classes may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Radiographer Schools

Once you have selected the type of degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of locating and assessing Lubbock TX x-ray tech schools. You will also need to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or drive to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be critical. The price of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a determining factor also. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you factor in when comparing colleges? Well, you need to check out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these important details before you make your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you need to ask the programs you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Programs Accredited? Most radiology tech colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to make sure that the program and school 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 earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous examination of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting organizations 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 assist in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Lubbock TX employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internships Provided? Find out if the Texas radiology tech schools you are assessing have associations with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to obtain practical experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist students and graduates form professional connections in the Lubbock TX health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the radiographer programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Lubbock TX healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Lubbock TX home. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online 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 keep in mind is that if you choose 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 normally 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 likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Lubbock TX schools you are researching 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 final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program also.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the x-ray tech school you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Lubbock TX, confirm that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

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

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask radiographer applicants is "What made you choose radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for being a radiology technician, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to organize some approaches about how you want to answer them. Given that there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt 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 leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Pick the Ideal Radiology Tech School near Lubbock TX

Picking the appropriate radiology technician school is an important first step toward launching a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical shape. Radiology techs regularly stand for the greater part of the workday and move and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best available care to patients. As has been discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are considering before making your ultimate 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 school so you can focus your options and make your decision. And with the right training and your dedication to be successful, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Lubbock TX.

Some Background on Lubbock Texas

Lubbock, Texas

Lubbock (/ˈlʌbək/ LUB-ək)[6] is a city in and the county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States.[7] The city is located in the northwestern part of the state, a region known historically and geographically as the Llano Estacado and ecologically is part of the southern end of the High Plains. According to a 2015 Census estimate, Lubbock had a population of 252,506.[1] making it the 83rd-most populous city in the United States of America and the 11th-most populous city in the state of Texas.[8][9] The city is the economic center of the Lubbock metropolitan area, which has a projected 2020 population of 327,424.[10]

Lubbock's nickname, "Hub City", derives from it being the economic, educational, and health care hub of the multicounty region, north of the Permian Basin and south of the Texas Panhandle, commonly called the South Plains.[11] The area is the largest contiguous cotton-growing region in the world[12][13] and is heavily dependent on water drawn from the Ogallala Aquifer for irrigation. Lubbock was selected as the 12th-best place to start a small business by CNNMoney.com.[14] CNN mentioned the city's traditional business atmosphere: low rent for commercial space, central location, and cooperative city government. Lubbock is home to Texas Tech University, the sixth-largest college by enrollment in the state. Lubbock High School has been recognized for three consecutive years by Newsweek as one of the top high schools in the United States based in part on its international baccalaureate program.[15]

Lubbock County was founded in 1876. It was named after Thomas Saltus Lubbock, former Texas Ranger and brother of Francis Lubbock, governor of Texas during the Civil War.[16] As early as 1884, a U.S. post office existed in Yellow House Canyon. A small town, known as Old Lubbock, Lubbock, or North Town, was established about three miles to the east. In 1890, the original Lubbock merged with Monterey, another small town south of the canyon. The new town adopted the Lubbock name. The merger included moving the original Lubbock's Nicolett Hotel across the canyon on rollers to the new townsite. Lubbock became the county seat in 1891,[17] and was incorporated on March 16, 1909. In the same year, the first railroad train arrived.

Texas Technological College (now Texas Tech University) was founded in Lubbock in 1923. A separate university, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, opened as Texas Tech University School of Medicine in 1969. Both universities are now overseen by the Texas Tech University System, after it was established in 1996 and based in Lubbock. Lubbock Christian University, founded in 1957, and Sunset International Bible Institute, both affiliated with the Churches of Christ, have their main campuses in the city. South Plains College and Wayland Baptist University operate branch campuses in Lubbock.

At one time, Lubbock was home to Reese Air Force Base located 6 mi (10 km) west of the city. Established in August 1941, during the defense build-up prior to World War II (1941-1945), by the United States Department of War and the U.S. Army as Lubbock Army Airfield. It served the old U.S. Army Air Forces, and later the U.S. Air Force, after reorganization and establishment in 1947. The U.S.A.F. base's primary mission throughout its existence was pilot training. The base was closed 30 September 1997 after being selected for closure by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission in 1995 and is now a research and business park called Reese Technology Center.