Accredited Radiology Tech Schools Southeastern PA 19397 Archives

How to Select an X-Ray Tech Program near Southeastern Pennsylvania

Southeastern PA x-ray tech internship program Congratulations regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Southeastern PA in order to become a radiology technologist. But now that you have chosen to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, exactly how do you set about choosing the ideal school and program so that you will receive the proper training to become a qualified professional? And since the majority of states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you may require training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you research each of the colleges you are looking at in order to compare each program. Many prospective students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and often settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location must be taken into account, there are other significant qualifiers also. For example, you should ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the schools you are reviewing are provided later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic tech does and the degrees and training options that are available.

Radiology Technician Career Description

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the same primary job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize 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 others may choose a specialty, for example mammography. They may practice in Southeastern PA hospitals, clinics, private 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 take care of their equipment and also frequently evaluate its functionality and safety. They are also expected to keep detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Southeastern PA health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Southeastern PA The basic prerequisite for attending a radiology tech college is to have earned 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 typical among techs, normally requires 18 months to two years to finish depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to four years to finish and is more extensive in scope. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be acceptable as well. One thing to consider is that Southeastern PA radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can typically be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which many colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Pennsylvania or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an X-Ray tech school, based on the state where you will be practicing you might have to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites differ so contact your state. Currently, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but many accept other options for testing as well. Some states also require certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. However, many Southeastern PA employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it could improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technologist Classes

attending x-ray tech school online in Southeastern 19397 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree colleges. So while you can still obtain your degree online, a large amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Practical training is typically provided in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online section of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Southeastern PA residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree often discover that the online style of education is far more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are generally less expensive than traditional alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting may be lessened as well. But just be sure that the online school you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online school may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask X Ray Tech Colleges

As soon as you have decided on the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of locating and evaluating Southeastern PA x-ray tech schools. You will also need to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be relevant. The price of tuition and supplementary expenses will be a material variable as well. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you look at when reviewing colleges? Well, you should ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these essential details prior to making your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are looking at.

Are the X-Ray Tech Colleges Accredited? Most xray technician colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to verify 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 an extensive assessment of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Southeastern PA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level positions.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out if the Pennsylvania radiology tech colleges you are reviewing have partnerships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to obtain hands on training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help graduates and students develop professional connections in the Southeastern PA health care community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Southeastern PA healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Southeastern PA home. Students who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to bear 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 might have 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 Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Southeastern PA colleges you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few 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 confirm that the radiographer college you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Southeastern PA, confirm that they are available. 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 have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Want to Become a Radiologic Technologist?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers often ask radiographer prospects is "What compelled you to select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare some approaches about how you want to address them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the talents you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Right X-Ray Technician School near Southeastern PA

Picking the ideal radiology technician college is an important first step toward launching a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. Radiology techs regularly stand for the greater part of the working day and position and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with 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 social skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and deliver the best available patient care. As has been covered in this report, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you decide on an online school or commute to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each program so you can narrow down your choices and make your decision. And with the right training and your commitment to be successful, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Southeastern PA.

Some Background on Southeastern Pennsylvania

HealthShare Exchange of Southeastern PA

HealthShare Exchange (HSX ) is a membership-dues-supported nonprofit health information exchange formed in 2009 and incorporated in 2012 by Greater Philadelphia’s hospitals, health systems, and healthcare insurers.[1][2] It links the electronic medical record (EMR) systems of different hospital health systems and other healthcare providers — and the claims data of healthcare insurers — to make this information accessible at inpatient and outpatient points of care (including medical practice offices) and for care management. HSX services provide recent clinical care information, and alert providers and health plans to care events.[2] Health information exchange makes patient care more informed and coordinated, and reduces unnecessary care and readmissions. HSX serves the greater Delaware Valley region, including southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.[2]

As a result of the federal Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act and other regional healthcare drivers, local planning for HSX began in the summer of 2011. The Health Care Improvement Foundation (HCIF), a regional quality improvement non-profit organization, joined with hospitals, health plans, physicians, government representatives, and safety-net providers to explore how a formalized health information organization could enable better care for patients in the region.[2]

Resulting from a number of healthcare market drivers and challenges, HealthShare Exchange was formed as a collaboration among major healthcare stakeholders, including health plans and the acute care hospitals across the five-county region of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.[3]

In May 2016, HSX was awarded a portion of a $3.8 million grant by the Pennsylvania eHealth Partnership Authority, which receives its funding through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services runs an EHR incentive program that requires its participants to exchange health data in order to receive incentive payments.[4]

HSX members include hospitals, health systems, ambulatory care practices, behavioral health organizations, health plans, and post-acute care facilities.[1]