How to Pick a Radiology Tech Degree Program near Catawba North Carolina

Congratulations regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Catawba NC in order to become a radiologic technologist. And now that you have made a decision to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you go about selecting the right college and program so that you will obtain the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that most states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you might require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you research each of the schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Many potential students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and often gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location need to be considered, there are other critical qualifiers also. For instance, you should ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are evaluating are presented later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic technician does and the credentials and training options that are available.

Radiology Technician Job Description

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the identical primary job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some choose to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, such as mammography. They can work in Catawba NC clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist may utilize include:

• Traditional and specialized X-Rays
• Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Sonography or ultrasound
• Fluoroscopy

Radiographers have to take care of their equipment and routinely assess its performance and safety. They are also required to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Catawba NC medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Tech Degrees

The basic prerequisite for attending an x-ray tech college is to have attained 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 prevalent among techs, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finish and is more comprehensive in scope. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that are acceptable also. Something to consider is that Catawba NC radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by taking part in an externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing requirements in North Carolina or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an X-Ray tech school, based on the state where you will be employed you might need to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their requirements vary so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but a number approve additional options for testing also. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, many Catawba NC employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it could increase 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 examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technologist Programs

As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree colleges. So while you can still obtain your degree online, a significant portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Clinical training is typically carried out in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online portion of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your Catawba NC home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree usually discover that the online style of education is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online programs are generally less costly than conventional options. In addition to lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be reduced also. But just be sure that the online college you pick is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online degree may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges

As soon as you have decided on the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can start the process of locating and evaluating Catawba NC x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or drive to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and secondary expenses will be a material factor as well. But along with location and cost, what else should you factor in when comparing colleges? Well, you need to check out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details before you make your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you need to ask the programs you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Tech Colleges Accredited? The majority of xray technician schools have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still important to make sure that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous examination of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. 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 quality education, accreditation will also help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Catawba NC employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the North Carolina radiology tech colleges you are assessing have partnerships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great manner to obtain practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help students and graduates form professional connections in the Catawba NC healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Catawba NC healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Catawba NC home. Those who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Catawba NC colleges you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the x-ray tech  school you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Catawba NC, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Radiologic Technologist?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers often ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for being an X-Ray tech, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you must ready some strategies about how you would like to address them. Because there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Right Radiology Technician Program near Catawba NC

Choosing the best radiology tech school is a critical first step toward launching a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs typically stand for the majority of the day and move and in some cases lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having social skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and furnish the best possible care to patients. As has been discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are considering prior to making your final selection. This is just as true whether you opt for an online program or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each school so you can narrow down your choices before making your final choice. And with the right training and your commitment to succeed, you can realize your goal to work as a radiology tech in Catawba NC.

Some Background on Catawba North Carolina

 

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