How to Select a Radiology Tech Degree Program near Glassport Pennsylvania

Congratulations regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Glassport PA in order to learn to be a radiology technologist. But now that you have made a decision to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you go about choosing the right school and program so that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And considering that most states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you might require training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you investigate each of the schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Most prospective students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and usually settle on the most affordable cost. But while expense and location must be taken into account, there are additional significant qualifiers as well. For instance, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are considering are presented later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a x-ray technician does and the degrees and training options that are offered.

Radiology Tech Occupation Description

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, they all have the same principal job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many opt to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They can practice in Glassport PA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician may work with 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 plus frequently evaluate its performance and safety. They are also required to keep detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Glassport PA medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Tech Degree Options

The standard prerequisite for attending a radiology tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among techs, generally requires 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as 4 years to finish and is more comprehensive in scope. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be appropriate also. Something to consider is that Glassport PA radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can typically be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification requirements in Pennsylvania or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an Radiologist program, depending on the state where you will be practicing you may need to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their prerequisites vary so contact your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but a number provide other alternatives for testing also. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. However, many Glassport PA employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it might increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technician Colleges

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 even though you can still earn your degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is often performed in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online segment of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your Glassport PA residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree often find that the online approach to education is far more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are often more affordable than on-campus alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials may be lessened as well. But just be sure that the online school you select is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then online classes may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges

Once you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of searching for and assessing Glassport PA x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the school will be important. The price of tuition and secondary expenditures will be a material factor as well. But along with location and cost, what else should you look at when reviewing schools? Well, you should ask if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these important details before you make your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you must ask the schools you are considering.

Are the Radiology Tech Schools Accredited? A large number of radiology tech colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still imperative to verify that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous review of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Glassport PA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out if the Pennsylvania xray technician schools you are reviewing have associations with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to get hands on training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist graduates and students form professional connections in the Glassport PA healthcare community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Glassport PA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Glassport PA home. Students who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble 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 decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Glassport PA schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. 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 converse with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the x-ray tech  school you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Glassport PA, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Radiologic Technologist?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask radiographer prospects is "What made you choose radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must organize a number of strategies about how you want to respond to them. Since there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Radiology Tech Program near Glassport PA

Selecting the ideal x-ray technician degree program is a critical first step toward launching a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs frequently stand for the majority of the working day and position and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having social skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best available care to patients. As we have discussed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each school you are reviewing prior to making your final decision. This is equally 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 school so you can focus your choices before making your decision. And with the appropriate training and your motivation to be successful, you can realize your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Glassport PA.

Some Background on Glassport Pennsylvania

 

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