Accredited Radiology Technician Programs Hopewell VA 23860 Archives

How to Choose an X-Ray Technician College near Hopewell Virginia

Hopewell VA x-ray tech internship program Congrats on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Hopewell VA in order to learn to be a radiologic technician. But now that you have chosen to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you go about picking the ideal college and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a qualified practitioner? And because the majority of states do mandate that x-ray technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you may require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you investigate each of the colleges you are considering in order to evaluate each program. A number of students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and usually gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while location and cost must be considered, there are other significant qualifications as well. For instance, you must ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are reviewing are provided later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a radiologic technician does and the degrees and training options that are available.

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X-Ray Technician Career Description

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, they all have the same major job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many choose to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for example mammography. They can practice in Hopewell VA clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech may work with 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 and also routinely analyze its performance and safety. They are also required to retain in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Hopewell VA health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Tech Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Hopewell VA The primary requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech school 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 typical among technicians, generally takes 18 months to two years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as 4 years to complete and is more extensive in nature. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be appropriate as well. Something to keep in mind is that Hopewell VA radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can frequently be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing mandates in Virginia or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Licensing and Certification

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, based on the state where you will be employed you may have to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites differ so contact your state. Currently, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many approve additional alternatives for testing also. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, numerous Hopewell VA employers favor hiring radiology techs that have earned certification so it may improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technologist Colleges

attending x-ray tech school online in Hopewell 23860 As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree colleges. So although you can still earn your degree online, a large amount of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is usually conducted in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online segment of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your Hopewell VA residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree usually discover that the online approach to education is far more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are generally less expensive than on-campus options. Along with reduced tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting can be reduced also. But just make certain that the online program you pick is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online school may be the right option for you.

What to Ask X Ray Tech Programs

When you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of searching for and assessing Hopewell VA x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be important. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be an important factor as well. But along with cost and location, what else should you look at when evaluating schools? Well, you should ask if the schools 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 programs you are considering.

Are the Radiology Tech Schools Accredited? The majority of radiology technician colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to verify that the program and school 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 receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed assessment of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Hopewell VA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level openings.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out if the Virginia radiology tech programs you are evaluating have relationships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great manner to get hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are also a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help graduates and students establish professional connections in the Hopewell VA medical community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Hopewell VA 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 need to be within commuting distance of their Hopewell VA residence. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Hopewell VA schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. 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 some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the x-ray tech college you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Hopewell VA, check that they are available. 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 carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

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

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask radiographer applicants is "What made you pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should ready a number of ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Pick the Best X-Ray Technician Program near Hopewell VA

Enrolling in the right radiology technician school is an important first step toward launching a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs typically stand for the greater part of the day and move and sometimes lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and deliver the best available patient care. As has been discussed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each program you are looking at prior to making your final decision. This is just as true whether you enroll in an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each college so you can focus your options and make your decision. And with the proper education and your motivation to be successful, you can achieve your goal to work as a radiographer in Hopewell VA.

Some Background on Hopewell Virginia

Hopewell, Virginia

Hopewell is an independent city within Prince George County in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 22,591.[3] The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Hopewell with Prince George County for statistical purposes.

Hopewell is in the Tri-Cities area of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).

The city was founded to take advantage of its site overlooking the James and Appomattox Rivers. City Point, the oldest part of Hopewell, was established in 1613 by Sir Thomas Dale. It was first known as "Bermuda City," which was changed to Charles City, lengthened to Charles City Point, and later abbreviated to City Point. (At this time, Bermuda, the Atlantic archipelago, was considered part of the Colony of Virginia and appeared on its maps.) Hopewell/City Point is the oldest continuously inhabited English settlement in the United States, Jamestown no longer being inhabited.

"Charles City Point" was in Charles City Shire when the first eight shires were established in the Colony of Virginia in 1634. Charles City Shire soon became known as Charles City County in 1637. In 1619 Samuel Sharpe and Samuel Jordan from City Point, then named Charles City, were burgesses at the first meeting of the House of Burgesses.

The burgesses separated an area of the county south of the river, including City Point, establishing it separately as Prince George County in 1703. City Point was an unincorporated town in Prince George County until the City of Hopewell annexed the Town of City Point in 1923.