How to Choose an Xray Tech School near Huntingdon Valley Pennsylvania

Best wishes regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Huntingdon Valley PA so you can learn to be a radiologic technician. But now that you have decided to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, just how do you tackle picking the right school and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And because most states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you might need preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you research each of the colleges you are considering in order to compare each program. A number of potential students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and usually gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while location and cost need to be taken into consideration, there are other important qualifiers also. For instance, you need to ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are evaluating are provided later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray technician does and the credentials and training options that are offered.

X-Ray Technician Job Summary

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, they all have the same principal job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many choose to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, such as mammography. They can work in Huntingdon Valley PA hospitals, clinics, family 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 care for their equipment and also regularly assess its performance and safety. They are also expected to retain complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Huntingdon Valley PA medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Tech Degrees Available

The standard requirement for enrolling in an x-ray tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, generally requires 18 months to two years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to finish and is more extensive in scope. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that are appropriate also. One thing to bear in mind is that Huntingdon Valley PA radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It may often be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which many schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their area. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Pennsylvania or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an Radiologist college, based on the state where you will be practicing you may need to become licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but a number provide additional options for testing also. A number of states also require certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Huntingdon Valley PA employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it might increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Tech Degrees

As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree programs. So while you can still obtain your degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Clinical training is typically conducted in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online portion of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your Huntingdon Valley PA home. Students who continue working while earning their degree usually discover that the online style of education is much more practical with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are generally less expensive than conventional options. In addition to lower tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be lessened also. But just confirm that the online college you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then online classes may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask X Ray Tech Schools

When you have chosen the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of finding and evaluating Huntingdon Valley PA x-ray tech schools. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or travel to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be important. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenses will be a determining variable as well. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you factor in when evaluating colleges? Well, you should find out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these crucial details before you make your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Schools Accredited? The majority of radiology tech colleges have earned some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still crucial to confirm that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly regarded 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 undergone an extensive assessment of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial aid and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Huntingdon Valley PA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level jobs.

Are Internships Provided? Find out if the Pennsylvania xray tech colleges you are evaluating have associations with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a great means to obtain practical training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help students and graduates form professional connections in the Huntingdon Valley PA medical community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the x-ray tech 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 great relationships with Huntingdon Valley PA healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they select will need to be within driving distance of their Huntingdon Valley PA home. Students who have chosen 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 concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might 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 don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Huntingdon Valley PA colleges you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the x-ray tech  school you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Huntingdon Valley PA, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

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

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming a radiology technician, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must ready several strategies about how you want to address them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the talents you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal X-Ray Technician School near Huntingdon Valley PA

Picking the best radiology technician degree program is an important first step toward initiating a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical shape. Radiology techs regularly stand for the majority of the workday and move and at times lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and furnish the best possible care to patients. As we have covered in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each school you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision. This is just as true whether you enroll in an online school or commute to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each program so you can focus your options and make your final choice. And with the appropriate education and your motivation to succeed, you can achieve your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Huntingdon Valley PA.

Some Background on Huntingdon Valley Pennsylvania

 

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