Accredited Radiology Technician Programs Reston VA 20190 Archives

How to Choose an Xray Technician College near Reston Virginia

Reston VA x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Reston VA in order to learn to be a radiology technologist. And now that you have decided to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, just how do you set about selecting the right college and program so that you will receive the proper training to become a qualified practitioner? And considering that the majority of states do mandate that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you may require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s imperative that you investigate each of the colleges you are considering so that you can compare each program. Many potential students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and typically gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while location and cost need to be taken into consideration, there are additional critical qualifiers also. For instance, you need to find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are examining are provided later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a radiology tech does and the credentials and training options that are offered.

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Radiology Tech Career Summary

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the identical primary job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some opt to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They may work in Reston VA clinics, hospitals, private 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 maintain their equipment and regularly evaluate its performance and safety. They are additionally required to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Reston VA health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Available

x-ray machine in Reston VA The standard requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech program is to have received 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 prevalent among techs, usually requires 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finish and is more comprehensive in nature. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be acceptable also. One thing to keep in mind is that Reston VA radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can often be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which many schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Virginia or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, depending on the state where you will be working you may need to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so contact your state. Currently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but several approve other alternatives for testing also. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. However, many Reston VA employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technician Colleges

attending x-ray tech school online in Reston 20190 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree colleges. So although you can still obtain your online degree, a significant amount of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is typically performed in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online portion of the training can be attended in the comfort of your Reston VA home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree typically discover that the online style of learning is far more practical with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are often less costly than on-campus alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials can be decreased as well. But just confirm that the online program you select 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 online classes may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Radiographer Schools

Once you have chosen the kind of degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of locating and assessing Reston VA x-ray tech schools. You will also need to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or travel to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be important. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be an important variable as well. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you look at when reviewing schools? Well, you need to ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these crucial details before you make your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you must ask the colleges you are considering.

Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? A large number of radiology technician colleges have earned some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still imperative to make sure 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 receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed review of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Reston VA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the Virginia xray technician colleges you are reviewing have associations with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great manner to obtain hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help students and graduates form professional connections in the Reston VA healthcare community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Reston VA healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Reston VA home. Those who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something 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 have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Reston VA schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the radiographer program you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Reston VA, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

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

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to decide on radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare some approaches about how you want to answer them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to 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 several concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Best X-Ray Technician Program near Reston VA

Selecting the ideal radiology technician school is a critical first step toward beginning a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs frequently stand for the majority of the day and move and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray 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 good work environment and furnish the best available patient care. As has been covered in this report, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are considering before making your ultimate selection. This is similarly true whether you decide on an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can examine and compare each school so you can narrow down your choices and make your decision. And with the proper training and your commitment to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as a radiographer in Reston VA.

Some Background on Reston Virginia

Reston, Virginia

Reston is a census-designated place (CDP) in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The population was 58,404 at the 2010 census.[3] An internationally known planned community founded in 1964, it was built with the goal of revolutionizing post–World War II concepts of land use and residential/corporate development in suburban America.[4] The Reston Town Center is home to many businesses, with high-rise and low-rise commercial buildings that are home to shops, restaurants, offices, a cinema, and a hotel. It comprises over 1,000,000 square feet (93,000 m2) of office space.[5] Municipal, government-like services are provided by the nonprofit Reston Association, which is supported by a per-household fee for all residential properties in Reston. In 2017, Reston was ranked 29th in the Best Places to Live in America by Money magazine.[6]

Reston was conceived as a planned community by Robert E. Simon. Founded on April 10, 1964 (Simon's 50th birthday) and named for his initials, it was one of the first modern, post-war planned communities in America, which sparked a revival of the planned community concept.[7] Simon's family had recently sold Carnegie Hall, and Simon used the funds to create Reston. Simon hired Conklin Rossant Architects as master planners to incorporate higher density housing to conserve open space, as well as mixed use areas for industry, business, recreation, education, and housing.

The first section of the community to be built, Lake Anne Plaza, was designed by James Rossant (who studied under Walter Gropius at the Harvard Graduate School of Design) to emulate the Italian coastal town of Portofino. Lake Anne village was designed with modern architectural themes that extend to a nearby elementary school, a gasoline station, and two churches. Lake Anne also has an art gallery, several restaurants, the Reston Historic Trust Museum, shops, and a senior citizens' fellowship house. All are local businesses, as there are no chain stores or chain restaurants allowed in Lake Anne. Close by are the cubist townhouses at Hickory Cluster that were designed by the noted modernist architect, Charles M. Goodman, in the International Style. Other sections of the town, such as Hunters Woods, South Lakes, and North Point, were developed later, each with a neighborhood shopping center and supermarket.[citation needed]

The land on which Reston sits was initially owned by Lord Fairfax during the 18th century. C.A. Wiehle (for whom Wiehle Avenue is named) bought the land later in the 1880s. He died after construction of several buildings. His sons did not share his vision, and sold the land to A. Smith Bowman, who built a bourbon distillery on the site while maintaining a farm on most of the area, a 7,300-acre (30 km2) tract. An office retail development and a road are named for him. In 1961, Robert E. Simon bought most of the land, except for 60 acres (240,000 m2) on which the Bowman distillery continued to operate until 1987.[8][9][10]

The growth and development of Reston has been monitored by newspaper articles, national magazines, and scholarly journals on architecture and land use. In 1967 the First Lady of the United States, Mrs. Lyndon Johnson, visited Reston to take a walking tour along its pathways as part of her interest in beautification projects. Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin visited Reston elementary schools named for them. The Washington Post featured a road trip to Reston in January 2006,[11] and a relatively new website "Beyond DC" has a page devoted to Reston with almost 150 photos.