How to Choose a Radiology Technician Degree Program near Elizabethtown Pennsylvania

Best wishes regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Elizabethtown PA in order to train to be a radiologic technologist. But now that you have decided to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you set about picking the right school and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled professional? And since the majority of states do require that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you might need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you investigate each of the colleges you are looking at in order to compare each program. Most prospective students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and often gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while expense and location must be considered, there are other significant qualifiers also. For instance, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are evaluating are provided later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic tech does and the credentials and training choices that are offered.

X-Ray Tech Occupation Summary

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, they all have the same principal job description, which is to use 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 choose to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for example mammography. They may practice in Elizabethtown PA hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech might utilize 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 also regularly assess its functionality and safety. They are also expected to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Elizabethtown PA medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Technician Degrees

The basic requirement for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among techs, usually requires 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to complete and is more expansive in nature. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are acceptable also. Something to consider is that Elizabethtown PA radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can frequently be satisfied by participating in an externship program which many colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any licensing or certification requirements in Pennsylvania or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an x-ray technician school, based on the state where you will be practicing you might need to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria vary so get in touch with your state. Currently, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but several approve additional alternatives for testing as well. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, many Elizabethtown PA employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it could increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every 2 years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Tech Degrees

As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree programs. So although you can still obtain your degree online, a significant amount of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is typically conducted in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online segment of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Elizabethtown PA home. Students who keep working while earning their degree typically find that the online approach to learning is much more practical with their active schedules. Plus online schools are often cheaper than traditional alternatives. Along with reduced tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials can be decreased also. But just be sure that the online program you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online school may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Radiology Tech Programs

Once you have chosen the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of searching for and assessing Elizabethtown PA x-ray tech colleges. You will also have to decide if you want 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 expenses will be an important variable as well. But along with location and cost, what more should you factor in when reviewing colleges? Well, you need to ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship 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 need to ask the schools you are looking at.

Are the X-Ray Technician Colleges Accredited? A large number of radiology tech schools have earned some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still crucial to confirm 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). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through an extensive examination of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on 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 premium education, accreditation will also help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Elizabethtown PA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the Pennsylvania xray tech schools you are assessing have partnerships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific way to get practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can help graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Elizabethtown PA healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the radiographer schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Elizabethtown PA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Elizabethtown PA home. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Elizabethtown PA schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the x-ray tech  program you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Elizabethtown PA, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Decide to Become an Xray Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask radiographer prospects is "What compelled you to select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being an X-Ray tech, but additionally what qualities and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should ready some ideas about how you want to answer them. Given that there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Pick the Best Radiology Tech School near Elizabethtown PA

Enrolling in the appropriate x-ray technician school is a crucial first step toward beginning a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs typically stand for the greater part of the day and move and in some cases lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also show a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines designed 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. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best possible care to patients. As we have covered in this report, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection. This is equally true whether you participate in an online program or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each program so you can narrow down your options and make your decision. And with the proper training and your motivation to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Elizabethtown PA.

Some Background on Elizabethtown Pennsylvania

 

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