How to Find an X-Ray Technician Program near Glenside Pennsylvania

Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Glenside PA in order to train to be a radiology technologist. But now that you have made a decision to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you tackle picking the right school and program so that you will get the proper training to become a skilled professional? And considering that the majority of states do require that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you subsequently work you may require preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the colleges you are considering in order to evaluate each program. A number of potential students start by looking 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 should be taken into account, there are additional important qualifiers also. For instance, you should ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are evaluating are provided later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a x-ray tech does and the credentials and education choices that are available.

X-Ray Technician Job Summary

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, each has the same fundamental job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many opt to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They may practice in Glenside PA clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech might 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 maintain their equipment and also routinely analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally required to retain detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Glenside PA health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Tech Degree Options

The primary prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech college is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, normally requires 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to complete and is more comprehensive in scope. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be appropriate also. One thing to bear in mind is that Glenside PA radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may often be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which many colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. Once you have graduated from one 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 Tech Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an Radiologist school, based on the state where you will be working you may have to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their prerequisites differ so check with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but many offer additional options for testing as well. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is optional. Having said that, many Glenside PA employers prefer to 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 accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Tech Schools

As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree schools. So while you can still earn your degree online, a significant portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is often carried out in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online section of the training can be attended in the comfort of your Glenside PA home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree usually find that the online style of education is far more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are generally more affordable than on-campus alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting can be lessened also. But just make sure that the online program you select is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online school may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Radiologic Tech Programs

As soon as you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of locating and evaluating Glenside PA x-ray tech colleges. You will also have to decide if you want to attend classes online or travel to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be relevant. The cost of tuition and supplementary 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 check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these important details prior to making your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are reviewing.

Are the Radiology Tech Programs Accredited? Most xray technician colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to confirm that the school and program are accredited. Among 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 undergone an extensive evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also help in securing financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Glenside PA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internships Provided? Inquire if the Pennsylvania xray tech programs you are reviewing have associations with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great way to receive 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 may assist graduates and students establish professional connections in the Glenside PA healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the radiographer programs you are considering 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 good relationships with Glenside PA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Glenside PA home. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes naturally 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 college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Glenside PA colleges you are considering what the typical 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 a chance to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program also.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the x-ray tech  college you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Glenside PA, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Radiology Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask radiographer prospects is "What compelled you to decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should ready several approaches about how you want to answer them. Given that there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Best X-Ray Tech College near Glenside PA

Picking the best x-ray technician degree program is an important first step toward starting a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs often stand for the majority of the day and move and sometimes lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and provide the best available patient care. As has been discussed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are reviewing before making your final decision. This is similarly true whether you decide on an online program or commute to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each program so you can focus your choices and make your decision. And with the proper training and your commitment to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Glenside PA.

Some Background on Glenside Pennsylvania

 

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