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

Best wishes regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Abington PA so you can become a radiologic technologist. And now that you have made a decision to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you go about picking the ideal school and program to ensure that you will obtain the proper training to become a skilled professional? And considering that the majority of states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you may require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you assess each of the schools you are considering in order to evaluate each program. Many students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and typically settle on the most affordable cost. But while location and cost must be taken into account, there are other critical qualifications as well. For instance, you need to ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the schools you are evaluating are provided later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology tech does and the credentials and education options that are offered.

X-Ray Technician Career Summary

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the identical principal job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many elect to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They can practice in Abington PA 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 have to maintain their equipment plus frequently assess its functionality and safety. They are also expected to retain in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Abington PA health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degrees

The standard prerequisite for attending a radiology tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, usually requires 18 months to two years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to four years to complete and is more extensive in nature. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be appropriate also. One thing to keep in mind is that Abington PA radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It may frequently be satisfied by taking part in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their region. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Pennsylvania or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an X-Ray tech program, based on the state where you will be working you may need to become licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their criteria vary so check with your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but a number accept additional options for testing also. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, many Abington PA employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might enhance your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Tech Classes

As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree programs. So while you can still earn your degree online, a large amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is usually conducted in regional 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 Abington PA residence. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree often discover that the online approach to learning is far more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online colleges are generally cheaper than on-campus options. Along with reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be decreased as well. But just be sure that the online program you enroll in 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 an online degree may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Radiology Tech Programs

When you have decided on the kind of degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of finding and evaluating Abington PA x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or travel to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be important. The price of tuition and secondary expenses will be a determining factor also. But along with location and cost, what more should you consider when evaluating schools? Well, you need to ask if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details prior to making your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you must ask the programs you are assessing.

Are the X-Ray Tech Colleges Accredited? Most radiology tech colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still crucial to verify 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 earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed review of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also help in securing financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Abington PA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the Pennsylvania xray technician schools you are reviewing have partnerships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to receive practical training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can help graduates and students form professional relationships in the Abington PA 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 initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the radiographer programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Abington PA healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Abington PA home. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Abington PA colleges 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 ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program also.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the radiographer  program you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Abington PA, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

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

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for being a radiology technician, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to ready a number of approaches about how you want to answer them. Since there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Pick the Right Radiology Technician Program near Abington PA

Selecting the right x-ray technician college is a crucial first step toward initiating a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs regularly stand for the majority of the day and move and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and furnish the best available care to patients. As we have covered in this report, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision. This is just as true whether you enroll in an online program or travel to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can analyze and compare each program so you can focus your options and make your decision. And with the proper education and your dedication to be successful, you can achieve your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Abington PA.

Some Background on Abington Pennsylvania

 

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