How to Find a Radiology Technician College near Fairfax Virginia

Congrats on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Fairfax VA so you can become a radiology technologist. But now that you have decided to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you set about picking the ideal school and program so that you will receive the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And since the majority of states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you may need training to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the colleges you are considering so that you can compare each program. Most students start by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and frequently gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while cost and location must be taken into account, there are additional important qualifications as well. For example, you should ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the schools you are examining are presented later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic tech does and the credentials and training options that are offered.

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X-Ray Tech Job Description

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, each has the identical principal job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many opt to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for example mammography. They can work in Fairfax VA 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 must maintain their equipment and routinely analyze its functionality and safety. They are also required to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Fairfax VA health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered

The primary requirement for enrolling in an x-ray tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, generally takes 18 months to two years to finish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as 4 years to complete and is more extensive in scope. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be acceptable also. One thing to consider is that Fairfax VA radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may typically be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Virginia or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an Radiologist college, based on the state where you will be employed you may need to become licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their criteria vary so check with your state. Currently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but several offer other alternatives for testing also. A number of states also require certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. However, numerous Fairfax VA employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it may increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technologist Colleges

As a component of any 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 even though you can still obtain your online degree, a large portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is usually performed in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online segment of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Fairfax VA residence. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree often discover that the online style of education is far more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online schools are frequently cheaper than traditional options. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials can be lessened as well. But just be sure that the online college you choose is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online degree may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask X Ray Tech Programs

After you have selected the type of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of locating and evaluating Fairfax VA x-ray tech schools. You will also need to determine if you want 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 secondary expenditures will be a determining factor as well. But along with location and cost, what else should you consider when reviewing colleges? Well, you need to ask if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these important details prior to making your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are considering.

Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? The majority of radiology technician colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still imperative to verify that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive examination of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in securing financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Fairfax VA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask if the Virginia radiology technician schools you are interested in have partnerships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to get hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist graduates and students form professional relationships in the Fairfax VA medical community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Fairfax VA healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Fairfax VA home. Those who have chosen to attend classes online naturally 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 may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Fairfax VA schools you are reviewing what the average teacher to student 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 several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the x-ray tech  college you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Fairfax VA, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be an Xray Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask radiographer applicants is "What made you select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to radiography, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Because there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Pick the Ideal X-Ray Tech College near Fairfax VA

Choosing the best x-ray tech college is a critical first step toward initiating a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs typically stand for the greater part of the working day and move and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines developed 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. Possessing social skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best possible patient care. As we have covered in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each school you are reviewing prior to making your final decision. This is similarly true whether you decide on an online program or commute to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each college so you can focus your choices and make your decision. And with the appropriate training and your dedication to be successful, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiographer in Fairfax VA.

Some Background on Fairfax Virginia

 

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