How to Select a Radiology Technician Degree Program near Gig Harbor Washington

Congrats on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Gig Harbor WA so you can learn to be a radiologic technologist. But now that you have made a decision to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you undertake choosing the right school and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And considering that 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 exam. So it’s imperative that you research each of the colleges you are looking at so that you can compare each program. Most students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and typically gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while expense and location must be taken into account, there are other critical qualifiers also. For example, you must ask if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are evaluating are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology tech does and the credentials and training options that are offered.

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Radiology Technician Career Description

There are several professional titles 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 major job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose 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, for example mammography. They may work in Gig Harbor WA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist might work with include:

• Traditional and specialized X-Rays
• Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Sonography or ultrasound
• Fluoroscopy

Radiographers must care for their equipment and also routinely analyze its performance and safety. They are also required to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Gig Harbor WA medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Tech Degrees

The standard prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. 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 based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 4 years to finish and is more comprehensive in nature. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are appropriate as well. One thing to consider is that Gig Harbor WA radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may typically be satisfied by participating in an externship program which many colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Washington or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiographer Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an Radiologist program, based on the state where you will be employed you may have to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their requirements vary so contact your state. At present, all states that do require licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but many offer additional alternatives for testing as well. A number of states also require certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, many Gig Harbor WA employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every other year, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technician Colleges

As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree schools. So while you can still earn your degree online, a considerable portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Clinical training is often performed in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Gig Harbor WA residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree usually discover that the online approach to education is much more practical with their active schedules. Plus online programs are generally more affordable than on-campus options. In addition to reduced tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting may be lessened also. But just make certain that the online school you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online degree may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask X Ray Tech Programs

After you have decided on the type of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of looking for and evaluating Gig Harbor WA x-ray technician schools. You will also have to determine if you want to attend classes online or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the school will be relevant. The cost of tuition and secondary expenses will be an important factor as well. But along with location and cost, what more should you factor in when reviewing 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 important details before you make your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are considering.

Are the X-Ray Tech Colleges Accredited? Most xray tech schools have acquired some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still important to make sure that the school and program 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). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed examination of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Gig Harbor WA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the Washington xray tech programs you are evaluating have associations with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific way to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist students and graduates form professional relationships in the Gig Harbor WA health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Gig Harbor WA healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their Gig Harbor WA home. Those who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry 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 even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Gig Harbor WA schools you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the x-ray tech  college you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Gig Harbor WA, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be an Xray Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask radiographer applicants is "What compelled you to decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming a radiology technician, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to radiography, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should ready a number of approaches about how you would like to address them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Radiology Tech School near Gig Harbor WA

Choosing the ideal radiology tech degree program is a crucial first step toward beginning a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs typically stand for the greater part of the day and move and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to observe the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and provide the best possible care to patients. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision. This is equally true whether you decide on an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can examine and compare each school so you can focus your choices before making your decision. And with the appropriate training and your motivation to succeed, you can achieve your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Gig Harbor WA.

Some Background on Gig Harbor Washington

 

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