How to Pick a Radiology Technician Degree Program near Highland Park Michigan

Congrats regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Highland Park MI so you can train to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have chosen to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, exactly how do you go about selecting the right college and program so that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And because the majority of states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, based on where you subsequently practice you may require preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s essential that you research each of the schools you are looking at in order to compare each program. Many potential students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and typically settle on the lowest cost. But while cost and location should be taken into consideration, there are other critical qualifiers as well. For instance, you must find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you should ask the schools you are evaluating are presented later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a x-ray tech does and the degrees and training options that are offered.

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Radiology Technician Career Summary

There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the identical primary job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some opt to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for example mammography. They can practice in Highland Park MI clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist may utilize include:

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

Radiographers have to take care of their equipment and also routinely assess its functionality and safety. They are also expected to retain complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Highland Park MI medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degrees

The standard requirement for attending an x-ray tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, generally requires 18 months to two years to finish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to finish and is more expansive in scope. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be acceptable also. One thing to bear in mind is that Highland Park MI radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It can frequently be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Michigan or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, depending on the state where you will be practicing you may need to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their requirements vary so get in touch with your state. At present, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but many provide other alternatives for testing also. Several states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. However, many Highland Park MI employers would rather 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 rigorous exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every 2 years, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technologist Schools

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 while you can still obtain your degree online, a large portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is often provided in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online segment of the training can be attended in the comfort of your Highland Park MI home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree usually find that the online approach to learning is far more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are often cheaper than conventional options. In addition to lower tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting can be decreased also. But just confirm that the online college you pick is accredited (more on the benefits 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 right choice for you.

Points to Ask Radiographer Schools

After you have selected the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can begin the process of looking for and assessing Highland Park MI x-ray tech schools. You will also need to determine if you want to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be critical. The price of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be a material factor also. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you consider when evaluating colleges? Well, you should check out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these essential details before you make your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you must ask the schools you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Programs Accredited? The majority of xray technician colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still crucial to verify that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies 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 an extensive review of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Highland Park MI employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the Michigan radiology technician colleges you are assessing have associations with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific means to receive hands on training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help graduates and students form professional connections in the Highland Park MI health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the radiographer programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Highland Park MI healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Highland Park MI home. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly 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 likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Highland Park MI schools you are researching 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 ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology tech program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the x-ray tech  college you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Highland Park MI, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

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

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for being a radiology technician, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you should prepare several approaches about how you want to address them. Considering there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number 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 excellent X-Ray tech and the best choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Pick the Ideal Radiology Tech Program near Highland Park MI

Picking the ideal x-ray technician college is an important first step toward initiating a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs frequently stand for the majority of the workday and position and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with 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 social skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and furnish the best possible patient care. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at before making your ultimate selection. This is similarly true whether you opt for an online program or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can analyze and compare each college so you can focus your choices before making your final choice. And with the proper education and your commitment to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Highland Park MI.

Some Background on Highland Park Michigan

 

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