Accredited X Ray Tech Schools Langston OK 73050 Archives - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Find an X-Ray Technician College near Langston Oklahoma

Langston OK x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Langston OK so you can train to be a radiologic technologist. But now that you have decided to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you undertake selecting the right college and program to ensure that you will get the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And since the majority of states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you may require training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you investigate each of the schools you are considering so that you can evaluate each program. A number of students start by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and typically settle on the lowest cost. But while location and cost should be considered, there are additional critical qualifications also. For instance, you need to find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are reviewing are presented later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a x-ray tech does and the credentials and training options that are offered.

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X-Ray Technician Career Summary

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, each has the identical major job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many choose to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, such as mammography. They may practice in Langston OK hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech 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 maintain their equipment and also regularly assess its functionality and safety. They are additionally expected to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Langston OK medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Tech Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Langston OK The standard prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech program is to have attained 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 common among technicians, usually takes 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as four years to complete and is more expansive in scope. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that are acceptable as well. One thing to consider is that Langston OK radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Oklahoma 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 school, depending on the state where you will be working you might need to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so contact your state. Currently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but several provide additional options for testing also. A number of states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. However, many Langston OK employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it could 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 demands re-certification every other year, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technician Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Langston 73050 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 the same for online degree colleges. So even though 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. Practical training is often performed in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online portion of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your Langston OK home. Students who continue working while earning their degree often discover that the online approach to education is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are generally less costly than traditional options. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting may be lessened as well. But just make certain that the online program you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online school may be the best option for you.

What to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges

As soon as you have chosen the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of looking for and assessing Langston OK x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be important. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a determining variable also. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you consider when reviewing schools? Well, you need to ask if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these important details before you make your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you need to ask the programs you are assessing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Schools Accredited? A large number of xray technician colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still imperative to confirm 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 receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive review of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Langston OK employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Find out if the Oklahoma radiology technician schools you are reviewing have partnerships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to obtain hands on training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Langston OK health care community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the radiographer schools 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 substantial networks and good relationships with Langston OK healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Langston OK residence. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Langston OK colleges you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. 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 some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology tech program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the x-ray tech school you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Langston OK, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Radiologic Technologist?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers typically ask radiographer candidates is "What made you pick radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for being a radiology technician, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to radiography, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you must organize a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Because there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Pick the Ideal X-Ray Tech College near Langston OK

Choosing the best radiology technician school is an important first step toward initiating a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs typically stand for the greater part of the working day and position and sometimes lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray 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 productive work environment and provide the best possible patient care. As we have addressed in this report, there are several questions that you need to ask each school you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection. This is equally true whether you opt for an online school or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can examine and compare each school so you can focus your choices before making your final choice. And with the appropriate education and your motivation to be successful, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Langston OK.

Some Background on Langston Oklahoma

Langston, Oklahoma

Langston is a town in Logan County, Oklahoma, United States, and is part of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,724 at the 2010 census, an increase of 3.2 percent from 1,670 at the 2000 census.[3] Langston is home to Langston University, the only historically black college in Oklahoma.

Langston was founded on April 22, 1890 by Edward P. McCabe, an African-American political figure from Kansas. McCabe helped lead a migration of black settlers from southern U.S. states who hoped to escape discrimination by creating a majority-black state in what was then the Territory of Oklahoma.[a] He named the town for John Mercer Langston, a black member of the 51st United States Congress from Virginia.[4][b] McCabe used traveling salesmen and African-American newspapers to advertise lots for sale in Langston, and the deeds which accompanied the sale of these lots stipulated that their re-sale could only be to other African-Americans.[5]

By 1891, Langston had a population of 200, which included a preacher, doctor, and schoolteacher.[5] By 1892, the town had 25 businesses, with a bank and a public school. A Roman Catholic mission was established in 1893 by Rev. Bishop Theophile Meerschaert and the Benedictine Sisters. The town had a telephone system in service in 1895. In 1897, the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature passed a law creating the Colored Agricultural and Normal University at Langston (which later became Langston University).[4]

Langston is 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Guthrie, the Logan County seat, on State Highway 33.[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2), all of it land.