Tag Archives: Accredited X Ray Technician Schools Ashford CT 06278

Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Ashford CT 06278

How to Select an X-Ray Technician Degree Program near Ashford Connecticut

Ashford CT x-ray tech internship programCongrats on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Ashford CT so you can train to be a radiology technician. But now that you have decided to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you set about picking the right college and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a skilled professional? And because the majority of states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you may need preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you research each of the schools you are considering so that you can compare each program. Most potential students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and typically gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while cost and location must be taken into account, there are additional significant qualifiers also. For instance, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are evaluating are presented later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a x-ray technician does and the credentials and education options that are available.

Radiology Tech Career Summary

There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, each has the identical fundamental job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many elect to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for example mammography. They may work in Ashford CT 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 performance and safety. They are also expected to retain in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Ashford CT medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Tech Degree Options

x-ray machine in Ashford CTThe basic prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech college is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent 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 finish and is more expansive in scope. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are appropriate also. One thing to bear in mind is that Ashford CT radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may frequently be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Connecticut or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an X-Ray tech school, depending on the state where you will be employed you may need to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their prerequisites vary so contact your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many accept additional options for testing as well. A number of states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, many Ashford CT employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it may improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Tech Schools

attending x-ray tech school online in Ashford 06278As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree programs. So even though you can still obtain your online degree, a significant amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Practical training is often carried out in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online portion of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your Ashford CT home. Students who continue working while earning their degree usually discover that the online style of education is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online programs are frequently less costly than traditional alternatives. Along with lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But just be sure that the online college you pick is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online school may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Radiologic Tech Schools

When you have chosen the kind of degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of finding and assessing Ashford CT x-ray tech schools. You will also have to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or drive to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the school will be relevant. The cost of tuition and secondary expenditures will be a material variable as well. But along with location and cost, what else should you consider when reviewing schools? Well, you should ask if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these important details prior to making your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are assessing.

Are the X-Ray Tech Schools Accredited? Most radiology technician schools have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to confirm that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a rigorous assessment of their teachers 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 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 obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Ashford CT health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Provided? Find out if the Connecticut radiology tech colleges you are evaluating have partnerships with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great means to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist graduates and students establish professional connections in the Ashford CT medical community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the radiographer programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Ashford CT healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Ashford CT residence. 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 importance. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Ashford CT schools you are looking at what the typical student to teacher 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 converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program also.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the radiographer  school you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Ashford CT, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Desire to Become an X-Ray Tech?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask radiographer candidates is "What made you choose radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being a radiology technician, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should ready several approaches about how you would like to address them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Radiology Technician College near Ashford CT

Enrolling in the ideal x-ray tech degree program is a crucial first step toward starting a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs typically stand for the majority of the workday and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and furnish the best available patient care. As has been addressed in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision. This is just as true whether you decide on an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each school so you can narrow down your choices before making your decision. And with the appropriate education and your dedication to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Ashford CT.

Some Background on Ashford Connecticut

Ashford, Connecticut

Ashford is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States.[2] It is part of the Connecticut Quiet Corner. The population was 4,317 at the 2010 census. It was founded in 1714. Eastford was a part of Ashford until 1847, when the former split off to organize its own town.[3] For this reason North Ashford is located in northeast Eastford.

Ashford is home to the largest boy scout camp in Connecticut, the June Norcross Webster Scout Reservation; to Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for children with cancer and other serious illness; to the Salvation Army CONNRI Lodge and Conference Center;[4] and to the Evangelical Christian Center, a retreat, camp and conference center.[5]

President George Washington, returning from his tour of the country in the fall of 1789, was chagrined to be involuntarily abandoned in the village on a Sunday. It was contrary to law to hire a conveyance on that day, which was observed by villagers, to Washington's great annoyance.[6]

New Ashford in Massachusetts is named after Ashford, as it was settled in 1762 by people from Ashford.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.5 square miles (102 km2), of which, 38.8 square miles (100 km2) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) of it (1.80%) is water. The Mount Hope River flows through the middle of the town, from north to south, while Bigelow Brook flows along the town's eastern border with Eastford. Ashford has several lakes and ponds, notably Ashford Lake, Lake Chaffee, Knowlton Pond, Rychlings Pond, Halls Pond, Poole Pond, and Morey Pond.

 

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