How to Select a Radiology Technician Degree Program near Audubon Pennsylvania

Congrats regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Audubon PA in order to learn to be a radiologic technician. But now that you have chosen to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, just how do you set about selecting the right college and program to ensure that you will obtain the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And because the majority of states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you may require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you assess each of the colleges you are considering in order to compare each program. Many students start by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and usually gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while expense and location should be considered, there are additional critical qualifiers as well. For instance, you need to ask if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the schools you are examining are presented later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a x-ray tech does and the degrees and education options that are available.

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Radiology Technician Career Description

There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, they all have the same major job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many choose to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for example mammography. They can work in Audubon PA clinics, hospitals, 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 have to care for their equipment and also frequently assess its functionality and safety. They are also required to retain complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Audubon PA health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Tech Degrees Offered

The primary requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to complete 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 bear in mind is that Audubon PA radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may often be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any licensing or certification mandates in Pennsylvania or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, based on the state where you will be employed you may need to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary so check with your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but many provide other options for testing also. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, numerous Audubon PA employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Tech Colleges

As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree programs. So even though you can still earn your degree online, a considerable amount of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is typically carried out in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online section of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Audubon PA residence. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree often find that the online approach to education is far more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are often less costly than conventional options. In addition to lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be lessened as well. But just make sure that the online school you select 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 online classes may be the best option for you.

Topics to Ask Radiographer Schools

When you have decided on the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can begin the process of finding and assessing Audubon PA x-ray technician schools. You will also have to determine if you want to attend classes online or drive to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the college will be relevant. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be a determining factor also. But along with location and cost, what else should you look at when reviewing colleges? Well, you should find out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details prior to making your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you must ask the schools you are looking at.

Are the Radiology Tech Programs Accredited? Most radiology technician colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to verify that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly respected 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 evaluation of their instructors 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 education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Audubon PA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the Pennsylvania radiology technician colleges you are evaluating have associations with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific manner to get hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates develop professional connections in the Audubon PA health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the radiographer schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Audubon PA healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Audubon PA home. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Audubon PA colleges you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program also.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the x-ray tech  school you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Audubon PA, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become an Xray Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask radiographer applicants is "What compelled you to pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you must organize several approaches about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Best Radiology Technician College near Audubon PA

Selecting the right radiology tech school is a crucial first step toward initiating a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the greater part of the working day and move and sometimes lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to follow the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having social skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best available patient care. As we have addressed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you enroll in an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each college so you can focus your choices before making your decision. And with the proper training and your dedication to succeed, you can achieve your goal to practice as a x-ray tech in Audubon PA.

Some Background on Audubon Pennsylvania

 

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