How to Find an Xray Technician Degree Program near Downingtown Pennsylvania
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Downingtown PA so you can become a radiologic technologist. And now that you have decided to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, just how do you tackle choosing the ideal college and program so that you will get the proper training to become a skilled professional? And considering that most states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s essential that you assess each of the schools you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. Most students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and typically settle on the lowest cost. But while location and cost need to be taken into consideration, there are additional important qualifiers also. For example, you must find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are examining are presented later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic technician does and the credentials and education choices that are offered.
X-Ray Technician Career Summary
There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, each has the same major job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many elect to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for example mammography. They can practice in Downingtown PA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech 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 frequently assess its functionality and safety. They are additionally required to retain detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Downingtown PA health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
Radiology Tech Degrees Offered
The basic requirement for attending a radiology tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among techs, usually takes 18 months to two years to complete 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 expansive in nature. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that may be acceptable also. Something to bear in mind is that Downingtown 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 externship program which a large number of colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Pennsylvania or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
X-Ray Tech Licensing and Certification
Once you have graduated from an X-Ray tech school, depending on the state where you will be practicing you may need to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so contact your state. At present, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but a number provide other alternatives for testing as well. Several states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, numerous Downingtown PA employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every 2 years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.
Online Radiology Technician Degrees
As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree schools. So although you can still obtain your degree online, a considerable amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is usually carried out in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Downingtown PA home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree typically discover that the online approach to learning is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are frequently less costly than conventional alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting may be reduced also. But just confirm that the online college you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then online classes may be the ideal option for you.
Subjects to Ask Radiology Tech Schools
When you have selected the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of searching for and assessing Downingtown PA x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to determine if you want to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be important. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be an important factor as well. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you factor in when evaluating schools? Well, you need to check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these important details before you make your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are reviewing.
Are the X-Ray Tech Schools Accredited? Most radiology tech colleges have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still crucial 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). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the program is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Downingtown PA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level jobs.
Are Internships Offered? Inquire if the Pennsylvania xray tech schools you are evaluating have associations with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great manner to receive practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help graduates and students form professional relationships in the Downingtown PA health care community and assist with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Downingtown PA 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 choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Downingtown PA 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 area internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? 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 undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Downingtown PA colleges you are reviewing 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 students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program also.
Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the x-ray tech college you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Downingtown PA, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Why Did You Desire to Be a Radiology Technician?
When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to pick radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming a radiology technician, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to radiography, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you should ready a number of approaches about how you want to respond to them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.Pick the Ideal Radiology Technician College near Downingtown PA
Enrolling in the right x-ray technician college is a critical first step toward starting a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the greater part of the day and move and at times lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety guidelines developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best possible patient care. As has been covered in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are assessing before making your ultimate decision. This is just as true whether you enroll in an online school or drive to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each school so you can narrow down your choices and make your decision. And with the right education and your dedication to be successful, you can achieve your goal to practice as a radiographer in Downingtown PA.
Some Background on Downingtown Pennsylvania
Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Downingtown is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 33 miles (53 km) west of Philadelphia. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 7,891. Downingtown was settled by English and European colonists in the early 18th century and has a number of historic buildings and structures.
The town was originally named Milltown due to its number of mills along the East Branch Brandywine Creek, the first of which was founded by Daniel Butter. The Butter family also had paper mills in the area, and Frederick Bicking from Winterburg, Germany, was the patriarch of the Bicking paper families. Around the time of the American Revolution, Milltown became more commonly known as Downingtown after the prominent businessman Thomas Downing,[3] a Quaker immigrant in 1717 from Bradninch, Devon, England, who owned a number of those mills. The town was officially named Downingtown in 1812.
The town is located along the Lincoln Highway (now part of U.S. Route 30) which runs from the East Coast to the West Coast. It was an early westward road in the wagon days as the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike. The Lincoln Highway was the first paved road to cross the nation from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Construction of the Pennsylvania Turnpike started in the early 1940s and was completed in the early 1950s; it runs north of US 30, bypassing Downingtown.
About 1705 Sami Warren built what has become known as the Downingtown Log House. In 1713 the next owner Hickman sold the 1½ story, 21' 9"×25' structure to Thomas and Mary Moore. Thomas Moore moved from the Log House in 1729 and died in 1738.
Thomas Downing acquired the Log House in 1739. It remained in the Downing family until 1940, when Thomas W. Downing died and left it to the borough of Downingtown. The borough did some restoration work to the Downingtown Log House in 1947. It served as the home to the Downingtown Chamber of Commerce from 1950 until 1988. But the Log House was deteriorating as Route 30 had been built close to it. Located 18 inches (46 cm) below street level, the house suffered water damage due to runoff from Route 30 and vibration from traffic weakened the structure.
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