How to Select a Radiologic Tech School near Du Bois Pennsylvania

Congratulations regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Du Bois PA in order to become a radiologic technician. But now that you have decided to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you tackle choosing the right school and program to ensure that you will get the proper training to become a qualified professional? And because the majority of states do mandate that x-ray technicians become licensed, based on where you subsequently practice you might need training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s essential that you research each of the colleges you are looking at so that you can compare each program. Many students begin by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and usually settle on the most affordable cost. But while location and cost must be taken into consideration, there are other important qualifiers also. For example, you should ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are reviewing are presented later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a radiologic technician does and the credentials and education options that are offered.

X-Ray Technician Work Description

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the same fundamental job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some elect to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They may practice in Du Bois PA clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist might utilize include:

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

Radiographers must maintain their equipment and regularly evaluate its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Du Bois PA medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Technician Degrees

The primary prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech school is to have attained 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 technicians, normally requires 18 months to two years to finish based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finish and is more extensive in nature. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are appropriate also. Something to keep in mind is that Du Bois PA radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It can typically be fulfilled by taking part in an externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Pennsylvania or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician school, depending on the state where you will be employed you may need to be licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary so check with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but a number approve other options for testing also. A number of states also require certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, numerous Du Bois PA employers would rather hire 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 examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Tech Programs

As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree colleges. So while you can still earn your online degree, a considerable portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is often performed in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online portion of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Du Bois PA residence. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree usually find that the online approach to learning is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online programs are frequently less costly than on-campus alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting can be lessened also. But just confirm that the online school you select 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 school may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Radiographer Programs

When you have decided on the type of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of finding and assessing Du Bois PA x-ray technician schools. You will also have to determine if you want to attend online classes or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be important. The price of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be a determining factor also. But along with location and cost, what more should you factor in when comparing schools? Well, you need to find out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details prior to making your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you must ask the programs you are considering.

Are the X-Ray Technician Schools Accredited? The majority of radiology tech colleges have acquired some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still important to make sure 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 receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous examination of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it may also receive 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 assist in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Du Bois PA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level positions.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the Pennsylvania xray technician programs you are reviewing have associations with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to get hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Du Bois PA healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are interviewing have job placement 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 Du Bois PA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Du Bois PA 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 importance. Something to keep 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 might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally 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 Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Du Bois PA colleges you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the x-ray tech  school you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Du Bois PA, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

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

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's important to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask radiographer applicants is "What made you choose radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being an X-Ray tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should ready some approaches about how you would like to answer them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Pick the Right X-Ray Tech School near Du Bois PA

Enrolling in the right x-ray technician school is a critical first step toward initiating a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. Radiology techs often stand for the greater part of the working day and move and in some cases lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to follow the safety guidelines developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best possible patient care. As has been covered in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each school you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you participate in an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each college so you can narrow down your options before making your decision. And with the proper education and your commitment to succeed, you can realize your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Du Bois PA.

Some Background on Du Bois Pennsylvania

 

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