Accredited X Ray Technician Schools Morgantown WV 26501 Archives

How to Select an Xray Technician Degree Program near Morgantown West Virginia

Morgantown WV x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Morgantown WV in order to become a radiology technician. And now that you have decided to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you undertake selecting the ideal school and program so that you will receive the appropriate training to become a qualified practitioner? And considering that the majority of states do require that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you subsequently work you might need training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the colleges you are looking at in order to compare each program. Many students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and frequently settle on the most affordable cost. But while location and cost should be taken into consideration, there are other important qualifiers as well. For example, you must ask if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are considering are presented later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic tech does and the credentials and training options that are offered.

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Radiology Tech Job 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. No matter what the name, they all have the identical major job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some elect to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They can practice in Morgantown WV clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician 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 routinely analyze its performance and safety. They are also expected to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Morgantown WV medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Tech Degrees Available

x-ray machine in Morgantown WV The basic requirement for attending an x-ray tech program is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, usually requires 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to complete and is more comprehensive in scope. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are appropriate as well. One thing to keep in mind is that Morgantown WV radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may often be satisfied by participating in an externship program which many schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any licensing or certification mandates in West Virginia 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 college, depending on the state where you will be employed you may have to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their requirements vary so check with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but many accept other alternatives for testing as well. Some states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, many Morgantown WV employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it may increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Tech Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Morgantown 26501 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree colleges. So even though you can still earn your online degree, a large amount of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is often carried out in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online section of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Morgantown WV residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree usually find that the online style of learning is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are often less expensive than on-campus alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials may be lessened as well. But just make sure that the online college you select is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then online classes may be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges

As soon as you have decided on the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of locating and evaluating Morgantown WV x-ray tech colleges. You will also have to decide if you want to attend online classes or drive 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 supplementary expenditures will be an important factor as well. But along with location and cost, what more should you look at when reviewing colleges? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these essential details prior to making your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Tech Colleges Accredited? A large number of radiology technician schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still imperative to make sure that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive review of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies 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 offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Morgantown WV employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Provided? Ask if the West Virginia xray technician programs you are assessing have partnerships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific manner to get practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help students and graduates form professional connections in the Morgantown WV health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Morgantown WV healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Morgantown WV residence. Students who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry 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 choose 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 normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Morgantown WV colleges you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program also.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the radiographer school you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Morgantown WV, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be an Xray Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask radiographer applicants is "What made you decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should organize a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Right Radiology Tech School near Morgantown WV

Enrolling in the ideal radiology technician degree program is an important first step toward launching a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs typically stand for the greater part of the day and position and at times lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to adhere to the safety requirements designed 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 good work environment and furnish the best possible patient care. As we have discussed in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are considering prior to making your final selection. This is similarly true whether you enroll in an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each college so you can narrow down your choices and make your final choice. And with the right training and your commitment to be successful, you can achieve your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Morgantown WV.

Some Background on Morgantown West Virginia

Morgantown, West Virginia

Morgantown is a city in and the county seat of Monongalia County, West Virginia, situated along the banks of the Monongahela River. With a permanent population of 31,073 per the 2015 U.S. Census estimates, Morgantown is the largest city in North-Central West Virginia. The Morgantown metropolitan area has a population of 138,176, and is the 3rd largest in West Virginia. West Virginia University adds several thousand seasonal residents to the city and surrounding area from September through May. Morgantown is best known as the home of West Virginia University and the Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit system.

Morgantown is closely tied to the Anglo-French struggle for this territory. Until the Treaty of Paris in 1763, what is now known as Morgantown was greatly contested by settlers and Native Americans, and by the British and the French. The treaty decided the issue in favor of the British, but Indian fighting continued almost to the beginning of the American Revolution.

Zackquill Morgan, son of Morgan Morgan, and his brother David entered the area of Virginia that would become Morgantown in about 1767, although others such as Thomas Decker are recorded as attempting settlements in the area earlier or at about the same time. As well, several forts were built in the area during this time: Fort Pierpont near the Cheat River, in 1769; Fort Coburn, near Dorsey's Knob, in 1770. Fort Morgan, at the present site of Morgantown, in 1772; Fort Dinwiddle, north several miles at Stewartstown, in 1772; Fort Martin, several miles north on the Monongahela River, in 1773; Fort Burris in the present-day Suncrest area of Morgantown, in 1774; and Fort Kern in the present-day Greenmont area of Morgantown, in 1774, in addition to other, smaller forts.

Zackquill Morgan settled the area about 1772 by establishing a homestead near present-day Fayette Street and University Avenue. Morgan fought in both the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War, rising to the rank of colonel. By 1783, following his wartime duties, Colonel Morgan commissioned Major William Haymond to survey his land and divide it into streets and lots. Colonel Morgan then received a legal certificate for 400 acres (1.6 km2) in the area of his settlement near the mouth of Decker's Creek. 50 acres (200,000 m2) were appropriated for Morgan's Town by the Virginia General Assembly in October 1785. On February 3, 1838, the Virginia General Assembly enacted a municipal charter incorporating the city, now with a population of about 700, as Morgantown, Virginia. The town became part of the newly created state of West Virginia on June 20, 1863, through the Reorganized Government of Virginia.

Notable early structures still standing in Morgantown as of 2012 include the Old Stone House, built in 1795 by Jacob Nuce on Long Alley (the modern-day Chestnut Street)[6] and the John Rogers family home on Foundry Street, built in 1840 and occupied as of 2011 by the Dering Funeral Home.[7]