Accredited X Ray Technician Schools New Kensington PA 15068 Archives

How to Pick an Xray Tech School near New Kensington Pennsylvania

New Kensington PA x-ray tech internship program Congratulations regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near New Kensington PA so you can train to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have made a decision to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, just how do you tackle choosing the ideal school and program to ensure that you will get the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And since most states do mandate that x-ray technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you might need training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the schools you are looking at in order to compare each program. A number of potential students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and often gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location should be taken into consideration, there are other critical qualifiers as well. For instance, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are examining are provided later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic technician does and the degrees and training options that are offered.

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Radiology Tech Occupation Summary

There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, 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 visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some choose to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for instance mammography. They can work in New Kensington PA clinics, hospitals, family 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 take care of their equipment plus regularly evaluate its functionality and safety. They are also required to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As New Kensington PA medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Tech Degrees

x-ray machine in New Kensington PA The primary prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech college is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, usually takes 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as 4 years to complete and is more comprehensive in scope. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are appropriate also. Something to consider is that New Kensington PA radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It can typically be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which many schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification requirements in Pennsylvania or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, based on the state where you will be practicing you might need to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their requirements differ so contact your state. Currently, all states that do require licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but several accept other alternatives for testing also. Some states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. Having said that, numerous New Kensington PA employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it may enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Tech Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in New Kensington 15068 As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical 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 portion of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is typically conducted in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online section of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your New Kensington PA residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree typically find that the online style of education is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online colleges are often less costly than traditional options. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials may be lessened also. But just make certain that the online program you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online degree may be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges

As soon as you have selected the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of searching for and evaluating New Kensington PA x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or travel to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be relevant. The price of tuition and secondary expenses will be an important factor as well. But along with cost and location, what else should you consider when evaluating colleges? Well, you should find out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details prior to making your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are assessing.

Are the X-Ray Tech Colleges Accredited? Most radiology tech schools have acquired some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. 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 earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a rigorous examination of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance 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 assist in getting financial aid and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many New Kensington PA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out if the Pennsylvania xray technician schools you are assessing have relationships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a great means to receive practical experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help graduates and students form professional connections in the New Kensington PA health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the radiographer programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with New Kensington PA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they select will have to be within travelling distance of their New Kensington PA home. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the New Kensington PA colleges you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the radiographer college you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in New Kensington PA, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Want to Become a Radiologic Technologist?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask radiographer applicants is "What drove you to select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for being an X-Ray tech, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to radiography, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you should organize some approaches about how you would like to address them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the talents you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Pick the Ideal X-Ray Tech College near New Kensington PA

Enrolling in the best radiology tech degree program is a crucial first step toward beginning a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs often stand for the greater part of the workday and move and at times lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety guidelines developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best possible patient care. As has been discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at prior to making your final selection. This is equally true whether you enroll in an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each school so you can focus your options before making your final choice. And with the proper education and your commitment to succeed, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiographer in New Kensington PA.

Some Background on New Kensington Pennsylvania

New Kensington, Pennsylvania

New Kensington, known locally as New Ken, is a city in Westmoreland County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, situated along the Allegheny River 18 miles (29 km) northeast of Pittsburgh. The population was 13,116 at the 2010 Census.

Like much of Westmoreland County and surrounding areas, the region was a hunting ground for Native Americans of the Six Nations European-American settlement began in the mid-1700s. Continental army troops built Fort Crawford, near the mouth of Pucketa Creek, in 1777. The fort was abandoned in 1793.

Originally part of Burrell (and later Lower Burrell) Township, the city of New Kensington was founded in 1891. In 1890, the Burrell Improvement Company considered the advantages of the level land south of its home in Lower Burrell, and deemed it a prime location for a city and named the area "Kensington"; this was later changed to "New Kensington" for postal reasons, to avoid confusion with the Philadelphia neighborhood of the same name. In an attempt to make New Kensington comparable to Pittsburgh, the streets were named with numbers. Avenues ran parallel to the river, while streets were perpendicular. The main commercial streets were 4th and 5th avenues.

Once the land was surveyed, a public sale was held on June 10, 1891. Thousands of people flooded the area and investors began bringing industry with them. The first large company was the Pittsburgh Reduction Company, which later became Alcoa. They acquired a 3.5-acre (14,000 m2) property that allowed the company to utilize the riverfront. The Alcoa facility remained operational until the 1960s.

Eventually, other companies such as Adams Drilling, Goldsmith and Lowerburg, New Kensington Milling, New Kensington Brewing, Logan Lumber, Keystone Dairy, and many more were built late in the 19th century and continuing into the early 20th century. Early achievements included a railroad station, the 9th Street bridge, a passenger boat that navigated the Allegheny River, a street car line that ran to Natrona via the West Penn Railways, the Kensington Dispatch newspaper, a fire department, hotel, opera house, and a local chapter of the YMCA. New Kensington annexed the independent borough of Parnassus in 1939.