Tag Archives: Accredited X Ray Technician Schools Oakville CT 06779

Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Oakville CT 06779

How to Pick a Radiologic Tech Program near Oakville Connecticut

Oakville CT x-ray tech internship programCongrats on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Oakville CT in order to train to be a radiology technologist. And now that you have made a decision to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you tackle choosing the ideal school and program to ensure that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a skilled professional? And considering that most states do require that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you subsequently practice you may require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you research each of the schools you are considering in order to compare each program. A number of students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and typically settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location should be considered, there are additional important qualifications also. For instance, you need to find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These inquiries 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 offered.

X-Ray Technician Job Description

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, each has the identical principal job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many elect to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They can practice in Oakville CT hospitals, clinics, family 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 also routinely assess its functionality and safety. They are additionally required to retain in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Oakville CT medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Tech Degrees

x-ray machine in Oakville CTThe standard prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have received a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, generally takes 18 months to two years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 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 may be appropriate as well. Something to consider is that Oakville CT radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It can frequently be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which many schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing requirements in Connecticut or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an Radiologist school, based on the state where you will be employed you might need to become licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their criteria 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 purpose of licensing, but several accept other options for testing also. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. However, many Oakville CT employers favor hiring radiology techs that have earned certification so it might improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every other year, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Tech Programs

attending x-ray tech school online in Oakville 06779As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree colleges. So even though you can still obtain your degree online, a large amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Clinical training is usually conducted in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online portion of the training can be attended in the comfort of your Oakville CT residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree typically discover that the online approach to learning is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online schools are often cheaper than traditional options. In addition to lower tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be lessened also. But just make sure that the online school you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online degree may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Radiographer Colleges

As soon as you have decided on the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of locating and assessing Oakville CT x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to determine if you want to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be relevant. The price of tuition and supplementary expenses will be an important factor as well. But along with location and cost, what more should you look at when comparing schools? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these important details prior to making your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you need to ask the programs you are reviewing.

Are the Radiology Tech Colleges Accredited? A large number of radiology tech schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to confirm that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through an extensive review of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial aid and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Oakville CT employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Find out if the Connecticut radiology tech colleges you are assessing have relationships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to get hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help students and graduates form professional connections in the Oakville CT health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Oakville CT healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Oakville CT residence. Students who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep 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 may 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 live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Oakville CT schools you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the radiographer  college you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Oakville CT, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

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

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask radiographer prospects is "What drove you to decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare several ideas about how you would like to answer them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Radiology Tech Program near Oakville CT

Enrolling in the appropriate x-ray tech school is an important first step toward beginning a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs regularly stand for the greater part of the day and move and sometimes lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines designed 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 necessity in order to have a productive work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. As we have discussed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each school you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision. This is equally true whether you enroll in an online program or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each college so you can focus your choices and make your final choice. And with the right training and your dedication to succeed, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiographer in Oakville CT.

Some Background on Oakville Connecticut

Watertown, Connecticut

Watertown is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 22,514 at the 2010 census. The zip code for Watertown is 06795. It is a suburb of Waterbury. It borders the towns of Woodbury, Middlebury, Litchfield, Plymouth, Bethlehem, and Thomaston. The urban center of the town is the Watertown census-designated place, with a population of 3,574 at the 2010 census.[1]

Around 1657 began the colonization of the area today called Watertown. In that time, the colony was called Mattatock, though it had several variations in spelling through the years.[2] The land where Watertown is now located, having originally belonged to Mattatock, officially changed its name to Watterbury (now Waterbury) by record on March 20, 1695, by consensus of a council. Essentially, the original Colony of Mattatuck, which became Watterbury, then Waterbury in name, comprised a much greater land area than Waterbury does today. The original name for Watertown was Waterbury.[3] Thomas Judd and other families were among the first investors to buy the land as a group. The Town of Watertown was officially incorporated in 1780 under a charter within the United States of America.[4]

It is in the Eastern Standard time zone. The elevation is 620 feet.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 29.6 square miles (76.6 km²), of which, 29.1 square miles (75.5 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.1 km²) of it (1.45%) is water. Watertown also includes the section known as Oakville, which is often mistaken for a separate town. Although Oakville has its own post office and ZIP code, it does not have a charter or town government of its own. Oakville also receives all of its city services (Police, fire, water and so on) from Watertown.

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 21,661 people, 8,046 households, and 5,994 families residing in the town. The population density was 743.0 people per square mile (286.9/km²). There were 8,298 housing units at an average density of 284.6 per square mile (109.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.46% White, 0.75% African American, 0.12% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.87% of the population.

 

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