Accredited X Ray Technician Schools Salem VA 24153 Archives - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Find a Radiologic Technician Program near Salem Virginia

Salem VA x-ray tech internship program Congrats regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Salem VA in order to train to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have chosen to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you set about selecting the ideal college and program so that you will receive the proper training to become a qualified professional? And considering that the majority of states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you might need training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you assess each of the colleges you are considering in order to evaluate each program. Most potential students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and typically gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location must be taken into account, there are additional significant qualifiers also. For example, you must ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the schools you are considering are provided later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a radiology tech does and the credentials and training options that are available.

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X-Ray Tech Career Summary

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, they all have the identical major job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many choose to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for example mammography. They can practice in Salem VA 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 have to care for their equipment and also frequently assess its functionality and safety. They are also expected to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Salem VA medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Available

x-ray machine in Salem VA The standard prerequisite for attending an x-ray tech college is to have received a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, normally takes 18 months to two years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finish and is more comprehensive in scope. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be acceptable also. One thing to bear in mind is that Salem VA radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can frequently be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any certification or licensing mandates in Virginia or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing

Once you have graduated from an Radiologist college, depending on the state where you will be working you may need to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so check with your state. At present, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but many provide additional options for testing as well. Some states also require certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. However, numerous Salem VA employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it may enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Tech Schools

attending x-ray tech school online in Salem 24153 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree schools. So although you can still earn your degree online, a significant amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an internship off-campus. Clinical training is typically provided in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online section of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Salem VA home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree often find that the online approach to education is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online schools are often more affordable than conventional options. Along with reduced tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting can be reduced as well. But just make certain that the online school you pick is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then online classes may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Radiographer Schools

After you have selected the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of looking for and assessing Salem VA x-ray tech schools. You will also need to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenses will be a determining variable also. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you look at when reviewing colleges? Well, you should check out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these essential details before you make your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you must ask the colleges you are looking at.

Are the X-Ray Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of xray technician schools have received some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still important to make sure that the school and program 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 earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed review of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Salem VA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level openings.

Are Internships Provided? Inquire if the Virginia xray technician programs you are reviewing have associations with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to get hands on training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist students and graduates form professional connections in the Salem VA health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Salem VA healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Salem VA residence. Those who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Salem VA schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the x-ray tech school you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Salem VA, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

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

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask radiographer applicants is "What drove you to choose radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but additionally what qualities and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should organize several strategies about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Radiology Tech College near Salem VA

Selecting the right radiology tech degree program is a critical first step toward initiating a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs regularly stand for the greater part of the workday and move and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best possible care to patients. As has been discussed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each school you are reviewing before making your final selection. This is just as true whether you decide on an online program or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each college so you can narrow down your options before making your final choice. And with the appropriate training and your motivation to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Salem VA.

Some Background on Salem Virginia

Salem, Virginia

Salem is an independent city in the U.S. commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 24,802.[3] It is the county seat of Roanoke County,[4] although the two are separate jurisdictions. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Salem with Roanoke County for statistical purposes.

Salem is bordered by the city of Roanoke and is included in the same Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is located approximately 30 miles (48 km) from Blacksburg, 104 miles (167 km) from Greensboro, North Carolina, 120 miles (190 km) from Charlottesville, and 250 miles (400 km) from Knoxville, Tennessee.

Roanoke College is located in the city. The Division III Men's Basketball Championship and Stagg Bowl are held there annually, though the latter is scheduled to relocate beginning in 2018. Salem is also the home to a minor league baseball team, the Salem Red Sox, formerly the Salem Avalanche.

The earliest history of Salem exists as archaeological evidence of Native American tribes from as far back as 8000 B.C. until the middle of the 18th century. Europeans first explored the area of Salem in 1671, when the Siouan-speaking Totero people had a village nearby.[5] Explorers Thomas Batts and Robert Fallam gave the area its first recorded name: Totero Town, after this tribe, who supplied them with a guide to help with further exploration. Fort Lewis, named for General Andrew Lewis, of what is now Roanoke County, was built west of the town in 1752. Salem's Andrew Lewis Middle School was named after General Lewis. Salem became a small settlement serving travelers on the Great Road (roughly the same path followed by US-11 and later Interstate 81 today) and was officially founded in 1802, receiving its charter in 1806. It is not known why the town was named Salem; the most widely accepted explanation is that it was named to honor William Bryan, a prominent citizen, who had moved from Salem, New Jersey.

Salem was attacked twice by the Union Army during the American Civil War, but its Salem Flying Artillery is said to have fired the last Confederate shot at Appomattox Court House prior to Robert E. Lee's surrender.