Tag Archives: How to Become a Radiology Technician Arapahoe CO 80802

Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Arapahoe CO 80802

How to Select a Radiologic Technician School near Arapahoe Colorado

Arapahoe CO x-ray tech internship programCongratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Arapahoe CO so you can train to be a radiology technician. And now that you have made a decision to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, just how do you tackle selecting the right college and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And considering that the majority of states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you may require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the colleges you are considering so that you can evaluate each program. Most potential students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and typically settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location need to be taken into consideration, there are additional significant qualifiers as well. For example, you should find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the schools you are reviewing 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 available.

X-Ray Technician Career Description

There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, each has the same primary job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some elect to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for example mammography. They can practice in Arapahoe CO clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician might utilize include:

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

Radiographers have to take care of their equipment and also frequently assess its performance and safety. They are also required to keep detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Arapahoe CO medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Technician Degrees

x-ray machine in Arapahoe COThe basic requirement for attending a radiology tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, usually takes 18 months to two years to finish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to four years to complete and is more expansive in nature. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that are acceptable as well. One thing to consider is that Arapahoe CO radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It may typically be fulfilled by taking part in an externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing mandates in Colorado or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing

Once you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, depending on the state where you will be working you may have to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their requirements vary so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but many accept additional alternatives for testing as well. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. Having said that, many Arapahoe CO employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified 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 exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technologist Schools

attending x-ray tech school online in Arapahoe 80802As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree colleges. So even though you can still earn your degree online, a considerable amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is often performed in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Arapahoe CO home. Students who keep working while earning their degree typically find that the online style of education is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online schools are generally more affordable than on-campus options. Along with lower tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be decreased also. But just confirm that the online school you select is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online school may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Radiologic Tech Colleges

As soon as you have decided on the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of locating and assessing Arapahoe CO x-ray tech schools. You will also need to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the school will be important. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be an important factor also. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you look at when comparing colleges? Well, you should find out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship 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 reviewing.

Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? A large number of radiology tech schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still crucial to confirm that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a rigorous assessment of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in securing financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Arapahoe CO employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Provided? Inquire if the Colorado xray technician colleges you are evaluating have relationships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to get hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are also a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help students and graduates establish professional connections in the Arapahoe CO medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Arapahoe CO healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Arapahoe CO residence. Those who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Arapahoe CO schools you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the radiographer  college you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Arapahoe CO, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

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

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters often ask radiographer applicants is "What made you pick radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare several ideas about how you want to address them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim 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 leading choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right X-Ray Tech School near Arapahoe CO

Enrolling in the right x-ray tech degree program is an important first step toward initiating a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs typically stand for the majority of the working day and move and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best available patient care. As has been covered in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you enroll in an online program or drive to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can examine and compare each program so you can narrow down your choices and make your final choice. And with the proper education and your commitment to be successful, you can realize your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Arapahoe CO.

Some Background on Arapahoe Colorado

Arapahoe County, Colorado

Arapahoe County (/əˈræpəhoʊ/ ə-RAP-ə-ho) is one of the 64 counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2010 census, the population was 572,003,[3] making it the third-most populous county in Colorado. The county seat is Littleton,[4] and the most populous city is Aurora. The county was named for the Arapaho Native American tribe who once lived in the region.[1]

Arapahoe County is part of the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area. Arapahoe County calls itself "Colorado's First County" since its origins predate the Pike's Peak Gold Rush.

On August 25, 1855, the Kansas Territorial Legislature created a huge Arapahoe County to govern the entire western portion of the Territory of Kansas. The county was named for the Arapaho Nation who lived in the region.[1]

In July 1858, gold was discovered along the South Platte River in Arapahoe County (in present-day Englewood). This discovery precipitated the Pike's Peak Gold Rush. Many residents of the mining region felt disconnected from the remote territorial governments of Kansas and Nebraska, so they voted to form their own Territory of Jefferson on October 24, 1859. The following month, the Jefferson Territorial Legislature organized 12 counties for the new territory, including a smaller Arrappahoe County. Denver City served as the county seat of Arapahoe County.

The Jefferson Territory never received federal sanction, and when the State of Kansas was admitted to the Union on January 29, 1861, the mining regions temporarily reverted to unorganized territory. On February 28, 1861, Congress passed an act organizing the Territory of Colorado, using present-day borders.[5] On November 1, 1861, the Colorado Territorial Assembly organized the 17 original counties of Colorado, including a new Arapahoe County. Arapahoe County originally stretched from the line of present-day Sheridan Boulevard 160 miles (258 kilometers) east to the Kansas border, and from the line of present-day County Line Road 30 miles (48 kilometers) north to the Parallel 40° North (168th Avenue). Denver City served as the county seat of Arapahoe County until 1902.

 

More Cities of Interest in Colorado

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