How to Become a Radiology Technician Chantilly VA 20151 Archives

How to Pick a Radiologic Technician Degree Program near Chantilly Virginia

Chantilly VA x-ray tech internship program Best wishes on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Chantilly VA so you can learn to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have chosen to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you set about picking the ideal college 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, depending on where you subsequently practice you may require training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s imperative that you research each of the colleges you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. A number of students start by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and usually settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location should be considered, there are other important qualifications also. For example, you need to find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internships. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are considering are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology tech does and the degrees and training options that are available.

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Radiology Technician Career Description

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the identical fundamental job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some elect to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for example mammography. They may practice in Chantilly VA clinics, hospitals, 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 maintain their equipment and also regularly evaluate its functionality and safety. They are also required to retain complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Chantilly VA medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degree Options

x-ray machine in Chantilly VA The primary requirement for attending an x-ray tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, usually takes 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 4 years to complete and is more expansive in nature. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are acceptable as well. One thing to consider is that Chantilly VA radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may often be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Virginia or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiographer Licensing and Certification

After you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, depending on the state where you will be employed you might need to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but a number provide additional alternatives for testing as well. A number of states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is voluntary. However, many Chantilly VA employers will only hire radiology techs that are certified so it could enhance your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Tech Programs

attending x-ray tech school online in Chantilly 20151 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree programs. So although you can still earn your online degree, a considerable portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Clinical training is usually performed in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online section of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Chantilly VA home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree typically find that the online approach to learning is far more practical with their active schedules. Plus online schools are generally more affordable than traditional alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting may be decreased also. But just make certain that the online college you select is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online degree may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Radiologic Tech Programs

When you have selected the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can start the process of searching for and evaluating Chantilly VA x-ray technician schools. You will also have to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or drive to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be important. The cost of tuition and secondary expenditures will be a material variable also. But along with cost and location, what else should you consider when comparing colleges? Well, you need to ask 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 need to ask the schools you are looking at.

Are the Radiology Tech Schools Accredited? The majority of radiology tech colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to confirm 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 receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed assessment of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial aid and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Chantilly VA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level jobs.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out if the Virginia radiology technician colleges you are interested in have relationships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific way to get practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist graduates and students develop professional connections in the Chantilly VA medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the radiographer programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Chantilly VA healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Chantilly VA home. Those who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to keep 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 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 for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Chantilly VA schools you are looking at what the average student to teacher 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 a chance to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the x-ray tech school you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Chantilly VA, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Radiology Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask radiographer applicants is "What made you select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being an X-Ray tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare several strategies about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Right X-Ray Technician College near Chantilly VA

Choosing the ideal radiology tech college is a crucial first step toward launching a satisfying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs typically stand for the greater part of the day and position and at times lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to observe the safety guidelines developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best possible patient care. As has been covered in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are assessing prior to making your final decision. 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 college so you can focus your options and make your decision. And with the right training and your motivation to be successful, you can achieve your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Chantilly VA.

Some Background on Chantilly Virginia

Chantilly, Virginia

Chantilly is a census-designated place (CDP) in western Fairfax County, Virginia, United States.[3][4] The population was 23,039 at the 2010 census.[5] Chantilly is named after an early-19th-century mansion and farm, which in turn took the name of an 18th-century plantation that was located in Westmoreland County, Virginia.[6] The name "Chantilly" originated in France with the Château de Chantilly,[7][8] about 25 miles north of Paris.

Located in the Northern Virginia portion of the Washington metropolitan area, Chantilly sits approximately 25 miles (40 km) west of Washington, D.C., via Interstate 66 and U.S. Route 50. It is located between Centreville to the south, Herndon and Reston to the north and northeast, respectively, and Fairfax 7 miles (11 km) to the southeast. U.S. Route 50 and Virginia State Route 28 intersect in Chantilly, and these highways provide access to the Dulles/Reston/Tysons Corner technology corridor and other major employment centers in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Chantilly was home to a number of colonial plantations in the 1700s, including the Sully Plantation (now the Sully Historic Site) built by Richard Bland Lee I. Other plantations included George Richard Lee Turberville's "Leeton Grove"[9] (originally a 5,000+ acre plantation, the main house of which still stands at 4619 Walney Rd.), the John Hutchison Farm, and the Chantilly Plantation, after which Chantilly is named. Cornelia Lee Turberville Stuart, who was born at Leeton and was the daughter of George Richard Lee Turberville and Henrietta Lee, inherited a portion of Leeton in 1817 from her father. Stuart and her husband Charles Calvert Stuart, whom she had married in 1816, constructed the Chantilly Plantation and named it after the Westmoreland County plantation owned by her grandfather, Richard Henry Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. During the Civil War, federal troops destroyed by fire the Chantilly Plantation manor house. One building remains, a stone house across Route 50 from the Greenbriar Shopping Center. While it is not clear what this stone house was used for, most historical evidence suggests it was probably a plantation overseer's quarters during the antebellum period, and a tavern or boarding house following the war. After the war, Cornelia Stuart, who had become deeply in debt, sold her 1,064-acre (431 ha) Chantilly estate. The advertisement for the sale referenced several "tenements", one of which was the Stone House.

The village grew during the 19th century, particularly following the construction of the Little River Turnpike to Winchester.

The evolution of the Chantilly area into an outer suburb of Washington, D.C., gained momentum after 1980, as developers built residential subdivisions and commercial areas, filling in the farmland south of Dulles Airport.