How to Become a Radiology Technician Chester Heights PA 19017 Archives

How to Pick an Xray Technician School near Chester Heights Pennsylvania

Chester Heights PA x-ray tech internship program Best wishes on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Chester Heights PA in order to become a radiology technician. But now that you have chosen to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you go about picking the ideal college and program to ensure that you will obtain the proper training to become a qualified practitioner? And considering that most states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you might require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Many potential students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and often gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location must be considered, there are other critical qualifications also. For example, you should ask if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you must ask the schools you are considering are presented later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a x-ray tech does and the credentials and education options that are available.

Radiology Tech Occupation Description

There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, they all have the same primary job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many opt to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, such as mammography. They may practice in Chester Heights PA hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech 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 take care of their equipment plus routinely assess its functionality and safety. They are additionally expected to retain in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Chester Heights PA medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degrees

x-ray machine in Chester Heights PA The standard requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, generally takes 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as four years to finish and is more extensive in nature. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be appropriate as well. One thing to consider is that Chester Heights PA radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may typically be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which a large number of schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Pennsylvania or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing

Once you have graduated from an Radiologist program, depending on the state where you will be employed you might have to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but several approve additional options for testing as well. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is voluntary. However, numerous Chester Heights PA employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it could enhance your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved 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 ed, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technician Classes

attending x-ray tech school online in Chester Heights 19017 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree programs. So while you can still obtain your degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is usually conducted in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online portion of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your Chester Heights PA home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree typically find that the online style of learning is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online programs are often cheaper than on-campus alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be lessened also. But just confirm that the online school you select is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online degree may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Radiographer Programs

As soon as you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of looking for and assessing Chester Heights PA x-ray tech schools. 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 of course the location of the school will be important. The price of tuition and secondary expenses will be a determining variable also. But along with cost and location, what more should you factor in when reviewing schools? Well, you need to ask 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 should ask the colleges you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Tech Programs Accredited? Most radiology technician schools have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to make sure that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed examination of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it might also earn 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 guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial aid and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Chester Heights PA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out if the Pennsylvania radiology tech colleges you are evaluating have partnerships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist students and graduates develop professional connections in the Chester Heights PA healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly 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 assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Chester Heights PA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Chester Heights PA residence. 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 area internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often 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 type of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Chester Heights PA colleges you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the x-ray tech college you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Chester Heights PA, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Desire to Become an X-Ray Tech?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask radiographer prospects is "What made you select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for being an X-Ray tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must organize several strategies about how you want to answer them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal X-Ray Technician School near Chester Heights PA

Picking the appropriate x-ray technician college is a critical first step toward beginning a satisfying 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 majority of the workday and move and in some cases lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and provide the best available patient care. As has been addressed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision. This is just as true whether you participate in an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each program so you can focus your options and make your decision. And with the proper training and your commitment to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Chester Heights PA.

Some Background on Chester Heights Pennsylvania

Chester Heights, Pennsylvania

Chester Heights is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,531 at the 2010 census.[3] Most of the borough lies south of U.S. 1, about a mile southwest of Wawa.

The history of Chester Heights predates grants of William Penn, when the Swedes had penetrated some distance inland from the Delaware River and had found the rich soil very conducive to productive farming. To a remarkable extent, the area had continued to be so used until the last decade. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the borough was part of Aston Township, though this northernmost section of Aston did not have a village aspect as such. With the advent of a railroad, which made its first run-through on Christmas Day 1833, a concentration of houses developed. With the reach of the automobile, a settlement of homes sprang up along the oldest road in the borough. That route, now Valleybrook Road, was once known as the "Logtown Road" and was one of the earliest routes from Chester settlement to the interior. It wanders over and along the West Branch of Chester Creek and is noted for its abrupt curves at the borough's southern end.

An 1836 school building on Valleybrook Road and Llewellyn Road was, in its day, rented by its owners to Aston for $2 a month for use as the school for this area. It was subsequently known as the Logtown School and changed to the Chester Heights School in 1880. A second, much later stone school building stands in its place today. The borough was the Fourth Ward of Aston and had been referred to for some time as Chester Heights and Wawa. It was in the northern or "Wawa" area that, over the past one hundred years or more, several large land parcels were acquired for summer residences. To date, most of these tracts have remained relatively unchanged, though they are now used as year-round private residences. ("Wawa" was the Indian name for wild goose.)

In 1852 the cornerstone of St. Thomas the Apostle Church was laid, and it stands today with the addition of a parochial school and residences. In 1872 an association of Methodists purchased a farm in Aston, incorporating as the Chester Heights Camp-Meeting Associations, and it still convenes each July for religious retreats. The borough of Chester Heights was officially incorporated in 1945.

Today, approximately one dozen early fieldstone or brick dwellings remain intact, though not necessarily restored. The oldest homes date to 1720 or earlier; many of them were established by 1777 when "a number of the stragglers from the defeated American Army, hungry, demoralized and exhausted in their flight from the field at Brandywine, collected in the neighborhood of Logtown, where they passed the night, sleeping in the outbuildings and open fields." Altogether, the houses represent an historically valuable span of 18th century to Victorian architecture in the borough.[4]