How to Become a Radiology Technician Chester VA 23831 Archives

How to Select a Radiologic Technician School near Chester Virginia

Chester VA x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Chester VA in order to become a radiology technician. But now that you have decided to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you tackle picking the ideal school and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a qualified professional? And considering that the majority of states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you might need preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you research each of the colleges you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. Many students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and often gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while location and cost should be considered, there are other critical qualifiers as well. For example, you need to find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are considering are presented later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiology technician does and the degrees and training choices that are offered.

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Radiology Tech Work Description

There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, each has the identical major job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many elect to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, such as mammography. They can practice in Chester VA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist 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 take care of their equipment and frequently assess its functionality and safety. They are also required to retain detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Chester VA medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degree Options

x-ray machine in Chester VA The basic prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, generally requires 18 months to two years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as 4 years to finish and is more extensive in scope. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that are appropriate also. Something to consider is that Chester VA radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It may often be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which many schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification mandates in Virginia or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an x-ray technician school, based on the state where you will be employed you may need to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their prerequisites vary so contact your state. Currently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but several offer other alternatives for testing as well. Some states also require certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Chester VA employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Tech Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Chester 23831 As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree schools. So even though you can still earn 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 often provided in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online portion of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Chester VA home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree often discover that the online approach to learning is much more practical with their active schedules. Plus online schools are generally less expensive than conventional options. In addition to lower tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials may be reduced as well. But just confirm that the online program you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online school may be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask X Ray Tech Schools

As soon as you have decided on the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of searching for and assessing Chester VA x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to decide if you want to attend online classes or drive to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be important. The price of tuition and supplementary expenses will be a determining variable also. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you consider when comparing colleges? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these essential details prior to making your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are considering.

Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of radiology tech schools have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to make sure that the school and program 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial aid and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Chester VA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level positions.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the Virginia radiology technician colleges you are reviewing have associations with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to receive practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist students and graduates form professional connections in the Chester VA medical community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Chester VA healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Chester VA residence. Students who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Chester VA schools you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the x-ray tech program you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Chester VA, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become an Xray Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask radiographer candidates is "What drove you to choose radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should ready some approaches about how you want to answer them. Given that there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing 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 candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal X-Ray Tech School near Chester VA

Choosing the best x-ray technician school is a crucial first step toward starting a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the greater part of the day and position 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 developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having social skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and provide the best possible patient care. As has been addressed in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are considering before making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you decide on an online school or drive 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 be successful, you can achieve your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Chester VA.

Some Background on Chester Virginia

Chester, Virginia

Chester is a census-designated place (CDP) in Chesterfield County, Virginia, United States. The population was 20,987 at the 2010 census.[3]

Chester's original "downtown" was a stop which was an intersection of the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, running north to south, and the Clover Hill Railroad, which became the Brighthope Railway, then the Farmville and Powhatan Railroad. In 1900, when the Richmond and Petersburg merged with the Atlantic Coast Line, that new railroad intersected the same east west railroad which became the Tidewater and Western Railroad in 1905.[4] The Chester Station was the scene of a battle during the American Civil War. The Seaboard Air Line also passed through in 1900 running north to south which to day is replaced with Chester Linear Park. Chester today is a bedroom community along State Route 10. Recent commercial development in Chester has emerged at the sprawling intersection of SR 10 and U.S. Route 1 (Jefferson Davis Highway) near the on-ramp to Interstate 95. The area was damaged by Hurricane Isabel in 2003.

Chester is located at 37°21′12″N 77°26′9″W / 37.35333°N 77.43583°W / 37.35333; -77.43583 (37.353449, -77.435767).[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 13.3 square miles (34.4 km2), of which 13.2 square miles (34.1 km2) is land, and 0.12 square miles (0.3 km2) (0.90%) is water.[6]

At the 2000 census,[1] there were 17,890 people, 6,727 households and 5,119 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 531.7/km² (1,377.1/mi²). There were 6,951 housing units at an average density of 206.6/km² (535.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 81.3% White, 13.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.1% of the population.