How to Select a Radiologic Technician School near Duncansville Pennsylvania

Congrats on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Duncansville PA in order to become a radiologic technician. And now that you have made a decision to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you go about selecting the right school and program to ensure that you will get the proper training to become a skilled professional? And considering that the majority of states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you might require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s imperative that you research each of the colleges you are considering so that you can evaluate each program. A number of potential students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and often gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location must be taken into account, there are additional important qualifiers also. For instance, you must ask whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are examining are provided later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic technician does and the degrees and training options that are available.

X-Ray Technician Occupation Summary

There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, they all have the same principal job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some elect to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for instance mammography. They may practice in Duncansville PA 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 must maintain their equipment and also routinely assess its functionality and safety. They are additionally expected to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Duncansville PA medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degrees

The basic prerequisite for attending a radiology tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, normally requires 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to complete and is more comprehensive in nature. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be appropriate also. Something to keep in mind is that Duncansville PA radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may often be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which many colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing mandates in Pennsylvania or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an x-ray technician school, depending on the state where you will be working you may have to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their requirements vary so check with your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but many offer additional options for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, if not it is voluntary. However, many Duncansville PA employers will only hire radiology techs that are certified so it may increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every other year, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technician Classes

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 colleges. So even though you can still obtain your degree online, a significant portion of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is often performed in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online portion of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Duncansville PA home. Students who keep working while earning their degree often discover that the online style of learning is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online programs are generally less costly than traditional options. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting may be lessened also. But just be sure that the online college you choose is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then online classes may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Radiographer Programs

As soon as you have chosen the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can begin the process of locating and assessing Duncansville PA x-ray technician schools. You will also need to determine if you want to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be important. The price of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be a determining factor also. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you consider when comparing schools? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these crucial details before you make your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you must ask the programs you are considering.

Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? A large number of xray tech schools have acquired some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still important to make sure 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). Programs earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it may also obtain 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. Along with ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Duncansville PA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the Pennsylvania radiology tech programs you are reviewing have relationships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to obtain hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist students and graduates form professional relationships in the Duncansville PA health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Duncansville PA healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Duncansville PA residence. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Duncansville PA colleges you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the radiographer  program you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Duncansville PA, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Radiology Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to decide on radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for being a radiology technician, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Pick the Ideal X-Ray Technician School near Duncansville PA

Picking the best radiology technician school is a critical first step toward launching a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs frequently stand for the majority of the workday and position and sometimes 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 doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and deliver the best possible patient care. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision. This is equally true whether you decide on an online school or commute to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each college so you can narrow down your options and make your final choice. And with the right training and your commitment to be successful, you can realize your goal to work as a radiographer in Duncansville PA.

Some Background on Duncansville Pennsylvania

 

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