How to Become a Radiology Technician Fairmont WV 26554 Archives

How to Pick an X-Ray Tech College near Fairmont West Virginia

Fairmont WV x-ray tech internship program Congrats on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Fairmont WV in order to train to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have chosen to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you set about choosing the ideal school and program so that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And considering that the majority of states do require that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you might require preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the colleges you are considering in order to compare each program. A number of potential students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and usually gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while expense and location must be taken into consideration, there are additional important qualifications also. For instance, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are evaluating are presented later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic technician does and the credentials and education options that are offered.

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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 technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the identical principal job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some choose to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for example mammography. They can work in Fairmont WV clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech may 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 maintain their equipment and also regularly assess its performance and safety. They are also required to keep detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Fairmont WV medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Technician Degrees Available

x-ray machine in Fairmont WV The standard prerequisite for attending a radiology tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, normally takes 18 months to two years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to complete and is more extensive in scope. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be appropriate as well. One thing to consider is that Fairmont WV radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may typically be satisfied by taking part in an internship or externship program which many colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any licensing or certification mandates in West Virginia or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, depending on the state where you will be working you may have to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their criteria vary so contact your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but several accept additional options for testing as well. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. Having said that, numerous Fairmont WV employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it may improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technologist Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Fairmont 26554 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree colleges. So even though you can still obtain your online degree, a significant portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is typically performed in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online section of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Fairmont WV home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree often discover that the online approach to learning is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online schools are generally cheaper than traditional alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials can be lessened as well. But just be sure that the online school you pick is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then online classes may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Radiographer Colleges

As soon as you have chosen the kind of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of searching for and evaluating Fairmont WV x-ray tech schools. You will also have to decide if you want to attend online classes or travel to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be critical. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenses will be an important variable as well. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you look at when evaluating schools? Well, you should ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details prior to making your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you must ask the schools you are looking at.

Are the Radiology Tech Colleges Accredited? A large number of xray technician schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still imperative to confirm that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly respected 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 undergone a rigorous review of their teachers and educational materials. If the program is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Fairmont WV employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level positions.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the West Virginia xray technician colleges you are evaluating have partnerships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to obtain hands on training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Fairmont WV healthcare community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Fairmont WV healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Fairmont WV residence. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing 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 be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Fairmont WV schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the x-ray tech program you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Fairmont WV, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative 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 obligations.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Radiologic Technologist?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask radiographer prospects is "What drove you to select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming an Xray technician, but additionally what qualities and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare some strategies about how you would like to answer them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating 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 jot down a few concepts and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Pick the Right Radiology Tech College near Fairmont WV

Enrolling in the appropriate x-ray tech degree program is a crucial first step toward starting a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the greater part of the workday and move and at times lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having social skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best possible care to patients. As we have addressed in this report, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are considering prior to making your final decision. This is just as true whether you opt for an online school or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can examine and compare each program so you can focus your options before making your final choice. And with the appropriate training and your commitment to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as a radiographer in Fairmont WV.

Some Background on Fairmont West Virginia

Fairmont, West Virginia

Fairmont is a city in Marion County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 18,704 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Marion County.[5]

Prior to the founding of Fairmont, the land that would become Marion County was part of Monongalia and Harrison County.[6] In the 1700s, the earliest development of this area consisted of subsistence farming settlements.[7] In 1789, Boaz Fleming, a Revolutionary War veteran, migrated to this area and purchased a 254-acre farm from Jonathan Bozarth. Oral history indicates that in 1808, Fleming made his annual trek to Clarksburg to pay his brother's Harrison County taxes.[8] While in Clarksburg, Fleming attended a social gathering that included his cousin, Dolley Madison, wife of President James Madison. Fleming complained to Mrs. Madison about having to travel over a hundred miles each year from his home to pay his Monongalia County taxes and his brother's Harrison County taxes. Mrs. Madison supposedly suggested that he create his own county to save him all that travel. In 1814, Fleming circulated a petition to do precisely that, naming the proposed county Madison County, in honor of Dolley and James Madison.

Milford (now Rivesville[9]) was the only town within the borders of Fleming's proposed county, so Fleming decided to make Milford the seat of Madison County.[10] However, Milford's citizens preferred to remain part of Monongalia County. As a result, Fleming's petition failed to gain sufficient support to be presented to the Virginia General Assembly. Fleming then focused on creating a new town near his farm, which was located on the west side of the Monongahela River. In 1817, Fleming's sons—William and David—began to clear land on part of their father's farm to make way for the new town; this part of the farm would later become downtown Fairmont. In 1819, a road was built from Clarksburg to Morgantown. Fleming's new town was about halfway between the two cities, making it a good resting point. The town was incorporated as Middletown on January 19, 1820. It is unknown if the town was called Middletown because of its location midway between Clarksburg and Morgantown or because Fleming's first wife, Elizabeth Hutchinson, was originally from Middletown, Delaware.

The current borders of Marion County were established in 1842, and Middletown was named the county's seat. At that time, William Haymond, Jr. suggested that the town's name be changed to Fairmont because the town had a beautiful overlook of the Monongahela River, giving it a "fair mount." The Borough of Fairmont was incorporated in 1843 by the Virginia General Assembly.[11]

Many of the first buildings in Fairmont were poorly constructed. By 1852—little more than 30 years after the city's founding—a large portion of Fairmont was reported to be run-down and dilapidated. Reports from 1873 indicate that these buildings had continued to fall into disrepair. On April 2, 1876, a fire destroyed a large portion of the city's business district, as well as many houses in the area. The continuing dilapidation of the city's buildings may have contributed to the fire; the large number of coal mines under Fairmont may have also played a role.