How to Become a Radiology Technician Flint MI 48501 Archives

How to Pick an Xray Tech College near Flint Michigan

Flint MI x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Flint MI in order to become a radiology technologist. But now that you have chosen to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you go about picking the right 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 radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you might require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you assess each of the colleges you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Many prospective students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and often gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while expense and location need to be considered, there are additional critical qualifications as well. For example, you need to find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the schools you are reviewing are provided later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray tech does and the degrees and education options that are offered.

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X-Ray Tech Job Summary

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, they all have the same major job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some opt to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They may practice in Flint MI clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech might utilize include:

Traditional and specialized X-Rays
Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Sonography or ultrasound
Fluoroscopy

Radiographers must care for their equipment plus frequently assess its performance and safety. They are also required to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Flint MI medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Flint MI The standard requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, generally requires 18 months to two years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to complete and is more extensive in nature. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that are appropriate also. One thing to keep in mind is that Flint MI radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by taking part in an externship program which many schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Michigan or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiographer Certification and Licensing

Once you have graduated from an X-Ray tech program, based on the state where you will be practicing you might have to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their prerequisites vary so get in touch with your state. Currently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but many provide other options for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. However, many Flint MI employers favor hiring radiology techs that have earned certification so it could increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Technician Classes

attending x-ray tech school online in Flint 48501 As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree colleges. So although you can still obtain your online degree, a large amount of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Practical training is often conducted in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online section of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Flint MI home. Students who continue working while earning their degree typically discover that the online approach to learning is far more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online colleges are frequently less expensive than on-campus alternatives. Along with reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be decreased also. But just be sure that the online school you select is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online degree may be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Radiology Tech Schools

When you have chosen the kind of degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of locating and evaluating Flint MI x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to determine if you want to attend classes online or travel to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the school will be critical. The price of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be an important variable also. But along with cost and location, what more should you consider when evaluating colleges? Well, you should find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you find out 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 Technician Programs Accredited? The majority of xray tech colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still important to verify that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive assessment of their teachers and educational materials. If the college 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 recognized 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 obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Flint MI employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the Michigan radiology technician programs you are interested in have associations with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to receive hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help graduates and students establish professional connections in the Flint MI health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Flint MI healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Flint MI home. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Flint MI schools you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the x-ray tech program you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Flint MI, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Choose to Be an Xray Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask radiographer applicants is "What drove you to pick radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming a radiology technician, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Best X-Ray Tech College near Flint MI

Selecting the ideal radiology tech degree program is a critical first step toward launching a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs frequently stand for the greater part of the working day and move and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to adhere to the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having social skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and deliver the best available patient care. As has been discussed in this report, 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 decide on an online program or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each program so you can narrow down your choices and make your final choice. And with the right training and your commitment to be successful, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Flint MI.

Some Background on Flint Michigan

Flint, Michigan

Flint is the largest city and county seat of Genesee County, Michigan, United States. Located along the Flint River, 66 miles (106 km) northwest of Detroit, it is a principal city within the region known as Mid Michigan.[9][10] According to the 2010 census, Flint has a population of 102,434, making it the seventh largest city in Michigan. The Flint metropolitan area is located entirely within Genesee County. It is the fourth largest metropolitan area in Michigan with a population of 425,790 in 2010.[11] The city was incorporated in 1855.

Flint was founded as a village by fur trader Jacob Smith in 1819 and became a major lumbering area on the historic Saginaw Trail during the 19th century. From the late 19th century to the mid 20th century, the city was a leading manufacturer of carriages and later automobiles, earning it the nickname "Vehicle City". General Motors (GM) was founded in Flint in 1908, and the city grew into an automobile manufacturing powerhouse for GM's Buick and Chevrolet divisions after World War II up until the mid 1970s. Flint was also the home of the Flint Sit-Down Strike of 1936–37 that played a vital role in the formation of the United Auto Workers.

Since the late 1960s, Flint has faced several crises. The city sank into a deep economic depression after GM significantly downsized its workforce in the area from a 1978 high of 80,000 to under 8,000 by 2010. From 1960 to 2010, the population of the city nearly halved from 196,940 to 102,434. In the mid-2000s, Flint became known for its high crime rates and has repeatedly been ranked among the most dangerous cities in the United States.[12] The city was under a state of financial emergency from 2002–2004 and again from 2011–2015.[13][14] Since 2014, the city has faced a major public health emergency due to lead poisoning in the local water supply that has affected thousands of residents, as well as an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease due to tainted water.[15][16]

The Saginaw Valley, particularly the vicinity of Flint, is considered by some to be the oldest continually inhabited area of Michigan.[citation needed] Regardless of the validity of this claim, the region was home to several Ojibwa tribes at the start of the 19th century, with a particularly significant community established near present-day Montrose. The Flint River had several convenient fords which became points of contention among rival tribes, as attested by the presence of arrowheads and burial mounds near it. Some of the city currently resides atop ancient Ojibwa burial grounds.[17]

In 1819, Jacob Smith, a fur trader on cordial terms with both the local Ojibwas and the territorial government founded a trading post at the Grand Traverse of the Flint River. On several occasions, Smith negotiated land exchanges with the Ojibwas on behalf of the U.S. government, and he was highly regarded on both sides. Smith apportioned many of his holdings to his children. As the ideal stopover on the overland route between Detroit and Saginaw, Flint grew into a small but prosperous village, and incorporated in 1855. The 1860 U.S. census indicated that Genesee County had a population of 22,498 of Michigan's 750,000.