How to Find a Radiology Tech Degree Program near Catasauqua Pennsylvania

Congratulations on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Catasauqua PA so you can learn to be a radiologic technologist. But now that you have made a decision to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, exactly how do you undertake selecting the ideal school and program so that you will obtain the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that most states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you might need preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you research each of the schools you are considering in order to compare each program. A number of prospective students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and usually gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location need to be taken into account, there are additional significant qualifiers as well. For instance, you must find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the schools you are evaluating are presented later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiology tech does and the credentials and training options that are offered.

Radiology Tech Occupation Description

There are a number of professional designations 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 same primary job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many opt to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They can work in Catasauqua PA hospitals, clinics, private 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 have to care for their equipment plus routinely analyze its functionality and safety. They are also required to retain detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Catasauqua PA medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Available

The primary prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to complete and is more extensive in scope. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be acceptable as well. One thing to keep in mind is that Catasauqua PA radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by taking part in an internship or externship program which many colleges offer 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 certification or licensing requirements in Pennsylvania or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiographer Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an Radiologist school, depending on the state where you will be employed you might have to become licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary so get in touch with your state. Currently, all states that do require licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but several accept other options for testing also. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, many Catasauqua PA employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technologist Degrees

As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree colleges. So while you can still obtain your online degree, a substantial portion of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is typically provided in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online segment of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Catasauqua PA residence. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree often find that the online style of learning is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online programs are often more affordable than traditional alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be reduced as well. But just make certain that the online program you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then online classes may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask X Ray Tech Colleges

Once you have decided on the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of finding and evaluating Catasauqua PA x-ray tech schools. You will also need to determine if you want to attend classes online or drive to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be important. The price of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be an important variable also. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you look at when evaluating colleges? Well, you need to ask if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these important details before you make your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you need to ask the colleges you are considering.

Are the Radiology Tech Programs Accredited? A large number of radiology tech schools have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still important to confirm that the program and school 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). Schools earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed examination of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Catasauqua PA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level positions.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the Pennsylvania radiology tech programs you are reviewing have partnerships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific manner to obtain hands on training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist graduates and students establish professional connections in the Catasauqua PA medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Catasauqua PA healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Catasauqua PA home. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area 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 have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Catasauqua PA schools you are looking at what the average teacher to student 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 several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the x-ray tech  school you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Catasauqua PA, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Radiology Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask radiographer candidates is "What made you choose radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for being an X-Ray tech, but additionally what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to organize several ideas about how you want to answer them. Since there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best X-Ray Tech Program near Catasauqua PA

Selecting the appropriate x-ray technician college is a crucial first step toward initiating a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs typically stand for the greater part of the day and position and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety guidelines developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing social skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. As has been addressed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each school you are considering prior to making your final decision. This is equally true whether you participate in an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can examine and compare each school so you can narrow down your choices before making your decision. And with the proper education and your commitment to be successful, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiographer in Catasauqua PA.

Some Background on Catasauqua Pennsylvania

 

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