How to Find a Radiologic Tech School near Lehighton Pennsylvania
Congratulations regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Lehighton PA so you can learn to be a radiologic technologist. But now that you have made a decision to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you undertake choosing the right college and program to ensure that you will obtain the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that most states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you may require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you assess each of the schools you are considering so that you can evaluate each program. Many prospective students begin by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and typically settle on the lowest cost. But while location and cost must be taken into consideration, there are other significant qualifications as well. For instance, you must ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are evaluating are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray technician does and the degrees and education choices that are available.
Radiology Technician Work Description
There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, they all have the same principal job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some elect to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for example mammography. They may practice in Lehighton PA hospitals, clinics, 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 and routinely evaluate its functionality and safety. They are additionally required to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Lehighton PA medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
Radiology Technician Degree Options
The primary requirement for attending a radiology tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, generally requires 18 months to two years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as four years to complete and is more extensive in nature. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are appropriate as well. Something to keep in mind is that Lehighton PA radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may often be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Pennsylvania or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
Radiographer Licensing and Certification
After you have graduated from an Radiologist program, depending on the state where you will be working you may need to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their prerequisites vary so check with your state. Currently, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but several accept other alternatives for testing also. A number of states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. However, numerous Lehighton PA employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it could improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every 2 years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.
Online X-Ray Technologist Degrees
As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree programs. So although you can still earn your degree online, a large portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is usually carried out in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online section of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your Lehighton PA home. Students who continue working while earning their degree often find that the online approach to education is much more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online colleges are frequently less costly than conventional alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But just make certain that the online school you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online school may be the best option for you.
Points to Ask Radiographer Schools
After you have selected the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of locating and evaluating Lehighton PA x-ray tech schools. You will also need to determine if you want to attend online classes or travel to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be critical. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be an important variable also. But along with location and cost, what more should you factor in when comparing schools? Well, you should ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details before you make your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are reviewing.
Are the X-Ray Tech Colleges Accredited? The majority of radiology tech schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to make sure that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the program is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Lehighton PA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level openings.
Are Internships Offered? Ask if the Pennsylvania xray technician programs you are reviewing have partnerships with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to receive hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist graduates and students develop professional connections in the Lehighton PA medical community and assist with job placement.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are considering have job assistance 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 Lehighton PA healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they select will need to be within driving distance of their Lehighton PA residence. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online 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 school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Lehighton PA colleges you are looking at 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 ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program as well.
Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the radiographer school you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Lehighton PA, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.
Why Did You Choose to Become an Xray Technician?
When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask radiographer applicants is "What compelled you to choose radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to radiography, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you should prepare some strategies about how you want to answer them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the best choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.Enroll in the Ideal Radiology Tech School near Lehighton PA
Picking the ideal x-ray tech college is an important first step toward starting a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs often stand for the majority of the working day and position and at times lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to follow 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 radiologists and other doctors. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. As has been addressed in this report, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection. This is equally true whether you opt for an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each program so you can focus your options before making your final choice. And with the proper education and your commitment to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a radiographer in Lehighton PA.
Some Background on Lehighton Pennsylvania
Lehighton, Pennsylvania
Lehighton (/li'hɑitən/) is a borough in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, United States, 77 miles (124 km) north of Philadelphia, and 54 miles (87 km) south of Scranton. In the past, it developed early industries because of water power from the Lehigh River. With the location of a repair facility here and its regional operations, the Lehigh Valley Railroad became for years a major employer of thousands of people from the area. Post-World War II railroad and industry restructuring led to job and population losses.
From a peak of nearly 7,000 in 1940, the population was 5,500 at the 2010 census.[4] Lehighton is the most populous borough in Carbon County and still the business hub of the county.
At the time of the first European's encounters with historic American Indian tribes, this area was part of the shared hunting territory of the Iroquoian Susquehannock and the Algonquian Lenape (also called the Delaware, after their language and territory along the Delaware River) peoples, who were often at odds.[5] Relatives of the peoples of New England and along the St. Lawrence valley of Canada, the Delaware bands occupied much of the coastal mid-Atlantic area in Delaware, New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania and lower eastern New York, including Long Island.[5] The Susquehannock confederacy's homelands were mainly along the Susquehanna River, from the Mohawk Valley in lower New York southerly to the Chesapeake and Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, but may have ranged into the 'empty lands'[6] of West Virginia, Eastern Ohio, and Western Pennsylvania.[5] The Dutch and Swedes first settled the Delaware Valley, and found the area north of the Lehigh Gap to be lightly occupied, probably by transients, but traveled regularly by the Susquehannock. This tribe traveled quite a bit according to the American Heritage Book of Indians,[5] including being described in lofty terms by John Smith when a band visited the new Jamestown, Virginia colony.[5] In the decades of the Beaver Wars in the mid-1600s, the Susquehannocks conquered and made the Lenape a tributary tribe — and also nearly inflicted an overwhelming defeat on the powerful Iroquois Confederacy,.[5] Shortly thereafter, the Susquehannocks suffered a reversal, falling first to epidemic disease that raged for three years which killed off potentially 90% of their population,[5] and a series of battles on most of their frontiers as various enemies took advantage.[5] This vacated the southeastern and central Pennsylvania regions for the Delaware peoples. However, all tribes were thereafter displaced westwards by continued colonial growth. Delaware dominance at the time of European colonization is why William Penn's settlers adopted Lenape Lenki (Delaware) names for landscape features, and less than a handful of Susquehannock names.
Lehighton was built on the site of the German Moravian Brethren's mission station "Gnadenhütten" (cabins of grace) founded in 1746. It was established as a mission to the Lenape by Moravians from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, lower on the Lehigh River.[7] The German name was transcribed as "Canatanheat" by missionary John Brainerd.[8]
During the French and Indian Wars (Seven Years' War), Native allies of the French killed 11 missionaries and Lenape (Delaware) converted Christians at Gnadenhutten on 24 November 1755. They destroyed the mission village,[9] and only four of the fifteen residents escaped.[10] (During the American Revolutionary War in 1782, Pennsylvania militia raided another Moravian mission village, also called Gnadenhutten, in present-day Ohio. Suspecting the Lenape of being allied with the British, the militia killed 96 unarmed men, women, and children in what became better known as the Gnadenhutten Massacre.)
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