How to Become an X Ray Technician Newaygo MI 49337 Archives - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Pick an X-Ray Tech Program near Newaygo Michigan

Newaygo MI x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Newaygo MI in order to become a radiologic technologist. And now that you have chosen to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you tackle selecting the ideal college and program so that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And since the majority of states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you might require preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you investigate each of the colleges you are considering in order to evaluate each program. Many potential students begin by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and often settle on the lowest cost. But while cost and location must be taken into consideration, there are other critical qualifications also. For example, you must find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are reviewing are provided later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic technician does and the degrees and education options that are offered.

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X-Ray Tech Work Description

There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, they all have the same principal job description, which is to use 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. Many opt to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for example mammography. They may practice in Newaygo MI clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician 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 plus frequently evaluate its performance and safety. They are also expected to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Newaygo MI health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Available

x-ray machine in Newaygo MI The primary requirement for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, usually takes 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 finish and is more expansive in scope. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be appropriate also. Something to consider is that Newaygo MI radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may often be fulfilled by taking part in an externship program which many schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals 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.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

After you have graduated from an X-Ray tech program, based on the state where you will be practicing you may have to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites differ so check with your state. Currently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but several offer additional alternatives for testing as well. Several states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. However, numerous Newaygo MI employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technologist Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Newaygo 49337 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree colleges. So while you can still earn your online degree, a considerable amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is typically carried out in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online portion of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your Newaygo MI residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree usually discover that the online style of education is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are generally less expensive than on-campus alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials may be lessened also. But just be sure that the online school you pick is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online school may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask X Ray Tech Programs

As soon as you have selected the kind of degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of searching for and evaluating Newaygo MI x-ray tech schools. You will also have to determine if you want to attend online classes or drive to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the school will be relevant. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be a determining factor also. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you factor in when comparing schools? Well, you should find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these important details prior to making your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are looking at.

Are the X-Ray Tech Programs Accredited? Most xray tech schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still imperative to verify that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly respected 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 a rigorous examination of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it might also earn 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. Besides guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also help in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Newaygo MI employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Provided? Inquire if the Michigan xray technician colleges you are evaluating have relationships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to obtain practical experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help students and graduates form professional relationships in the Newaygo MI healthcare community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Newaygo MI healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Newaygo MI home. Students who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Newaygo MI colleges you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the radiographer school you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Newaygo MI, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become an Xray Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask radiographer applicants is "What compelled you to pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming an Xray technician, but additionally what attributes and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare a number of approaches about how you would like to address them. Since there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Radiology Technician College near Newaygo MI

Choosing the ideal x-ray technician degree program is a crucial first step toward starting a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs regularly stand for the majority of the working day and position and at times lift the patient to get the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing social skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best possible patient care. As has been addressed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are looking at before making your final decision. This is just as true whether you decide on an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each school so you can narrow down your options and make your final choice. And with the proper training and your dedication to be successful, you can achieve your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Newaygo MI.

Some Background on Newaygo Michigan

Newaygo County, Michigan

Newaygo County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 48,460.[2] The county seat is White Cloud.[3] The county was created in 1840 and organized in 1851. It was either named for an Ojibwe leader who signed the Treaty of Saginaw in 1819[1] or for an Algonquian word meaning "much water".[4]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 862 square miles (2,230 km2), of which 813 square miles (2,110 km2) is land and 48 square miles (120 km2) (5.6%) is covered by water.[5] The county is considered to be part of West Michigan.

The county has more than 230 natural lakes. The combined total of all the rivers and streams is longer than 350 miles. Three huge dams, Croton, Hardy, and Newaygo, were built at the beginning of the 20th century. The Hardy Dam is the largest earthen dam east of the Mississippi.[6] Over half of the county is in the Manistee National Forest.

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 47,874 people, 17,599 households, and 12,935 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 23,202 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.80% White, 1.12% Black or African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.63% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. 3.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.5% were of English ancestry, 20.5% were of German ancestry, 14.4% were of Dutch ancestry, 8.1% were of Irish ancestry and 5.0% were of Polish ancestry according to the 2010 American Community Survey.[13] 95.7% spoke English and 3.2% Spanish as their first language.

There were 17,599 households out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.20% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.50% were non-families. 22.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.13.