How to Choose an X-Ray Tech Program near Romulus Michigan
Congratulations on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Romulus MI so you can become a radiologic technician. And now that you have decided to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, just how do you tackle picking the right college and program to ensure that you will get the appropriate training to become a skilled professional? And because most states do mandate that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you may need training to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you investigate each of the colleges you are considering in order to compare each program. Many prospective students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and typically settle on the lowest cost. But while location and cost need to be taken into account, there are other important qualifications also. For example, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are reviewing are provided later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology tech does and the credentials and education choices that are available.
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Radiology Tech Career Description
There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, they all have the identical major job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many opt to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, such as mammography. They may work in Romulus MI clinics, hospitals, private 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 must take care of their equipment and also routinely evaluate its functionality and safety. They are additionally expected to keep complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Romulus MI medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
X-Ray Tech Degrees Available
The standard prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, generally takes 18 months to 2 years to finish 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. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be acceptable as well. Something to consider is that Romulus MI radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It can typically be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which many colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Michigan or the state you will be working as applicable.
Radiographer Certification and Licensing
When you have graduated from an Radiologist college, depending on the state where you will be practicing you may need to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their requirements vary so contact 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. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. However, many Romulus MI 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 accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.
Online X-Ray Technician Degrees
As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges 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 degree online, a significant amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is usually conducted in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online section of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your Romulus MI home. Students who keep working while earning their degree usually discover that the online approach to education is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are generally less costly than conventional alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials can be lessened also. But just make sure that the online program you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online school may be the best choice for you.
What to Ask Radiologic Tech Colleges
Once you have decided on the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can start the process of finding and evaluating Romulus MI x-ray tech colleges. You will also have to decide if you want to attend online classes or drive to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be relevant. The price of tuition and supplementary expenses will be a determining variable as well. But along with location and cost, what more should you look at when evaluating colleges? Well, you need to find out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you find out some of these essential details before you make your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you must ask the schools you are considering.
Are the X-Ray Technician Colleges Accredited? A large number of radiology tech colleges have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still crucial to verify 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). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous assessment of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial assistance 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 many Romulus MI health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level positions.
Are Internships Offered? Ask if the Michigan radiology tech programs you are evaluating have partnerships with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to receive hands on training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Romulus MI health care community and assist with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the radiographer schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Romulus MI healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Romulus MI home. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically 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.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Romulus MI colleges you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program also.
Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the radiographer college you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Romulus MI, make sure that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses 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 Choose to Become a Radiology Technician?
When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask radiographer prospects is "What drove you to decide on radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to radiography, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must ready a number of ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down a few concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.Choose the Right X-Ray Technician School near Romulus MI
Choosing the right x-ray technician degree program is a crucial first step toward initiating a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs often stand for the majority of the workday and position and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. 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 productive work environment and furnish the best possible care to patients. As we have covered in this report, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each school you are assessing prior to making your ultimate selection. This is similarly true whether you enroll in an online program or drive to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each program so you can narrow down your choices before making your decision. And with the appropriate training and your dedication to succeed, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Romulus MI.
Some Background on Romulus Michigan
Romulus, Michigan
Romulus is a suburban city of Metro Detroit, located in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 23,989 at the 2010 census, an increase from 22,979 in 2000, making the city the 80th largest city in Michigan. Romulus is home to Detroit Metropolitan Airport and a General Motors plant (Romulus Engine) that opened in 1975. The city is the westernmost community in the Downriver area in Wayne County.
The first white settler in Romulus was Samuel Polyne, a French-Canadian, who settled on section 2 in 1826, though he left soon after the township was organized in 1835.
The first settler in the area that was the village of Romulus prior to the 1865 annexation of the whole village and township into one city was Samuel McMath, who moved from New York state to the area in 1827. He improved land and planned to bring his family to settle there, but he died before he could carry out this plan.[5]
Solomon Whitaker, Charles and Joseph Pulcifer located in the area in 1830, and in 1833, Jenks Pullen and his six sons settled at what became known as "Pullen's Corners" (located in section 19 at the intersection that is now commonly called "Five Points"). Pullen's Corners was platted in 1836. The community later took on the name of the township.[6][7][8][9]
The township of Romulus was set off from a part of Huron Township by an Act of the Territorial Legislature on March 17, 1835, and the first township meeting was held on April 16, 1835, two years before the State of Michigan was admitted in to the Union (1837), in the house of Joseph T. Pullen. The first supervisor was David J. Pullen. The township's name was changed to "Wayne" on March 19, 1845, but was changed back to Romulus on January 16, 1848.[6][7][8][9]
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