Schools for Radiologic Technologists Curwensville PA 16833 Archives

How to Pick an X-Ray Technician Degree Program near Curwensville Pennsylvania

Curwensville PA x-ray tech internship program Congratulations regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Curwensville PA in order to train to be a radiology technologist. And now that you have decided to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, just how do you go about selecting the right school and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a skilled professional? And considering that the majority of states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s imperative that you investigate each of the schools you are looking at so that you can compare each program. A number of potential students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and usually settle on the most affordable cost. But while location and cost must be considered, there are additional important qualifications as well. For example, you should ask whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are considering are presented later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a radiologic tech does and the credentials and training choices that are offered.

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X-Ray Technician Work Description

There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, each has the same major job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some elect to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for example mammography. They may practice in Curwensville PA clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech 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 care for their equipment plus frequently analyze its functionality and safety. They are also expected to retain detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Curwensville PA health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees

x-ray machine in Curwensville PA The basic prerequisite for attending an x-ray tech school is to have received 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 as much as four years to finish and is more expansive in scope. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that are acceptable also. Something to bear in mind is that Curwensville PA radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It can typically be satisfied by participating in an externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification mandates in Pennsylvania or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an X-Ray tech school, depending on the state where you will be employed you may have to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their prerequisites differ so contact your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but several approve other alternatives for testing as well. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, many Curwensville PA employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it could increase 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 exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every other year, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Tech Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Curwensville 16833 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 programs. So although you can still earn your degree online, a substantial amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an internship off-campus. Clinical training is often provided in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online segment of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Curwensville PA home. Students who continue working while earning their degree typically find that the online style of education is far more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are generally less costly than conventional alternatives. Along with reduced tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting may be decreased as well. But just make sure that the online program you select is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then online classes may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Radiology Tech Programs

As soon as you have chosen the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can start the process of looking for and assessing Curwensville PA x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be relevant. The price of tuition and ancillary expenses will be an important factor as well. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you factor in when reviewing schools? Well, you need to check out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these important details prior to making your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you must ask the schools you are considering.

Are the Radiology Tech Colleges Accredited? Most xray technician schools have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to verify that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed examination of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting organizations 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 help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Curwensville PA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Provided? Ask if the Pennsylvania radiology technician programs you are reviewing have partnerships with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific way to get hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist students and graduates form professional connections in the Curwensville PA healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Curwensville PA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Curwensville PA residence. Those who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing 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 might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Curwensville PA schools you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want 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 also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the radiographer school you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Curwensville PA, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Radiology Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask radiographer applicants is "What drove you to decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare several strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Radiology Tech School near Curwensville PA

Choosing the best radiology technician school is a crucial first step toward initiating a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs regularly stand for the greater part of the working day and move and sometimes lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects 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 radiologists and other doctors. Having social skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and furnish the best possible care to patients. As we have addressed in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are reviewing before making your final selection. This is just as true whether you decide on an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each program so you can focus your options and make your final choice. And with the proper training and your dedication to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Curwensville PA.

Some Background on Curwensville Pennsylvania

Curwensville, Pennsylvania

Curwensville is a borough in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States, 45 miles (72 km) north of Altoona on the West Branch Susquehanna River. Coal mining, tanning, and the manufacture of fire bricks were the industries at the turn of the 20th century. In 1900, 1,937 people lived in the borough, and in 1910, 2,549 lived there. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the borough had a population of 2,542.[3] The population of the borough at its highest was 3,422 in 1940.

Curwensville was named for John Curwen in 1799.[4] Curwensville became the second borough of Clearfield County in 1851.

North American Refractories Company (NARCO) was a brick plant in Curwensville. The "Brick Yard" as most called it in the community made many different types of brick. Seneca, acid, and cardic brick were all manufactured in NARCO. They were also noted for hot gun models and specialty shapes.

Curwensville is located near the center of Clearfield County at 40°58′24″N 78°31′20″W / 40.97333°N 78.52222°W / 40.97333; -78.52222 (40.973408, -78.522318),[5] along the banks of the West Branch Susquehanna River. Curwensville Lake on the West Branch is impounded 2 miles (3 km) south of the borough and extends 6 miles (10 km) southwest to Lumber City. Pennsylvania Route 879 passes through Curwensville, leading northeast (downstream) 6 miles (10 km) to Clearfield, the county seat, and west 5 miles (8 km) to Grampian.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Curwensville has a total area of 2.33 square miles (6.04 km2), of which 2.23 square miles (5.77 km2) is land and 0.10 square miles (0.27 km2), or 4.49%, is water.[3]