How to Choose a Radiologic Technician Degree Program near Monroeville Pennsylvania

Congrats regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Monroeville PA in order to train to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have chosen to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you undertake choosing the ideal school and program to ensure that you will get the proper training to become a skilled professional? And considering that most states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you might require training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you assess each of the colleges you are considering in order to compare each program. Most students start by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and typically gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while expense and location must be taken into account, there are other critical qualifiers also. For example, you must ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you must ask the schools you are reviewing are presented later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a radiologic technician does and the degrees and education options that are offered.

X-Ray Technician Job Description

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, they all have the same fundamental job function, 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 work as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, such as mammography. They may practice in Monroeville PA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician 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 regularly assess its functionality and safety. They are additionally expected to retain in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Monroeville PA health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Tech Degrees Available

The primary requirement for attending an x-ray tech college is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as four years to complete and is more extensive in scope. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that may be appropriate also. One thing to consider is that Monroeville PA radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may frequently be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their region. After 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 working as applicable.

Radiographer Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, based on the state where you will be working you may need to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites differ so check with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but a number provide additional alternatives for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. However, numerous Monroeville PA employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may increase 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 requires re-certification every other year, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technologist Classes

As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree schools. So even though you can still earn your degree online, a large portion of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an internship off-campus. Practical training is often performed in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online section of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Monroeville PA residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree often find that the online approach to education is far more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online colleges are frequently less costly than conventional alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials can be lessened as well. But just make certain that the online college you pick is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online degree may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Radiologic Tech Schools

Once you have selected the kind of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of looking for and assessing Monroeville PA x-ray technician schools. You will also have to determine if you want to attend classes online or drive to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the school will be critical. The price of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be an important variable also. But along with cost and location, what else should you factor in when reviewing schools? Well, you should find out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details prior to making your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you need to ask the programs you are looking at.

Are the Radiology Technician Schools Accredited? A large number of xray technician colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to make sure that the program and school 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 earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed examination of their instructors 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 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 assist in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Monroeville PA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level positions.

Are Internships Provided? Inquire if the Pennsylvania radiology tech programs you are assessing have partnerships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a great way to receive practical experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help graduates and students develop professional connections in the Monroeville PA healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the radiographer programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Monroeville PA healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Monroeville PA home. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps 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 frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Monroeville PA colleges you are researching 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 a chance to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology tech program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the x-ray tech  school you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Monroeville PA, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Choose to Be an X-Ray Tech?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask radiographer prospects is "What compelled you to select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the private reasons you might have for being a radiology technician, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize several ideas about how you would like to answer them. Since there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Right Radiology Tech Program near Monroeville PA

Choosing the ideal x-ray technician school is a crucial first step toward launching a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs regularly stand for the greater part of the workday 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 comply with the safety requirements 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 productive work environment and furnish the best available patient care. As has been addressed in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at before making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you enroll in an online program or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each school so you can narrow down your options before making your final choice. And with the proper training and your commitment to be successful, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Monroeville PA.

Some Background on Monroeville Pennsylvania

 

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