How to Select an X-Ray Tech School near Perrysburg Ohio
Congrats on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Perrysburg OH so you can train to be a radiology technician. But now that you have decided to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you tackle picking the ideal school and program so that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And because the majority of states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you may require training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s imperative that you research each of the schools you are considering in order to compare each program. Many prospective students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and typically gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while location and cost need to be taken into account, there are additional important qualifications as well. For example, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are examining are presented later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a x-ray tech does and the degrees and training choices that are available.
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Radiology Tech Career Description
There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, they all have the same principal job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many elect to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for instance mammography. They may practice in Perrysburg OH 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 take care of their equipment plus regularly assess its performance and safety. They are also required to keep in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Perrysburg OH medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered
The basic requirement for attending a radiology tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, normally requires 18 months to two years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to finish and is more extensive in nature. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are acceptable as well. Something to bear in mind is that Perrysburg OH radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It can frequently be satisfied by taking part in an externship program which many schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing requirements in Ohio or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
Radiographer Licensing and Certification
When you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, based on the state where you will be working you may have to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary so get in touch with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but many approve other options for testing as well. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. Having said that, many Perrysburg OH employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it may enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.
Online Radiology Technologist Programs
As a part 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 while you can still earn your degree online, a substantial amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off-campus. Practical training is typically performed in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online section of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your Perrysburg OH residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree usually discover that the online approach to education is far more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are generally less expensive than conventional options. Along with reduced tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials may be lessened also. But just confirm that the online school you pick is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then online classes may be the ideal option for you.
Subjects to Ask Radiologic Tech Schools
As soon as you have selected the kind of degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of locating and evaluating Perrysburg OH x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to decide if you prefer to attend classes online or travel to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be critical. The price of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a material factor as well. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you factor in when comparing colleges? Well, you need to ask if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these crucial details prior to making your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are assessing.
Are the X-Ray Tech Colleges Accredited? A large number of radiology tech schools have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to make sure that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly regarded 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 undergone an extensive evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Perrysburg OH employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level openings.
Are Internships Offered? Ask if the Ohio xray technician schools you are evaluating have partnerships with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to obtain practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help students and graduates form professional connections in the Perrysburg OH healthcare community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Perrysburg OH healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Perrysburg OH residence. Those who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Perrysburg OH colleges you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program as well.
Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the x-ray tech program you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Perrysburg OH, confirm 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 have to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Why Did You Want to Be an X-Ray Tech?
When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask radiographer applicants is "What made you decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being an X-Ray tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must prepare a number of approaches about how you would like to answer them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.Pick the Best Radiology Tech School near Perrysburg OH
Picking the appropriate radiology tech college is a critical first step toward starting a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs frequently stand for the greater part of the day and move and at times lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having social skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and provide the best available patient care. As we have discussed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are looking at prior to making your final selection. This is similarly true whether you enroll in an online school or drive to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each program so you can narrow down your choices before making your final choice. And with the right education and your commitment to be successful, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Perrysburg OH.
Some Background on Perrysburg Ohio
Perrysburg, Ohio
Perrysburg is a city in Wood County, Ohio, United States, along the south side of the Maumee River. The population was 20,623 at the 2010 census. Located about 12 miles southwest of Toledo, it was founded before the now larger port city on Lake Erie. It has since become a suburb of the city.
Perrysburg lies near the center of the Twelve Mile Square Reservation, a tract of land ceded by the Odawa people to the United States of America by the Treaty of Greenville in 1795 following the end of the Northwest Indian Wars. They had occupied this territory since the turn of the 18th century, after having settled in the region of the French trading post at Fort Detroit. The Odawa had controlled much of the territory along the Maumee River in present-day northwestern Ohio.[6]
In 1810, early European-American settlers here were Major Amos Spafford (1753-1818), his wife Olive (1756-1823), and their four children. In 1796, Spafford, a native of Connecticut, was a surveyor for the Connecticut Land Company. He drew the first map laying out Cleveland and named the city. He left there in 1810 following appointment as custom's collector and postmaster for the new port at the foot of the rapids of the Maumee River, Port Miami of Lake Erie. Spafford was granted a 160-acre land patent on River Tract #64 in Waynesfield township, signed by President James Monroe. Two years later, 67 families lived in the area, but most fled at the outbreak of the War of 1812.[7] After the war and the 1817 Treaty of Fort Meigs, which extinguished Odawa claim to this area, Spafford purchased the land.
When the war clouds of 1812 began to creep upon Northwest Ohio, General William Henry Harrison ordered the construction of the fort, beginning in February 1813. Harrison was General Anthony Wayne's former aide-de-camp. Later he was elected as the country's ninth president. The installation was named Fort Meigs in honor of Ohio's fourth governor, Return Jonathan Meigs. Fort Meigs was constructed on a bluff above the Maumee River, and built from a design by the army engineer Captain Eleazer D. Wood, for whom the county would be named. Two critical battles with the British were fought at the fort during the War of 1812.
Early settlers in the area fled to Huron during the War of 1812. They returned to settle in the floodplain below Fort Meigs, calling the settlement Orleans. They moved to higher ground after being flooded out. Perrysburg was located by a surveying team led by Alexander Bourne, appointed to that position by Edward Tiffin, Surveyor General of the United States. Contrary to numerous Internet postings, Charles Pierre L'Enfant did not survey and plat Perrysburg, Ohio on April 27, 1816; this survey was performed in late June / early July, 1816 by surveyors Joseph Wampler and William Brookfield under the auspices of Alexander Bourne and Josiah Meigs, Surveyor General of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri.[8]
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