Schools for Radiologic Technologists Whittemore MI 48770 Archives

How to Select a Radiology Tech Degree Program near Whittemore Michigan

Whittemore MI x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Whittemore MI in order to learn to be a radiology technician. And now that you have made a decision to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, exactly how do you undertake picking the right college and program to ensure that you will obtain the proper training to become a qualified professional? And since the majority of states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you may need preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you assess each of the colleges you are looking at so that you can compare each program. Many prospective students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and frequently settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location need to be taken into account, there are other significant qualifiers also. For instance, you need to find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the schools you are considering are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic technician does and the degrees and education choices that are offered.

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X-Ray Technician Work Summary

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, they all have the same major job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some elect to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for example mammography. They may work in Whittemore MI hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist 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 and routinely assess its performance and safety. They are also expected to retain detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Whittemore MI medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Technician Degrees

x-ray machine in Whittemore MI The standard prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech college is to have received 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 typical among techs, generally requires 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 4 years to finish and is more expansive in scope. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that are appropriate as well. Something to bear in mind is that Whittemore MI radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can typically be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which a large number of schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any certification or licensing requirements in Michigan or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, based on the state where you will be employed you may need to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their criteria vary so contact your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but many provide additional options for testing also. Several states also call for certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. However, many Whittemore MI employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it might increase 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 comprehensive exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technician Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Whittemore 48770 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical 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 substantial amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is typically provided in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online portion of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Whittemore MI residence. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree often find that the online approach to learning is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are generally less costly than on-campus alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting may be reduced as well. But just make sure that the online program you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online school may be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Radiographer Programs

As soon as you have decided on the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of finding and evaluating Whittemore MI x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to decide if you want to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be important. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be a material factor as well. But along with cost and location, what more should you factor in when evaluating colleges? Well, you need to ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these crucial details before you make your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you need to ask the colleges you are considering.

Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? A large number of radiology tech schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still crucial to confirm that the program and school 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 gone through a detailed evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the program is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Whittemore MI employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level openings.

Are Internships Provided? Find out if the Michigan xray technician colleges you are evaluating have associations with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great means to get hands on training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates form professional connections in the Whittemore MI healthcare community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the radiographer programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Whittemore MI healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will have to be within travelling distance of their Whittemore MI home. Those who have decided 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 concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Whittemore MI schools you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the radiographer program you finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Whittemore MI, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Radiology Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask radiographer prospects is "What made you decide on radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being an X-Ray tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should ready a number of ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Radiology Technician College near Whittemore MI

Selecting the right x-ray tech school is a crucial first step toward initiating a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs often stand for the greater part of the day and move and in some cases lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to observe the safety guidelines designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. 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 good work environment and furnish the best possible patient care. As has been discussed in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each program you are considering prior to making your final decision. This is equally true whether you enroll in an online program or travel to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each college so you can narrow down your options and make your final choice. And with the right education and your motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiographer in Whittemore MI.

Some Background on Whittemore Michigan

Whittemore, Michigan

Whittemore is a city in Iosco County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 384 at the 2010 census, which makes Whittemore the fourth smallest city in the state.[6]

A post office was established here on April 13, 1880.[7] Whitemore was incorporated as a city in 1907.[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.99 square miles (2.56 km2), all land.[1][6]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 384 people, 183 households, and 96 families residing in the city. The population density was 387.9 inhabitants per square mile (149.8/km2). There were 226 housing units at an average density of 228.3 per square mile (88.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.8% White, 1.3% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.3% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.1% of the population.

There were 183 households of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.7% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.5% were non-families. 39.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.79.