How to Select an Xray Tech Degree Program near Memphis Texas
Congratulations regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Memphis TX in order to learn to be a radiologic technologist. But now that you have decided to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, exactly how do you tackle selecting the ideal school and program to ensure that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And because most states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you might require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s imperative that you investigate each of the schools you are considering so that you can evaluate each program. Most prospective students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and frequently gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while expense and location should be taken into consideration, there are other important qualifiers also. For instance, you must ask if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the schools you are reviewing are presented later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a x-ray technician does and the credentials and education choices that are available.
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Radiology Tech Job Summary
There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, they all have the same primary job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some choose to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for example mammography. They may practice in Memphis TX hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician might utilize 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 performance and safety. They are additionally required to keep in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Memphis TX medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered
The standard requirement for attending an x-ray tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, normally requires 18 months to two years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to complete and is more expansive in nature. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be acceptable also. One thing to bear in mind is that Memphis TX radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may typically be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which many schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Texas or the state you will be working as applicable.
Radiographer Licensing and Certification
After you have graduated from an Radiologist college, depending on the state where you will be employed you may have to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their requirements vary so get in touch with your state. Currently, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but a number approve other options for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is voluntary. However, many Memphis TX employers will only hire radiology techs that are certified so it might enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every 2 years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.
Online Radiology Technician Classes
As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree schools. So although you can still earn your degree online, a large portion of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is usually performed in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online segment of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Memphis TX residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree often find that the online style of learning is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are frequently less costly than on-campus options. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be reduced also. But just be sure that the online program you pick is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then online classes may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges
Once you have decided on the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of looking for and assessing Memphis TX x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to determine if you want to attend classes online or travel to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be relevant. The cost of tuition and secondary expenditures will be a determining variable also. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you look at when comparing colleges? Well, you should ask if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these important details prior to making your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are considering.
Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? A large number of xray technician schools have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still important to confirm that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Memphis TX health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry-level openings.
Are Internships Provided? Find out if the Texas xray tech schools you are evaluating have partnerships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to receive hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help graduates and students form professional relationships in the Memphis TX medical community and help with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Memphis TX healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Memphis TX home. Students who have decided 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 concern. One thing to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally 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 likes to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Memphis TX schools you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program as well.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the x-ray tech school you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Memphis TX, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Why Did You Want to Become a Radiologic Technologist?
When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's advantageous to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask radiographer prospects is "What compelled you to select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must organize a number of ideas about how you want to respond to them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.Enroll in the Best Radiology Tech Program near Memphis TX
Picking the ideal radiology tech school is a crucial first step toward starting a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs regularly stand for the greater part of the day and move and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to adhere to the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and furnish the best possible care to patients. As we have discussed in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are reviewing prior to making your final selection. This is equally true whether you enroll in an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each college so you can focus your choices and make your decision. And with the right training and your commitment to be successful, you can achieve your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Memphis TX.
Some Background on Memphis Texas
Memphis, Texas
Memphis is a city and the county seat of Hall County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 2,290.
Memphis, Texas, the county seat of Hall County, is at the junction of U.S. Highway 287, State Highway 256, and Farm Road 1547, in the northeastern part of the county. It started in 1889, when J. C. Montgomery purchased land for a townsite north of Salisbury on the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway. This land had been previously owned by W. H. Robertson, who had a dugout near Parker Creek. Montgomery and Robertson, with Rev. J. W. Brice and T. J. Woods, Jr., of Dallas, formed a townsite company and presented a plat early in January 1890. P. M. Kelly opened a law office. A rooming house (later the Memphis Hotel), a general store, a drugstore, and several residences were soon erected. For a time, the new town was without a name. Several suggestions were submitted to federal postal authorities, but with negative results. Finally, as the story goes, Reverend Brice, while in Austin, happened to see a letter addressed by accident to Memphis, Texas, rather than Tennessee, with the notation "no such town in Texas". The name was submitted and accepted, and a post office was established on September 12, 1890, with Robertson as postmaster.
In the meantime, Hall County was being organized. Memphis was engaged in a heated county seat battle with neighboring Salisbury and Lakeview. Memphis won the election with a total of 84 votes. County officers were elected in June, and a school district was subsequently formed. Since Memphis was without a depot and trains did not stop there, certain citizens sought to remedy that situation by smearing the tracks with lye soap. A subsequent agreement was struck between town promoters and railroad officials. In 1891, a depot was built, and businesses were moved on wheels from Salisbury to the new county seat, where a courthouse of homemade bricks was constructed in 1892.
Memphis thus enjoyed a boom period. Two saloons, a bank, numerous stores, blacksmith shops, and livery stables attested to its role as a shipping and trading center for area ranchers and farmers. The Missionary Baptist Church was organized in Memphis; its minister Rev. J. L. Pyle began Baptist congregations throughout the county. Telephone service was first installed in 1901. In June 1906, the town was incorporated with a mayor-council form of city government. The Memphis Cotton Oil Mill was established in 1907. Memphis had at one time or another several newspapers, including the Hall County Record (1889–93), the Hall County Herald (1890–1928), the Memphis Journal (1892–94), the Memphis Times (1896), the Memphis Leader (1897–99), the Hall County News (1897–1903), and the Memphis News (1928–29). The only newspaper extant in 1986, the Memphis Democrat, was launched in 1908 and went through a succession of owners. By the 1920s, Memphis had a new brick-and-stone courthouse, modern utilities, a cotton compress, three hotels, brick school buildings, and a Carnegie Library. In 1922, the city's Morning Side addition was founded east of the tracks as a residential area for blacks who labored in the cotton fields and mills. In 1935, E. M. Ewen and his wife formed the Hall County Old Settlers' Reunion (later the Hall County Picnic Association). Four years later, they staged a rodeo as part of the annual two-day celebration.
Since the Great Depression era, Memphis has continued as a farm supply center. In 1986, the city had a cotton compress, gins, a grain elevator, two banks, eight churches, four public schools, a modern medical complex, two motels, several mercantile stores (including three wholesale houses), and a municipal airport northeast of town. In addition, Memphis is noted for its tree-lined streets, city park, one swimming pool, community center, and 50 blocks of brick paving laid in 1926. Brookhollow Country Club Lake, a private fishing lake with cabin sites, is six miles northeast of the city. Heritage Hall, which occupies the old First National Bank building on the square, contains local history displays and natural science exhibits. The population was 3,332 in 1960 and 3,352 in 1980. Memphis reported 81 businesses in 1984. United States Congressman Jack Hightower comes from Memphis. The route of the annual Cotton Boll Enduro, a 125-mile cross-country motorcycle event held in late October, begins and ends at Memphis.[3] In 1990 Memphis had a population of 2,465. The population was 2,479 in 2000 and 2,290 in 2010. [4]
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