How to Pick a Radiology Tech Program near Charleston West Virginia

Best wishes on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Charleston WV so you can learn to be a radiology technician. And now that you have decided to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you tackle choosing the right school and program to ensure that you will get the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And since most states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you subsequently practice you may require preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you investigate each of the colleges you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. A number of students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and usually settle on the most affordable cost. But while location and cost must be considered, there are additional significant qualifications also. For instance, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are evaluating are provided later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray technician does and the degrees and education choices that are offered.

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X-Ray Technician Job Summary

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, they all have the same principal job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some opt to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They may work in Charleston WV 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 must maintain their equipment and also regularly evaluate its functionality and safety. They are additionally required to keep in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Charleston WV medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degree Options

The basic prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, normally requires 18 months to two years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to four years to finish and is more extensive in nature. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that are appropriate also. One thing to keep in mind is that Charleston WV radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may often be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which a large number of colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any licensing or certification requirements in West Virginia or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiographer Licensing and Certification

After you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, depending on the state where you will be working you may have to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their requirements vary so check with your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but a number accept other options for testing as well. Some states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, if not it is optional. However, numerous Charleston WV employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technician Degrees

As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree colleges. So although you can still obtain your degree online, a considerable portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an internship off-campus. Clinical training is typically conducted in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online section of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Charleston WV home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree often find that the online style of education is much more practical with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are frequently less expensive than conventional alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting may be lessened also. But just be sure that the online school you pick is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online degree may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Radiologic Tech Schools

When you have decided on the type of degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of finding and evaluating Charleston WV x-ray tech colleges. You will also have to decide if you want to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the school will be critical. The price of tuition and secondary expenses will be a material variable also. But along with location and cost, what else should you factor in when comparing colleges? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these important details before you make your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are considering.

Are the X-Ray Technician Programs Accredited? Most xray tech schools have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to make sure that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive assessment of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also help in securing 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 Charleston WV health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level openings.

Are Internships Sponsored? Inquire if the West Virginia radiology technician programs you are interested in have associations with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to get hands on training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help students and graduates form professional relationships in the Charleston WV healthcare community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Charleston WV healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Charleston WV residence. Students who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps 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 commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Charleston WV schools you are considering 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 decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the x-ray tech  program you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Charleston WV, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative 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 because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Radiology Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask radiographer prospects is "What drove you to decide on radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for being a radiology technician, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready some approaches about how you want to answer them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Pick the Ideal X-Ray Tech School near Charleston WV

Selecting the right x-ray tech degree program is an important first step toward beginning a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs frequently stand for the greater part of the day and position 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 comply with the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best possible care to patients. As has been covered in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are looking at prior to making your final selection. This is just as true whether you opt for an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each program so you can narrow down your choices before making your decision. And with the right education and your dedication to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as a x-ray tech in Charleston WV.

Some Background on Charleston West Virginia

 

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