How to Find a Radiology Tech Program near King of Prussia Pennsylvania

Congrats on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near King of Prussia PA so you can train to be a radiologic technician. But now that you have chosen to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you set about choosing the ideal school and program so that you will get the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And since most states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you might require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you investigate each of the schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Most potential students begin by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and typically gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location must be taken into consideration, there are other important qualifications also. For example, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are evaluating are provided later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic tech does and the credentials and education choices that are offered.

X-Ray Tech Occupation Summary

There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, they all have the identical primary job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many opt to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for example mammography. They can work in King of Prussia PA clinics, hospitals, family 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 must take care of their equipment and also regularly evaluate its performance and safety. They are also expected to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As King of Prussia PA health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Tech Degree Options

The standard prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, normally takes 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 four years to complete and is more expansive in scope. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that may be acceptable also. Something to consider is that King of Prussia PA radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It may frequently be satisfied by taking part in an internship or externship program which many colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Pennsylvania or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing

Once you have graduated from an Radiologist program, based on the state where you will be employed you may need to be licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their requirements differ so get in touch with your state. At present, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but several provide additional options for testing also. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. However, many King of Prussia PA employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it could increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every 2 years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Tech Programs

As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree programs. So even though you can still earn your online degree, a substantial portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is typically carried out in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online portion of the training may be attended in the privacy of your King of Prussia PA home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree typically find that the online style of education is far more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are frequently less expensive than conventional options. In addition to reduced tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting may be decreased also. But just be sure that the online college you select is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online degree may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Radiologic Tech Schools

When you have decided on the kind of degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of looking for and evaluating King of Prussia PA x-ray technician schools. You will also have to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or drive to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the college will be relevant. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be an important factor also. But along with cost and location, what more should you look at when reviewing schools? Well, you need to ask if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these crucial details prior to making your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are looking at.

Are the X-Ray Tech Colleges Accredited? Most xray tech colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still crucial to confirm that the school and program 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). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous examination of their instructors and educational materials. If the program is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged 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 securing financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of King of Prussia PA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry-level openings.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the Pennsylvania radiology technician colleges you are reviewing have relationships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to get practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist students and graduates establish professional relationships in the King of Prussia PA medical community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask 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 an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with King of Prussia PA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their King of Prussia PA residence. Students who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the King of Prussia PA schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the radiographer  school you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in King of Prussia PA, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Radiology Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask radiographer applicants is "What made you decide on radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming a radiology technician, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you should prepare a number of strategies about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Select the Ideal X-Ray Technician School near King of Prussia PA

Picking the appropriate radiology technician college is an important first step toward initiating a satisfying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs regularly stand for the greater part of the workday and position and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to observe 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 radiologists and other doctors. Having social skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and deliver the best available patient care. As has been discussed in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are reviewing prior to making your final selection. This is similarly true whether you opt for an online school or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can examine and compare each program so you can narrow down your choices before making your final choice. And with the proper education and your commitment to be successful, you can realize your goal to work as a radiographer in King of Prussia PA.

Some Background on King of Prussia Pennsylvania

 

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