How to Select an X-Ray Tech Degree Program near Lampeter Pennsylvania

Congratulations regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Lampeter PA in order to train to be a radiology technologist. But now that you have made a decision to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you set about choosing the right school and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a qualified practitioner? And because most states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you may need training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you investigate each of the schools you are considering in order to compare each program. A number of potential students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and usually gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location should be considered, there are other critical qualifiers also. For example, you should find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are examining are provided later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic technician does and the credentials and training choices that are offered.

Radiology Tech Work Summary

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, each has the identical 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 provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some opt to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, such as mammography. They can practice in Lampeter 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 maintain their equipment and also routinely evaluate its performance and safety. They are additionally required to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Lampeter PA health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Tech Degree Options

The standard requirement for attending a radiology tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity 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 longer at up to four years to complete and is more expansive in scope. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that are appropriate also. One thing to bear in mind is that Lampeter PA radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can typically be satisfied by taking part in an externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Pennsylvania or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an Radiologist college, depending on the state where you will be working you may need to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria vary so check with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but many offer additional alternatives for testing also. A number of states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is voluntary. However, many Lampeter PA employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it could enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Technician Schools

As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree programs. So while 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. Practical training is usually conducted in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online segment of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Lampeter PA residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree often discover that the online style of education is far more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online programs are often less expensive than conventional options. In addition to lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be reduced as well. But just be sure that the online college you pick is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online degree may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Radiology Tech Schools

Once you have chosen the kind of degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of searching for and assessing Lampeter PA x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be critical. The price of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a determining factor also. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you consider when comparing schools? Well, you should check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details prior to making your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are assessing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of radiology tech schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still imperative to confirm that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous review of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it can also obtain 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. In addition to guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Lampeter PA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level jobs.

Are Internships Offered? Inquire if the Pennsylvania xray technician schools you are evaluating have relationships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific means to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Lampeter PA medical community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Lampeter PA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Lampeter PA residence. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide 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 often 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.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Lampeter PA schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology tech program also.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the radiographer  program you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Lampeter PA, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Radiology Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask radiographer applicants is "What made you pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of ideas about how you want to address them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Radiology Tech College near Lampeter PA

Picking the ideal x-ray tech college is an important first step toward launching a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. Radiology 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 demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety guidelines developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having social skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and furnish the best available care to patients. As we have discussed in this report, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each school you are assessing before making your final decision. This is similarly true whether you participate in an online program or commute to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each college so you can focus your choices and make your decision. And with the appropriate training and your motivation to be successful, you can reach your goal to work as a radiology tech in Lampeter PA.

Some Background on Lampeter Pennsylvania

 

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