How to Select an X-Ray Technician Program near Olympia Washington

Congrats on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Olympia WA so you can train to be a radiology technician. And now that you have decided to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, exactly how do you tackle selecting the right school and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that most states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you may require preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s imperative that you research each of the colleges you are considering so that you can compare each program. A number of prospective 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 expense and location need to be considered, there are additional critical qualifications as well. For example, you need to ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are reviewing are presented later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray technician does and the credentials and training options that are offered.

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X-Ray Tech Occupation Description

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, they all have the same fundamental job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some elect to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, such as mammography. They may practice in Olympia WA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech may work with include:

• Traditional and specialized X-Rays
• Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Sonography or ultrasound
• Fluoroscopy

Radiographers must care for their equipment and frequently assess its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to retain in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Olympia WA medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Available

The standard prerequisite for attending an x-ray tech college is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, generally requires 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 4 years to finish and is more extensive in nature. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are acceptable as well. Something to keep in mind is that Olympia WA radiographer schools 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 internship or externship program which many schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their area. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Washington or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Licensing and Certification

After you have graduated from an X-Ray tech school, depending on the state where you will be practicing you might need to be licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites differ so get in touch with your state. Currently, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but several offer additional options for testing as well. A number of states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, numerous Olympia WA employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it might improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program in addition to 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 examination.

Online X-Ray Technologist Degrees

As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree schools. So although you can still earn your online degree, a considerable portion of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is typically carried out in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online segment of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your Olympia WA home. Students who keep working while earning their degree often find that the online approach to education is much more practical with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are often more affordable than traditional alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be lessened as well. But just make certain that the online school you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages 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 right choice for you.

What to Ask X Ray Tech Programs

Once you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of finding and evaluating Olympia WA x-ray tech colleges. You will also have to decide if you want to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be important. The price of tuition and secondary expenditures will be an important variable as well. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you factor in when reviewing colleges? Well, you need to check out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these crucial details before you make your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you must ask the schools you are looking at.

Are the X-Ray Tech Colleges Accredited? Most xray technician schools have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to confirm that the school and program 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 rigorous evaluation of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance 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 superior education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Olympia WA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level openings.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out if the Washington radiology tech programs you are reviewing have associations with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to receive practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help students and graduates form professional connections in the Olympia WA medical community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the radiographer schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Olympia WA healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Olympia WA home. 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 local internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you decide 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 normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Olympia WA colleges you are researching what the average 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 converse with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program also.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the radiographer  college you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Olympia WA, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Want to Become an Xray Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's important to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers typically ask radiographer candidates is "What drove you to choose radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being an X-Ray tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare some strategies about how you want to respond to them. Since there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Radiology Technician College near Olympia WA

Choosing the right x-ray tech college is an important first step toward initiating a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs typically stand for the majority of the workday and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and deliver the best possible patient care. As we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision. This is just as true whether you opt for an online program or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each program so you can narrow down your choices before making your final choice. And with the right training and your motivation to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to work as a radiographer in Olympia WA.

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