How to Select an X-Ray Technician Degree Program near Fredericksburg Pennsylvania
Congrats regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Fredericksburg PA in order to train to be a radiology technologist. But now that you have decided to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you set about selecting the ideal school and program to ensure that you will obtain the proper training to become a qualified professional? And considering that the majority of states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you might require training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you research each of the colleges you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Many potential students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and frequently gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while location and cost must be taken into account, there are additional significant qualifiers also. For instance, you need to ask whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are reviewing are provided later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology technician does and the credentials and training choices that are available.
Radiology Tech Work Description
There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, each has the same principal job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some elect to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, such as mammography. They can work in Fredericksburg PA hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech may utilize 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 frequently evaluate its performance and safety. They are also expected to retain in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Fredericksburg PA health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
Radiology Technician Degrees Available
The basic prerequisite for attending an x-ray tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, generally takes 18 months to two years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to finish and is more expansive in nature. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be appropriate also. One thing to consider is that Fredericksburg PA radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It may frequently be satisfied by taking part in an externship program which many schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification mandates in Pennsylvania or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing
Once you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, depending on the state where you will be working you might have to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary 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 licensing application, but several accept other alternatives for testing as well. A number of states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is optional. However, many Fredericksburg PA employers will only hire radiology techs that are certified so it might increase 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 met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.
Online X-Ray Tech Degrees
As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree schools. So although you can still earn your online degree, a significant portion of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is usually carried out in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Fredericksburg PA home. Students who keep working while earning their degree typically discover that the online style of education is far more practical with their active schedules. Plus online schools are frequently less costly than conventional alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But just make sure that the online college you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online school may be the right choice for you.
Topics to Ask X Ray Tech Colleges
After you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of searching for and evaluating Fredericksburg PA 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 of course the location of the college will be important. The price of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a material variable also. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you factor in when reviewing colleges? Well, you need to find out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you find out some of these crucial details before you make your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you need to ask the colleges you are considering.
Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? Most xray tech colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to make sure 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). Programs earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Fredericksburg PA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level positions.
Are Internships Provided? Find out if the Pennsylvania xray tech colleges you are interested in have relationships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to receive practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Fredericksburg PA healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Fredericksburg PA healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Fredericksburg PA home. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have 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 don’t reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit far 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 Fredericksburg PA colleges you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the radiographer program you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Fredericksburg PA, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.
Why Did You Decide to Be a Radiologic Technologist?
When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask radiographer prospects is "What made you select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you must ready some strategies about how you would like to address them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.Enroll in the Right X-Ray Tech Program near Fredericksburg PA
Selecting the ideal radiology tech college is a crucial first step toward starting a satisfying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs often stand for the majority of the day and move and at times lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best available patient care. As has been covered in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at prior to making your final selection. This is equally true whether you decide on an online school or commute to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each program so you can focus your options and make your decision. And with the proper training and your commitment to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to work as a radiographer in Fredericksburg PA.
Some Background on Fredericksburg Pennsylvania
Battle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, between General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Major General Ambrose Burnside, as part of the American Civil War. The Union Army's futile frontal attacks on December 13 against entrenched Confederate defenders on the heights behind the city are remembered as one of the most one-sided battles of the war, with Union casualties more than three times as heavy as those suffered by the Confederates. A visitor to the battlefield described the battle to U.S. President Abraham Lincoln as a "butchery."[14]
Burnside's plan was to cross the Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg in mid-November and race to the Confederate capital of Richmond before Lee's army could stop him. Bureaucratic delays prevented Burnside from receiving the necessary pontoon bridges in time and Lee moved his army to block the crossings. When the Union army was finally able to build its bridges and cross under fire, urban combat in the city resulted on December 11–12. Union troops prepared to assault Confederate defensive positions south of the city and on a strongly fortified ridge just west of the city known as Marye's Heights.
On December 13, the "grand division" of Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin was able to pierce the first defensive line of Confederate Lieutenant General Stonewall Jackson to the south, but was finally repulsed. Burnside ordered the grand divisions of Maj. Gens. Edwin V. Sumner and Joseph Hooker to make multiple frontal assaults against Lt. Gen. James Longstreet's position on Marye's Heights, all of which were repulsed with heavy losses. On December 15, Burnside withdrew his army, ending another failed Union campaign in the Eastern Theater.
In November 1862, Lincoln needed to demonstrate the success of the Union war effort before the Northern public lost confidence in his administration. Confederate armies had been on the move earlier in the fall, invading Kentucky and Maryland, and although each had been turned back, those armies remained intact and capable of further action. Lincoln urged Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant to advance against the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg, Mississippi. He replaced Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell with Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans, hoping for a more aggressive posture against the Confederates in Tennessee, and on November 5, seeing that his replacement of Buell had not stimulated Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan into action, he issued orders to replace McClellan in command of the Army of the Potomac in Virginia. McClellan had stopped Robert E. Lee at the Battle of Antietam in Maryland, but had not been able to destroy Lee's army, nor did he pursue Lee back into Virginia aggressively enough for Lincoln.[15]
McClellan's replacement was Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside, the commander of the IX Corps. Burnside had established a reputation as an independent commander, with successful operations earlier that year in coastal North Carolina and, unlike McClellan, had no apparent political ambitions. However, he felt himself unqualified for army-level command and objected when offered the position. He accepted only when it was made clear to him that McClellan would be replaced in any event and that an alternative choice for command was Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, whom Burnside disliked and distrusted. Burnside assumed command on November 7.[16]
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