Schools with Radiologic Technologist Programs Hanover VA 23069 Archives

How to Choose an X-Ray Technician School near Hanover Virginia

Hanover VA x-ray tech internship program Congrats on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Hanover VA so you can train to be a radiology technologist. But now that you have chosen to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you undertake picking the right school and program to ensure that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And considering that most states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you subsequently work you may require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s imperative that you research each of the colleges you are looking at so that you can compare each program. Most potential students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and typically gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location should be taken into consideration, there are additional critical qualifiers also. For example, you must find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are evaluating are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology technician does and the degrees and education choices that are available.

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X-Ray Tech Career Summary

There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, they all have the identical major job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some choose to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, such as mammography. They can practice in Hanover VA clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician may utilize 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 routinely evaluate its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Hanover VA health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Technician Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Hanover VA The standard prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, normally takes 18 months to two years to finish based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finish and is more extensive in nature. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be acceptable as well. Something to consider is that Hanover VA radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which many schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Virginia or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Licensing and Certification

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, depending on the state where you will be working you might need to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their prerequisites differ so contact your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but many approve other options for testing also. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. However, many Hanover VA employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it might improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every other year, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Technician Classes

attending x-ray tech school online in Hanover 23069 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree colleges. So while you can still obtain your degree online, a substantial amount of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Clinical training is usually conducted in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online section of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Hanover VA residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree often discover that the online style of learning is much more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are generally less costly than traditional alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be lessened as well. But just make sure that the online program you select is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then online classes may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask X Ray Tech Colleges

When you have selected the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of looking for and evaluating Hanover VA x-ray tech colleges. You will also have to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or drive to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be an important variable also. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you factor in when evaluating schools? Well, you need to ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these important details prior to making your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Colleges Accredited? Most xray technician colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to verify 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 earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive review of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Hanover VA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out if the Virginia radiology technician schools you are evaluating have associations with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to receive practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Hanover VA medical community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Hanover VA healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Hanover VA home. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes obviously 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 consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might 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 for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Hanover VA schools you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology tech program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the radiographer college you ultimately pick 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 Hanover VA, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out 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 may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Radiologic Technologist?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to decide on radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to organize a number of approaches about how you want to answer them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right X-Ray Tech School near Hanover VA

Selecting the right x-ray technician school is a crucial first step toward initiating a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs often stand for the greater part of the working day and move and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with 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. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best available patient care. As we have addressed in this report, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are considering before making your final selection. This is equally true whether you decide on an online school or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each college so you can narrow down your options and make your final choice. And with the proper education and your dedication to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as a radiographer in Hanover VA.

Some Background on Hanover Virginia

Hanover County, Virginia

Hanover County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 99,863.[1] Its county seat is Hanover Courthouse.[2]

Hanover County is included in the Greater Richmond Region.

Located in the Piedmont of Virginia, Hanover County was created on November 26, 1719, from the area of New Kent County called St. Paul's Parish. It was named for the Electorate of Hanover in Germany, because King George I of Great Britain was Elector of Hanover at the time. The county was developed by planters moving west from the Virginia tidewater, where soils had been exhausted by tobacco monoculture.

Hanover County was the birthplace and home of noted American statesman Patrick Henry. He reportedly married Sarah Shelton in the parlor of her family's house, Rural Plains, also known as Shelton House. At the Hanover Courthouse, Henry argued the case of the Parson's Cause in 1763, attacking the British Crown's attempt to set the salaries of clergy in the colony regardless of conditions in the local economy. The historic Hanover Courthouse is pictured in the county seal. Hanover County was also the birthplace of Henry Clay, who became known as a politician in Kentucky, author of the Missouri Compromise of 1820, and Secretary of State.

The Chickahominy River forms the border of the county in the Mechanicsville area. During the American Civil War and the 1862 Peninsula Campaign, the Union Army approached the river and could hear the bells of Richmond's churches. But they learned that the river was a major obstacle. Union General George B. McClellan failed in his attempt to get all his troops across it, intending to overwhelm the outnumbered Confederate forces defending Richmond. His failure to take Richmond has been said to have prolonged the war by almost 3 years. Hanover County was the site of Civil War battles due to its location between Richmond and northern Virginia, including the Seven Days Battles of the Peninsula Campaign and Battle of Cold Harbor in 1864.[3]