How to Select a Radiology Tech College near Bend Oregon

Best wishes on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Bend OR so you can become a radiologic technician. And now that you have chosen to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you tackle picking the ideal college and program so that you will receive the proper training to become a skilled professional? And considering that most states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you might need preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s essential that you assess each of the schools you are considering in order to evaluate each program. Many students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and usually gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location need to be taken into account, there are other significant qualifiers as well. For example, you should ask if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are examining are provided later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic technician does and the degrees and education choices that are offered.

X-Ray Technician Occupation Summary

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, they all have the same principal job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many opt to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for example mammography. They may practice in Bend OR clinics, hospitals, 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 take care of their equipment plus frequently analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to retain complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Bend OR health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degree Options

The standard prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech college is to have attained 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, generally requires 18 months to two years to finish depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 4 years to finish and is more expansive in scope. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are acceptable as well. One thing to bear in mind is that Bend OR radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may often be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which many schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Oregon or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an Radiologist school, depending 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. Currently, all states that do require licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but a number provide additional alternatives for testing as well. Some states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. However, numerous Bend OR employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Tech Programs

As a component 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 programs. So although you can still obtain your degree online, a considerable amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is usually conducted in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online segment of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Bend OR home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree typically find that the online approach to education is much more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online schools are often less expensive than conventional options. Along with lower tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting may be reduced as well. But just make certain that the online school you choose is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online degree may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask X Ray Tech Programs

When you have selected the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of finding and evaluating Bend OR x-ray tech schools. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or drive to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the college will be important. The price of tuition and secondary expenditures will be an important factor also. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you look at when comparing schools? Well, you should ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details before you make your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are assessing.

Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? Most radiology tech colleges have acquired some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still imperative to make sure that the program and school 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). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive examination of their instructors and educational materials. If the program is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Bend OR health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level openings.

Are Internships Offered? Find out if the Oregon radiology technician schools you are evaluating have partnerships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great manner to obtain practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist graduates and students establish professional connections in the Bend OR health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Bend OR healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Bend OR 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 area internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Bend OR colleges you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the radiographer  program you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Bend OR, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Decide to Be an X-Ray Tech?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask radiographer candidates is "What made you choose radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to radiography, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must prepare some approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down some ideas and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Pick the Right X-Ray Tech College near Bend OR

Selecting the best x-ray technician degree program is an important first step toward initiating a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs often stand for the majority of the workday and position and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best possible patient care. As we have addressed in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are considering before making your final selection. This is just as true whether you opt for an online program or drive to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can examine and compare each program so you can focus your options before making your final choice. And with the proper training and your dedication to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as a radiology tech in Bend OR.

Some Background on Bend Oregon

 

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