How to Choose a Radiology Tech School near Lanham Maryland

Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Lanham MD so you can train to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have made a decision to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you tackle choosing the ideal college and program to ensure that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that the majority of states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you subsequently practice you may require preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you research each of the colleges you are looking at in order to compare each program. Most potential students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and typically settle on the lowest cost. But while cost and location must be taken into account, there are additional critical qualifiers also. For instance, you should find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are evaluating are provided later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology technician does and the credentials and education choices that are offered.

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X-Ray Technician Occupation Summary

There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, they all have the same principal job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many choose to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They can work in Lanham MD clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech might work with include:

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

Radiographers have to take care of their equipment and regularly assess its performance and safety. They are also expected to retain in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Lanham MD medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degree Options

The primary prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, generally takes 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as four years to finish and is more comprehensive in nature. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are appropriate as well. Something to consider is that Lanham MD radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can typically be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which many colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Maryland or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiographer Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an Radiologist college, based on the state where you will be employed you might need to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their requirements differ so check with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but many approve other alternatives for testing also. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. However, many Lanham MD employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every other year, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Technician Schools

As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree schools. So while you can still obtain your degree online, a significant amount of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is usually provided in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online portion of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Lanham MD home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree usually discover that the online style of learning is far more practical with their active schedules. Plus online schools are often cheaper than on-campus options. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be lessened also. But just confirm that the online program you select 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 right option for you.

Points to Ask Radiology Tech Programs

As soon as you have selected the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of finding and assessing Lanham MD x-ray technician schools. You will also need to determine if you want to attend classes online or travel to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the school will be important. The cost of tuition and secondary expenditures will be an important factor also. But along with cost and location, what else should you consider when reviewing schools? Well, you need to check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details before you make your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are assessing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Programs Accredited? Most xray technician schools have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to verify that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly respected 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 gone through a detailed review of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Lanham MD health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the Maryland radiology technician schools you are assessing have relationships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific means to obtain hands on training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist graduates and students form professional relationships in the Lanham MD health care community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are assessing 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 good relationships with Lanham MD healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they select will need to be within driving distance of their Lanham MD home. Students who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type 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. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Lanham MD schools 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 final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the x-ray tech  school you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Lanham MD, confirm that they are offered. 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, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become an X-Ray Tech?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask radiographer candidates is "What drove you to choose radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being a radiology technician, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to ready a number of ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Radiology Technician College near Lanham MD

Selecting the best radiology tech school is a critical first step toward launching a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs typically stand for the majority of the day and move and at times lift the patient to get the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians 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 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 considering before making your ultimate decision. This is just as true whether you decide on an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each school so you can focus your choices before making your final choice. And with the proper education and your commitment to be successful, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Lanham MD.

Some Background on Lanham Maryland

 

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