Schools with Radiology Technician Programs Valley Forge PA 19481 Archives

How to Choose an X-Ray Technician College near Valley Forge Pennsylvania

Valley Forge PA x-ray tech internship program Best wishes regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Valley Forge PA in order to learn to be a radiology technologist. But now that you have decided to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, just how do you tackle selecting the right college and program so that you will receive the appropriate training to become a qualified practitioner? And because the majority of states do require that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you might need training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the colleges you are looking at so that you can compare each program. Many prospective 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 most affordable cost. But while location and cost need to be taken into consideration, there are other important qualifications as well. For instance, you must find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are examining are provided later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a radiologic technician does and the degrees and education options that are available.

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Radiology Tech Career Description

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, they all have the same primary job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many opt to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They can work in Valley Forge PA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech might 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 also regularly evaluate its performance and safety. They are also required to retain complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Valley Forge PA health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Tech Degree Options

x-ray machine in Valley Forge PA The standard prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. 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 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 4 years to finish and is more extensive in scope. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are acceptable as well. One thing to bear in mind is that Valley Forge PA radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can typically be fulfilled by taking part in an externship program which many colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their area. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing mandates in Pennsylvania or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiographer Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an X-Ray tech school, based on the state where you will be practicing you may need to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their requirements vary so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but a number accept additional alternatives for testing also. Several states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Valley Forge PA employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every other year, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Tech Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Valley Forge 19481 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree programs. So while you can still obtain your online degree, a substantial portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is usually carried out in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online section of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Valley Forge PA residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree usually find that the online approach to learning is much more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online schools are frequently less costly than on-campus options. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting may be reduced also. But just make sure 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 style of training, then an online degree may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Radiographer Colleges

Once you have selected the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of locating and evaluating Valley Forge PA x-ray tech schools. You will also have to determine if you want to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be relevant. The price of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be an important factor as well. But along with cost and location, what else should you factor in when reviewing colleges? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these crucial details prior to making your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the colleges you are assessing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Programs Accredited? Most radiology tech schools have earned some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still crucial to verify that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly regarded 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 gone through a rigorous assessment of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Valley Forge PA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the Pennsylvania xray tech colleges you are evaluating have relationships with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to get hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Valley Forge PA healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Valley Forge PA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Valley Forge PA residence. Those who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble 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 decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Valley Forge PA colleges you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the radiographer school you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Valley Forge PA, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

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

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's important to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask radiographer prospects is "What made you select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for being a radiology technician, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must ready several ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Select the Right Radiology Technician College near Valley Forge PA

Selecting the ideal x-ray tech college is an important first step toward launching a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs typically stand for the majority of the working day and position and at times lift the patient to get the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to follow the safety guidelines developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing social skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each program you are assessing prior to making your final decision. This is equally true whether you opt for an online school or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each program so you can narrow down your choices before making your decision. And with the right education and your dedication to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Valley Forge PA.

Some Background on Valley Forge Pennsylvania

Valley Forge

Valley Forge was the military camp 18 miles (29 km) northwest of Philadelphia [1] where the American Continental Army spent the winter of 1777–78 during the American Revolutionary War. Starvation, disease, malnutrition, and exposure killed more than 2,500 American soldiers by the end of February 1778.[2]

General George Washington sought quarters for his men with winter almost setting in, and with greatly diminishing prospects for campaigning. Washington and his troops had fought in early December what was the last major engagement of 1777 at the Battle of White Marsh (or Edge Hill). He devised to pull his troops from their present encampment in the White Marsh area (now Fort Washington State Park) and move to a more secure location for the coming winter.

Several locations were considered for the army's winter quarters, but Washington selected Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 18 miles (30 km) northwest of Philadelphia. Valley Forge was named for an iron forge on Valley Creek in Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania. It was not the best place to set up winter camp for the Continental Army, as it was unable to defend southern Pennsylvania at the time. This location also left the vulnerable under-supplied army in striking distance of the British, who were well provisioned and secured in Philadelphia. However, the area was close enough to the British to keep their raiding and foraging parties out of the interior of Pennsylvania, yet far enough away to halt the threat of British surprise attacks.

The densely forested plateau of Mount Joy and the adjoining two-mile-long (3 km) plateau of Mount Misery made the area easily defensible, combined with the Schuylkill River to the north. It also provided abundant forests of timber that were used to construct thousands of log huts. Seventy-eight of the huts in the camp housed soldiers, but more than 2,500 of those soldiers died.[1][3]

On December 19, 1777, Washington's poorly fed, ill-equipped army staggered into Valley Forge, weary from long marches. Winds blew as the 12,000 Continentals prepared for winter's fury. Only about one in four of them had shoes, and many of their feet had left bloody footprints from the marching.[4] Grounds were selected for brigade encampments, and defense lines were planned and begun.