Schools with Radiology Technician Programs Yorktown VA 23690 Archives

How to Select a Radiology Technician School near Yorktown Virginia

Yorktown VA x-ray tech internship program Congrats regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Yorktown VA in order to learn to be a radiology technologist. And now that you have decided to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you tackle picking the right school and program so that you will receive the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And because the majority of states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you may need preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s essential that you research each of the schools you are looking at in order to compare each program. Most potential students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and often settle on the lowest cost. But while cost and location must be considered, there are additional significant qualifiers as well. For example, you should find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are reviewing are provided later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a x-ray technician does and the credentials and education options that are offered.

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X-Ray Technician Occupation Summary

There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the same primary job function, 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. Some elect to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for example mammography. They can work in Yorktown VA 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 maintain their equipment and routinely assess its functionality and safety. They are additionally expected to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Yorktown VA medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Yorktown VA The basic requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, generally takes 18 months to two years to finish depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as four years to complete and is more extensive in scope. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that may be acceptable also. Something to consider is that Yorktown VA radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may frequently be satisfied by participating in an externship program which many colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Virginia or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiographer Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an Radiologist program, depending on the state where you will be employed you may need to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their criteria vary so check with your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but many provide additional alternatives for testing as well. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. However, numerous Yorktown VA employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it may improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Tech Programs

attending x-ray tech school online in Yorktown 23690 As a part 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 colleges. So while you can still obtain your online degree, a large amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is often performed in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Yorktown VA home. Students who keep working while earning their degree typically find that the online approach to education is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online programs are frequently less expensive than on-campus options. In addition to lower tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be lessened as well. But just make certain that the online program you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then online classes may be the best option for you.

What to Ask X Ray Tech Colleges

After you have decided on the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of searching for and assessing Yorktown VA x-ray tech schools. You will also need to determine if you want to attend classes online or drive to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be relevant. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a material factor as well. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you look at when comparing schools? Well, you need to ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you find out some of these crucial details prior to making your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the programs you are looking at.

Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of xray technician schools have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. 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 receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed review of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Yorktown VA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level positions.

Are Internships Provided? Ask if the Virginia radiology technician colleges you are assessing have relationships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to receive practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help graduates and students establish professional connections in the Yorktown VA medical community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are interviewing have job assistance 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 Yorktown VA healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Yorktown VA residence. Students who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Yorktown VA colleges you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program also.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the radiographer school you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Yorktown VA, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option 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 might miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Want to Be an Xray Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming a radiology technician, but additionally what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional 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 should ready a number of approaches about how you would like to address them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Right Radiology Technician College near Yorktown VA

Selecting the appropriate radiology technician degree program is a critical first step toward starting a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs often stand for the greater part of the workday and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to follow the safety guidelines designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. 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 productive work environment and provide the best possible patient care. As we have addressed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each school you are assessing prior to making your final decision. This is just as true whether you enroll in an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can analyze and compare each college so you can narrow down your choices before making your decision. And with the right training and your motivation to be successful, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Yorktown VA.

Some Background on Yorktown Virginia

Yorktown, Virginia

Yorktown is a census-designated place (CDP) in York County, Virginia, United States. It is the county seat of York County,[3] one of the eight original shires formed in colonial Virginia in 1682. Yorktown's population was 195 as of the 2010 census, while York County's population was 66,134 in the 2011 census estimate.

The town is most famous as the site of the siege and subsequent surrender of General Charles Cornwallis to General George Washington and the French Fleet during the American Revolutionary War on October 19, 1781. Although the war would last for another year, this British defeat at Yorktown effectively ended the war. Yorktown also figured prominently in the American Civil War (1861–1865), serving as a major port to supply both northern and southern towns, depending upon who held Yorktown at the time.

Today, Yorktown is one of three sites of the Historic Triangle, which also includes Jamestown and Williamsburg as important colonial-era settlements. It is the eastern terminus of the Colonial Parkway connecting these locations. Yorktown is also the eastern terminus of the TransAmerica Trail, a bicycle touring route created by the Adventure Cycling Association.

One of Yorktown's historic sister cities is Zweibrücken in Germany, based on participation of a unit from there during the American Revolutionary War.

Yorktown was named for the ancient city of York in Yorkshire, Northern England. It was founded in 1691 as a port on the York River for English colonists to export tobacco to Europe. The lawyer Thomas Ballard was the principal founder of the city along with Joseph Ring.[4] It was called "York" until after the American Revolutionary War, when the name "Yorktown" came into common use.[5]