How to Find an X-Ray Technician School near Merion Station Pennsylvania

Congrats regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Merion Station PA in order to train to be a radiology technologist. But now that you have made a decision to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you go about choosing the right college and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled professional? And since the majority of states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you might need training to pass a licensing test. So it’s imperative that you research each of the colleges you are looking at in order to compare each program. Most potential students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and frequently gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while location and cost should be taken into consideration, there are additional important qualifiers also. For instance, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are reviewing are provided later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiology technician does and the degrees and education options that are offered.

Radiology Tech Work Summary

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, they all have the same principal job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many elect to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, such as mammography. They may practice in Merion Station PA hospitals, clinics, 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 have to maintain their equipment plus routinely analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally required to retain detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Merion Station PA medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degree Options

The standard requirement for attending a radiology tech program is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, normally requires 18 months to two years to complete depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to complete and is more extensive in scope. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be appropriate as well. Something to bear in mind is that Merion Station PA radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can frequently be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Pennsylvania or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an x-ray technician school, depending on the state where you will be working you might need to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their requirements differ so contact your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but many approve other options for testing also. Some states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Merion Station PA employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it may increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Tech Classes

As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree programs. So even though you can still earn your degree online, a large amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is typically performed in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online section of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Merion Station PA residence. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree typically discover that the online approach to learning is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online colleges are generally less costly than conventional alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be decreased also. But just be sure that the online college you select is accredited (more on the advantages 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 option for you.

Topics to Ask Radiographer Colleges

Once you have selected the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of looking for and evaluating Merion Station PA x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to decide if you want to attend classes online or travel to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be critical. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a determining factor also. But along with location and cost, what else should you look at when reviewing colleges? Well, you need to check out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these important details prior to making your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are reviewing.

Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? Most xray technician schools have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still imperative to verify that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed examination of their instructors and educational materials. If the program is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial aid and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Merion Station PA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level positions.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out if the Pennsylvania radiology tech schools you are assessing have partnerships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to receive hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist graduates and students establish professional connections in the Merion Station PA health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the radiographer schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Merion Station PA healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Merion Station PA home. Individuals who have chosen 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. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Merion Station PA schools you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the radiographer  program you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Merion Station PA, make sure 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 procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

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

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's advantageous to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask radiographer candidates is "What made you select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming a radiology technician, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare some approaches about how you want to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Radiology Tech School near Merion Station PA

Selecting the ideal x-ray tech school is a critical first step toward initiating a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs frequently stand for the majority of the working day and move and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having social skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best possible care to patients. As has been discussed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision. This is equally true whether you decide on an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each college so you can narrow down your choices and make your decision. And with the right education and your motivation to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a x-ray tech in Merion Station PA.

Some Background on Merion Station Pennsylvania

 

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