Schools with X Ray Technician Programs Shavertown PA 18708 Archives

How to Choose a Radiology Tech College near Shavertown Pennsylvania

Shavertown PA x-ray tech internship program Best wishes on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Shavertown PA in order to train to be a radiology technologist. But now that you have decided to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you undertake picking the right college and program so that you will receive the proper training to become a qualified practitioner? And since most states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you may require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you investigate each of the colleges you are considering in order to compare each program. A number of students begin by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and often gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location must be considered, there are additional critical qualifications as well. For example, you should ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the schools you are considering are provided later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic tech does and the degrees and training options that are offered.

X-Ray Technician Work Summary

There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, they all have the identical fundamental job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some elect to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, such as mammography. They may practice in Shavertown PA hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician may 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 care for their equipment and frequently analyze its performance and safety. They are also expected to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Shavertown PA medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Technician Degrees

x-ray machine in Shavertown PA The basic prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. 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, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finish and is more expansive in nature. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that are appropriate as well. One thing to bear in mind is that Shavertown PA radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can frequently be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which many colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once 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 practicing in as applicable.

Radiographer Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, based on the state where you will be employed you might need to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their criteria vary so get in touch with your state. At present, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but a number accept additional alternatives for testing as well. A number of states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is voluntary. However, many Shavertown PA employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could enhance 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 examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technician Programs

attending x-ray tech school online in Shavertown 18708 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools 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 significant amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Practical training is usually performed in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online section of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your Shavertown PA residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree typically find that the online approach to learning is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are frequently more affordable than on-campus alternatives. Along with lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be lessened as well. But just make sure that the online program you pick is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then online classes may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask X Ray Tech Programs

When you have chosen the kind of degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of locating and evaluating Shavertown PA x-ray tech colleges. You will also have to determine if you want to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the college will be important. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be a material factor also. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you look at when evaluating schools? 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 before you make your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Schools Accredited? A large number of xray tech schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still important to verify that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed review of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Shavertown PA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level openings.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the Pennsylvania radiology tech colleges you are evaluating have associations with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to get practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist students and graduates form professional relationships in the Shavertown PA healthcare community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Shavertown PA healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Shavertown PA home. Students who have opted 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. One thing 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 might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Shavertown PA schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program also.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the radiographer college you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Shavertown PA, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option 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 might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Radiologic Technologist?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask radiographer prospects is "What compelled you to choose radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being a radiology technician, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to radiography, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must organize some ideas about how you want to answer them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Radiology Tech School near Shavertown PA

Enrolling in the ideal x-ray technician college is a crucial first step toward starting a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the majority of the working day and move and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and provide the best possible patient care. As we have covered in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each program you are looking at before making your final selection. This is similarly true whether you opt for an online school or commute to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can examine and compare each program so you can narrow down your choices before making your final choice. And with the appropriate education and your commitment to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Shavertown PA.

Some Background on Shavertown Pennsylvania

Shavertown, Pennsylvania

Shavertown is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kingston Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. It lies approximately 7 miles (11 km) northwest of the city of Wilkes-Barre and 24 miles (39 km) southwest of Scranton. The population of the CDP was 2,019 at the 2010 census.[1]

Shavertown is named for an early settler, Philip Shaver. In 1813, Philip purchased the land that would later become Shavertown from William Trucks, the namesake of Trucksville. That same year, Philip sold the northwest portion of his land to John McClellon. This land would be known as McClellonsville, a small village which was later named Dallas. By 1818, Philip still owned nearly one thousand acres of land in the Back Mountain region.

Philip Shaver was born in 1762 along the Danube River Valley in Vienna, Austria. He migrated to the United States between 1765-1769 with his parents and brothers. Philip Shaver married Mary Ann Wickizer at St. James Lutheran Church (in Greenwich, Warren County, New Jersey, on December 12, 1786). They had 7 children: John Philip, Peter, William G., Elizabeth, James Henry, George, and Asa W. Shaver. Around 1804, Philip and his family arrived in Forty Fort, where they resided until 1810. Philip came to the “Back of the Mountain” in search of a gigantic species of legendary evergreen trees. He was forced to carve out a path from a rugged foot trail and among heavily forested lands, now Route 309. Philip and his sons constructed a sawmill in 1815. This first mill was on the north branch of Toby Creek and located near the Prince of Peace Church on Main Street in Dallas. Philip cut the wood for the first Market Street Bridge in Wilkes-Barre (in 1820).

It is said that after years of watching children labor on farms, Philip wished that the farm girls and boys should learn to read and write. In 1816, he donated the land for the first school in the Back Mountain. The school was a one-room log cabin on the site of the current Back Mountain Memorial Library on Huntsville Road. Philip also set aside lands for a public burying ground “on the hill near the pine grove just south of Dallas Village, on the road to Huntsville.” Philip also designated a plot of land for his family’s graves, visible from Overbrook Road. In 1826, Philip died after a fatal accident. His left hand was crushed in the cider press that he and his sons were operating in November 1826. Philip was forced to amputate his own hand and died of blood poisoning a few days later on November 7, 1826. A relative, Bayard Taylor Shaver of Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota, told of finding that same cider press on a visit to the Shaver farm in 1876. Philip’s headstone rests at the end of the Shaver Cemetery. Inscribed upon his footstone reads a testament to Philip’s vast travels: “Here lies my weary feet.”

Shavertown came to national attention in October 2005 when U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney visited the village at the home of Ron and Rhea Simms for a fundraiser for the reelection campaign of Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, who was later defeated in the 2006 U.S. congressional elections by Scranton native and pro-life Democrat Bob Casey, Jr., the state's former treasurer. The fundraiser raised $300,000 for the Santorum campaign.