How to Select an Xray Tech College near Lafayette Alabama
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Lafayette AL so you can become a radiology technician. But now that you have made a decision to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, just how do you undertake choosing the ideal school and program so that you will get the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And since the majority of states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you investigate each of the schools you are considering in order to evaluate each program. Many prospective students begin by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and often gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while cost and location should be taken into consideration, there are other critical qualifications as well. For example, you should find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are examining are presented later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic technician does and the degrees and training options that are offered.
X-Ray Tech Work Description
There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the identical primary job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many choose to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for example mammography. They may work in Lafayette AL hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician 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 care for their equipment and routinely analyze its performance and safety. They are also expected to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Lafayette AL medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
Radiology Tech Degrees Available
The primary requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech college is to have attained 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 common among technicians, usually takes 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to complete and is more expansive in nature. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are acceptable as well. One thing to bear in mind is that Lafayette AL radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It can frequently be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification requirements in Alabama or the state you will be working as applicable.
Radiographer Licensing and Certification
When you have graduated from an Radiologist program, depending on the state where you will be practicing you might need to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their requirements vary so check with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but a number provide additional options for testing also. A number of states also require certification as a component of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. Having said that, many Lafayette AL employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it could enhance your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.
Online Radiology Technologist Schools
As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree schools. So although you can still earn your degree online, a substantial amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is often carried out in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online portion of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Lafayette AL home. Students who keep working while earning their degree often discover that the online approach to learning is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online programs are often less costly than traditional alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting can be lessened as well. But just make certain that the online college you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online school may be the best choice for you.
Subjects to Ask Radiology Tech Programs
When you have decided on the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can start the process of finding and evaluating Lafayette AL x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or travel to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the school will be relevant. The cost of tuition and secondary expenses will be a determining factor also. But along with location and cost, what more should you consider when evaluating colleges? Well, you should check out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you find out 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 Radiology Tech Schools Accredited? The majority of radiology tech colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still important to verify that the program and school are accredited. One of 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 instructors and course materials. If the college is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also help in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Lafayette AL health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level jobs.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Inquire if the Alabama radiology technician schools you are assessing have associations with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to obtain practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist students and graduates form professional connections in the Lafayette AL healthcare community and assist with job placement.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the radiographer programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Lafayette AL healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Lafayette AL residence. Those who have opted to attend classes online 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 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 generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Lafayette AL schools you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology tech program as well.
Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the x-ray tech college you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Lafayette AL, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses 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 illness, work or family emergencies.
Why Did You Choose to Become a Radiologic Technologist?
When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for being an X-Ray tech, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must organize several approaches about how you want to respond to them. Since there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.Select the Right X-Ray Tech College near Lafayette AL
Choosing the right x-ray technician degree program is an important first step toward starting a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs frequently stand for the greater part of the working day and move and in some cases lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having social skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and provide the best possible care to patients. As has been covered in this report, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each school you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you enroll in an online program or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each school so you can focus your choices and make your final choice. And with the right training and your motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Lafayette AL.
Some Background on Lafayette Alabama
LaFayette, Alabama
LaFayette (/ləˈfeɪ.ɛt/ lə-FAY-et, /ləˈfaɪ.ɛt/ lə-FYE-et, or /ˈlʌfeɪ.ɛt/ LUF-ay-et) is the county seat of Chambers County, Alabama, United States, 47 miles (76 km) northwest of Columbus, Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 3,003.[5]
Chambers County was formed in 1832. The newly elected county officials opted to locate the county seat as near as possible to the center of the county. Lots for the new town were auctioned in October 1833, with proceeds from the sale financing the construction of a courthouse and jail. The town was first called "Chambersville", but by the time of incorporation on January 7, 1835, the town name had been changed to "Lafayette", named after the Marquis de Lafayette; its spelling was changed to "LaFayette" due to the influence of newspaper editor Johnson J. Hooper, who created a fictional character called Captain Simon Suggs, a backwoods southerner who pronounced the town's name as "La Fait".[1][6] The city's newspaper, The LaFayette Sun, was founded under the name The Alabama Standard in April 1841 and adopted its current name on August 3, 1881.[7]
Scenes from the movie Mississippi Burning were filmed at the Chambers County Courthouse and in downtown LaFayette.[1]
Lafayette is the birthplace of heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis. An 8-foot (2.4 m) bronze statue, executed by sculptor Casey Downing Jr. of Mobile, Alabama, was erected in Louis' honor in front of the Chambers County courthouse.[8] It is also the hometown of Hoyt L. Sherman, one of artist Roy Lichtenstein's principal art professor/mentors at Ohio State University.
LaFayette is located at 32°53'54.859" North, 85°24'2.822" West (32.898572, -85.400784).[9] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.9 square miles (23.0 km2), of which 0.027 square miles (0.07 km2), or 0.31%, is water.[5]
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