How to Find an X-Ray Tech College near Blytheville Arkansas
Best wishes on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Blytheville AR in order to become a radiology technologist. And now that you have chosen to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, just how do you go about selecting the right school and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a qualified practitioner? And because most states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you might require training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you assess each of the schools you are considering so that you can evaluate each program. Most potential students start by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and often settle on the most affordable cost. But while expense and location should be taken into consideration, there are additional important qualifiers also. For instance, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are considering are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray tech does and the credentials and education choices that are available.
Radiology Technician Job Summary
There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, each has the identical fundamental job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some elect to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They can practice in Blytheville AR clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech 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 also routinely evaluate its performance and safety. They are additionally required to retain detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Blytheville AR medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
X-Ray Tech Degrees
The standard 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 Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, generally requires 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as four years to complete and is more extensive in scope. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be acceptable also. Something to keep in mind is that Blytheville AR radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which many colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their region. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Arkansas or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
Radiologic Technologist Licensing and Certification
After you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, based on the state where you will be practicing you may need to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but several offer additional alternatives for testing also. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. However, numerous Blytheville AR employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it might 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 2 years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.
Online Radiology Technician Programs
As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree programs. So while you can still obtain your online degree, a considerable portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an internship off-campus. Practical training is typically provided in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online portion of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Blytheville AR residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree often find that the online approach to learning is far more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online schools are frequently less costly than conventional options. In addition to reduced tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials may be decreased as well. But just confirm that the online college you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online degree may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Radiographer Programs
As soon as you have decided on the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of finding and evaluating Blytheville AR x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to determine if you want to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be important. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be an important factor as well. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you consider when evaluating schools? Well, you need to check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these essential details before you make your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you must ask the programs you are considering.
Are the Radiology Tech Programs Accredited? Most radiology technician schools have received some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still important to confirm 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the program is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies 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 obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Blytheville AR employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level openings.
Are Internship Programs Offered? Find out if the Arkansas radiology tech programs you are assessing have relationships with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great means to get hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can help students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Blytheville AR health care community and assist with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Blytheville AR healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Blytheville AR residence. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college 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 generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Blytheville AR schools you are looking at 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 final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program as well.
Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the radiographer program you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Blytheville AR, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. 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 Choose to Be an Xray Technician?
When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask radiographer prospects is "What drove you to choose radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming an Xray technician, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare some ideas about how you would like to address them. Since there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.Choose the Ideal X-Ray Technician Program near Blytheville AR
Picking the right x-ray technician degree program is a critical first step toward starting a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs often stand for the majority of the day and position and at times lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and deliver the best available patient care. As we have addressed in this report, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are looking at prior to making your final selection. This is just as true whether you opt for an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can analyze and compare each college so you can focus your options and make your decision. And with the proper education and your dedication to be successful, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiographer in Blytheville AR.
Some Background on Blytheville Arkansas
Blytheville, Arkansas
Blytheville is the largest city in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. Blytheville is approximately 60 miles north of West Memphis. The population was 18,272 at the 2000 census.
Blytheville was founded by Methodist clergyman Henry T. Blythe in 1879. It received a post office in 1879, was incorporated in 1889, and became the county seat for the northern half of Mississippi County (Chickasawba District) in 1901. Blytheville received telephone service and electricity in 1903, and natural gas service in 1950.[3]
Forestry was an early industry, spurred by the massive harvesting of lumber needed to rebuild Chicago following the Great Fire of 1871. The lumber industry brought sawmills and a rowdy crowd, and the area was known for its disreputable saloon culture during the 1880s and 1890s.[3]
The cleared forests enabled cotton farming to take hold, encouraged by ongoing levee building and waterway management; the population grew significantly after 1900. On Blytheville’s western edge lies one of the largest cotton gins in North America, and soybeans and rice have also become important crops.[3]
The area around Blytheville continues to be farmed, though family farms have given way to large factory operations.[3]
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