Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Sharon CT 06069 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Choose an X-Ray Technician School near Sharon Connecticut

Sharon CT x-ray tech internship program Best wishes on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Sharon CT in order to learn to be a radiology technician. And now that you have chosen to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, just how do you undertake selecting the right college and program so that you will receive the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And considering that most states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you investigate each of the colleges you are considering so that you can evaluate each program. A number of potential students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and often settle on the lowest cost. But while cost and location need to be taken into consideration, there are other important qualifications as well. For example, you need to ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are considering are presented later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a x-ray technician does and the degrees and education options that are offered.

Radiology Technician Job Description

There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, each has the identical major job function, which is to employ 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. Some choose to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, such as mammography. They can practice in Sharon CT hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist may utilize include:

Traditional and specialized X-Rays
Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Sonography or ultrasound
Fluoroscopy

Radiographers must take care of their equipment plus routinely evaluate its functionality and safety. They are additionally expected to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Sharon CT medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Sharon CT The standard prerequisite for attending a radiology tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, normally takes 18 months to two years to complete depending on the course load and program. 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 choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be appropriate as well. Something to keep in mind is that Sharon CT radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may frequently be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Connecticut or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing

Once you have graduated from an X-Ray tech program, depending on the state where you will be employed you might have to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their prerequisites differ so contact your state. Currently, all states that do require licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but a number approve additional options for testing as well. A number of states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. However, numerous Sharon CT employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it may increase your career options to earn certification. 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 other year, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Technician Colleges

attending x-ray tech school online in Sharon 06069 As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree programs. So although you can still earn your degree online, a large portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is often provided in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online portion of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Sharon CT residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree often find that the online style of learning is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online colleges are generally less expensive than on-campus alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be reduced also. But just make sure that the online program you select is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online degree may be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Radiographer Schools

As soon as you have decided on the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of finding and assessing Sharon CT x-ray technician schools. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or travel to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be important. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be an important variable as well. But along with location and cost, what more should you factor in when comparing schools? Well, you need to find out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these crucial details before you make your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are looking at.

Are the Radiology Tech Programs Accredited? A large number of xray technician colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to make sure that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a rigorous examination of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Sharon CT employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the Connecticut radiology technician programs you are evaluating have relationships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific means to receive hands on training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist students and graduates form professional connections in the Sharon CT health care community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the radiographer programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Sharon CT healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Sharon CT residence. Students who have decided 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 concern. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Sharon CT colleges you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the radiographer school you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Sharon CT, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Choose to Become an Xray Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask radiographer applicants is "What compelled you to decide on radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming a radiology technician, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you should organize a number of ideas about how you would like to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the best choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal X-Ray Technician College near Sharon CT

Choosing the appropriate x-ray technician degree program is an important first step toward starting a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the greater part of the day and position and at times lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and furnish the best available patient care. As we have addressed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are assessing before making your final decision. This is similarly true whether you opt for an online school or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each college so you can focus your choices before making your final choice. And with the right training and your commitment to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as a radiographer in Sharon CT.

Some Background on Sharon Connecticut

Sharon, Connecticut

Sharon is a town located in Litchfield County, Connecticut, in the northwest corner of the state. It is bounded on the north by Salisbury, on the east by the Housatonic River, on the south by Kent, and on the west by Dutchess County, New York. At the time of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 2,782, roughly a third more than it had had 230 years earlier. The ZIP code for Sharon is 06069. The urban center of the town is the Sharon census-designated place, with a population of 729 at the 2010 census.[1]

The first inhabitants of the area they called Poconnuck were the Mattabesec Native Americans. These were part of what became known as the Wappinger confederacy which in turn belonged to the loose Algonquian confederacy.

The following is a description of Sharon and its surroundings from a 1919 guide book to New England travel:[2]

Sharon has 6 sites listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places:

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 59.6 square miles (154.3 km²), of which, 58.7 square miles (152.0 km²) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.2 km²) of it is water. The total area is 1.44% water. Sharon is part of the Northwest Highlands of Connecticut, a region in and around the watershed of the Housatonic River. The Appalachian Trail passes through a few miles east of Sharon, near West Cornwall and U.S. Route 7.