How to Select an X-Ray Tech Degree Program in Florida
Congrats regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school in Florida so you can learn to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have made a decision to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, exactly how do you set about picking the right school and program so that you will get the proper training to become a skilled professional? And because the majority of states do mandate that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you might need preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you research each of the schools you are considering so that you can compare each program. Many potential students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and usually settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location need to be considered, there are additional important qualifiers also. For instance, you must 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 provided later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic technician does and the degrees and training choices that are available.
Radiology Tech Job Description
There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the identical principal job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many elect to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, such as mammography. They can practice in Florida clinics, hospitals, private 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 care for their equipment and also frequently evaluate its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Florida health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
Radiology Technician Degrees Available
The basic prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, usually requires 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to four years to complete and is more comprehensive in nature. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be appropriate as well. Something to keep in mind is that Florida radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may frequently be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which many schools sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Florida or the state you will be working as applicable.
Radiographer Licensing and Certification
When you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, depending on the state where you will be working you might need to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their prerequisites vary so check 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 provide other alternatives for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. However, numerous Florida employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.
Online X-Ray Technician Degrees
As a component of any degree program, Florida x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree schools. So while you can still obtain your degree online, a considerable portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is often conducted 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 Florida residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree typically find that the online style of education is much more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are generally less expensive than traditional options. In addition to lower tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials may be lessened also. But just confirm that the online program you select 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 school may be the ideal choice for you.
Subjects to Ask Radiographer Programs
As soon as you have selected the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of finding and assessing Florida x-ray tech schools. You will also have to determine if you want to attend classes online or drive 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 also. But along with cost and location, what else should you factor in when reviewing colleges? Well, you need to ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these crucial details before you make your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you must ask the schools you are reviewing.
Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? A large number of xray tech schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to make sure 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). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through an extensive examination of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online 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 quality education, accreditation will also help in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Florida employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level openings.
Are Internships Offered? Find out if the Florida xray tech schools you are evaluating have partnerships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to obtain hands on training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist graduates and students form professional connections in the Florida health care community and assist with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Florida healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Florida residence. Those who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Florida schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology tech program also.
Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the x-ray tech college you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Florida, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.
Select the Best X-Ray Tech Program in Florida
Enrolling in the ideal x-ray technician school is a critical first step toward starting a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the majority of the workday and position and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also show a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety guidelines designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best possible patient care. As we have addressed in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each program you are assessing before making your final selection. This is equally true whether you enroll in an online program or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can analyze and compare each college so you can focus your options before making your final choice. And with the appropriate education and your dedication to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Florida.