Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Key West FL 33040 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Pick an X-Ray Technician Program near Key West Florida

Key West FL x-ray tech internship program Best wishes regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Key West FL in order to learn to be a radiology technician. But now that you have made a decision to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you set about choosing the ideal college and program to ensure that you will get the appropriate training to become a qualified practitioner? And since most states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you may require training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the schools you are considering so that you can compare each program. Many prospective students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and often gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while cost and location should be taken into consideration, there are additional significant qualifications as well. For instance, you should find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are examining 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.

Radiology Technician Occupation Description

There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, they all have the identical principal job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some opt to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for example mammography. They may work in Key West FL hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician might utilize include:

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

Radiographers have to take care of their equipment and frequently evaluate its performance and safety. They are also required to keep detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Key West FL health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degrees

x-ray machine in Key West FL The primary prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have received a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, generally requires 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as four years to finish and is more comprehensive in scope. Most 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 Key West FL radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It can frequently be satisfied by participating in an externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their region. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Florida or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, based on the state where you will be working you may have to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their requirements differ so contact your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but many provide additional options for testing also. Several states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. However, numerous Key West FL employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it may improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Technician Colleges

attending x-ray tech school online in Key West 33040 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree schools. So even though you can still earn your online degree, a large amount of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is typically carried out in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online segment of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Key West FL home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree typically find that the online style of education is much more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online schools are often cheaper than on-campus options. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting can be lessened also. But just make certain that the online school you choose is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then online classes may be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask X Ray Tech Programs

After you have selected the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of locating and evaluating Key West FL x-ray technician schools. You will also need to determine if you want to attend classes online or drive to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be important. The price of tuition and secondary 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 should ask if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details before you make your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are looking at.

Are the Radiology Tech Programs Accredited? Most xray technician schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to make sure that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly respected 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 gone through a rigorous evaluation of their teachers 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. Along with guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in securing financial aid and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Key West FL health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out if the Florida radiology tech programs you are evaluating have partnerships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent manner to receive hands on training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist students and graduates develop professional connections in the Key West FL medical community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Key West FL healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Key West FL home. Those who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble 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 even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Key West FL colleges you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the x-ray tech college you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Key West FL, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Want to Be an X-Ray Tech?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's important to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask radiographer candidates is "What drove you to select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for being an X-Ray tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to radiography, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must organize a number of approaches about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Ideal X-Ray Technician College near Key West FL

Selecting the appropriate radiology technician college is a crucial first step toward beginning a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the majority of the workday and position and at times lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to adhere to the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best available care to patients. As has been addressed in this report, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are assessing prior to making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you decide on an online program or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each school so you can focus your options before making your final choice. And with the proper training and your commitment to be successful, you can realize your goal to work as a radiographer in Key West FL.

Some Background on Key West Florida

Key West, Florida

Key West is an island city in Florida and the county seat of Monroe County.[5] The city boundaries include the island of Key West and several nearby islands, as well as the section of Stock Island north of U.S. Route 1, on the adjacent key just east of the city. Sigsbee Park—originally known as Dredgers Key—and Fleming Key, both located to the north, and Sunset Key located to the west are all included in the city boundaries. Both Fleming Key and Sigsbee Park are part of Naval Air Station Key West and are inaccessible to the general public. Key West is the southernmost city in the contiguous United States and the southern terminus of U.S. Route 1, State Road A1A, the East Coast Greenway and, before 1935, the Florida East Coast Railway.

Key West is 129 miles (208 km) southwest of Miami by air,[6] about 160 miles (260 km) by car, and 106 miles (171 km) north-northeast of Havana, Cuba.[7] Cuba, at its closest point, is 94 miles (151 km) south.[8] Key West is a port of call for many passenger cruise ships.[9] The Key West International Airport provides airline service. Naval Air Station Key West is an important year round training site for naval aviation due to the tropical weather, which is also the reason Key West was chosen as the Winter White House of President Harry S. Truman. The central business district is located along Duval Street and includes much of the northwestern corner of the island. The official city motto is "One Human Family."

In Pre-Colonial times Key West was inhabited by the Calusa people. The first European to visit was Juan Ponce de León in 1521. As Florida became a Spanish territory, a fishing and salvage village with a small garrison was established here.[citation needed]

Cayo Hueso (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈkaʝo ˈweso]) is the original Spanish name for the island of Key West. Spanish-speaking people today also use the term when referring to Key West. It literally means "bone cay (a low island or reef)". It is said that the island was littered with the remains (bones) of prior native inhabitants, who used the isle as a communal graveyard.[10] This island was the westernmost Key with a reliable supply of water.[11]

In 1763, when Great Britain took control of Florida, the community of Spaniards and Native Americans were moved to Havana. Florida returned to Spanish control 20 years later, but there was no official resettlement of the island. Informally the island was used by fishermen from Cuba and from the British, who were later joined by others from the United States after the latter nation's independence. While claimed by Spain, no nation exercised de facto control over the community there for some time.