Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near New Port Richey FL 34652

How to Choose an Xray Tech School near New Port Richey Florida

New Port Richey FL x-ray tech internship program Congrats on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near New Port Richey FL so you can learn to be a radiologic technologist. But now that you have decided to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, just how do you set about choosing the right college and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And since most states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you subsequently practice you may need preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the schools you are considering in order to compare each program. A number of students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and frequently gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location need to be considered, there are additional significant qualifiers as well. For example, you must ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the schools you are evaluating are provided later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic tech does and the degrees and training choices that are available.

X-Ray Tech Job Description

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, they all have the identical principal job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many opt to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for example mammography. They can practice in New Port Richey FL clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician may 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 functionality and safety. They are additionally expected to retain in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As New Port Richey FL medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in New Port Richey FL The standard requirement for attending a radiology tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, usually requires 18 months to two years to finish based upon the program and course load. 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 related majors that are appropriate also. One thing to keep in mind is that New Port Richey FL radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may typically be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Florida or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an X-Ray tech program, based on the state where you will be employed you may need to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so get in touch with your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but a number accept additional options for testing also. Several states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is optional. However, many New Port Richey FL employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it may increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Tech Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in New Port Richey 34652 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree schools. So while you can still obtain your degree online, a large portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Practical training is usually performed in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online section of the training can be attended in the privacy of your New Port Richey FL residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree usually discover that the online style of learning is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online programs are often less costly than on-campus options. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But just be sure that the online program you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online school may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Radiology Tech Schools

After you have selected the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of looking for and assessing New Port Richey FL x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be important. The price of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be an important variable also. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you factor in when reviewing schools? Well, you should find out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these essential details prior to making your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are looking at.

Are the X-Ray Tech Colleges Accredited? The majority of xray technician schools have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still imperative to verify that the program and school 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 earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed review of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting agencies 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 assist in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of New Port Richey FL employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level openings.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Inquire if the Florida radiology tech programs you are evaluating have relationships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific manner to obtain practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help graduates and students form professional connections in the New Port Richey FL health care community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with New Port Richey FL healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their New Port Richey FL residence. Students who have chosen to attend classes online obviously 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 keep 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 may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the New Port Richey FL colleges you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the x-ray tech college you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in New Port Richey FL, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Radiologic Technologist?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask radiographer prospects is "What made you pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should ready a number of ideas about how you want to respond to them. Since there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the talents you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Select the Ideal X-Ray Technician College near New Port Richey FL

Picking the right radiology technician degree program is a critical first step toward initiating a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs often stand for the greater part of the working day and move and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety requirements designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having social skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best available care to patients. As has been covered in this report, there are several questions that you need to ask each school you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection. This is equally true whether you decide on an online program or drive to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each school so you can focus your choices and make your decision. And with the appropriate training and your commitment to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as a radiology tech in New Port Richey FL.

Some Background on New Port Richey Florida

New Port Richey, Florida

New Port Richey is a city in Pasco County, Florida, United States. It is a suburban city included in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.

By 1914 the area around Orange Lake was being called "new Port Richey" and the older part of Port Richey was called "old Port Richey." In 1915 a separate post office was established for the residents of the southern part of Port Richey. The post office was named New Port Richey, and the name became official. The first postmaster was Gerben DeVries. The growth of the city came about after George Sims purchased the Port Richey Land Company. He built a home in New Port Richey in 1916.

The first Chasco Fiesta was held in 1922 to raise money for the local library. The event was revived in 1947 and has been held annually since then. It includes a large street parade and a boat parade on successive Saturdays.

In 1924 New Port Richey was incorporated. The first mayor was Dr. Elroy M. Avery, an educator, historian, and prolific author who came to New Port Richey from Cleveland after he retired in 1919.[5]

The first act of the city council was to accept Enchantment Park as a gift from George Sims. The park was renamed Sims Park. The main attractions of the city were the park, the Pithlachascotee River, and Orange Lake.