How to Choose an X-Ray Technician Program in Georgia
Best wishes on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school in Georgia in order to learn to be a radiology technician. And now that you have made a decision to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you set about selecting the ideal college and program to ensure that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And considering that most states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you might need training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s essential that you research each of the colleges you are looking at in order to compare each program. A number of prospective students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and typically gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location should be taken into account, there are additional important qualifiers as well. For example, you should find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are examining are presented later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a x-ray technician does and the credentials and education options that are available.
Radiology Tech Career Description
There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, each has the same primary job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some opt to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for example mammography. They can work in Georgia hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech 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 take care of their equipment plus frequently assess its functionality and safety. They are additionally required to retain complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Georgia health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
Radiology Tech Degree Options
The primary requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech college is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, usually requires 18 months to two years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as four years to complete 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 Georgia radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may often be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Georgia or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification
When you have graduated from an Radiologist college, depending on the state where you will be practicing you might have to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their prerequisites vary so contact your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but a number offer other options for testing as well. A number of states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. However, many Georgia employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.
Online X-Ray Tech Degrees
As a part of any degree program, Georgia x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree colleges. So although you can still obtain your degree online, 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. But the online section of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Georgia home. Students who keep working while earning their degree usually discover that the online approach to education is far more practical with their active schedules. Plus online schools are frequently less costly than traditional options. In addition to reduced tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting can be reduced also. But just be sure that the online school you pick 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.
Questions to Ask X Ray Tech Colleges
As soon as you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of searching for and evaluating Georgia x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to determine if you want to attend classes online or drive to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be important. The price of tuition and secondary expenses will be an important variable also. But along with cost and location, what else should you consider when comparing schools? Well, you should check out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these essential details prior to making your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the schools you are considering.
Are the X-Ray Tech Programs Accredited? Most xray tech colleges have obtained some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to make sure that the school and program 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive examination of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial aid and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Georgia employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level jobs.
Are Internships Sponsored? Find out if the Georgia xray tech schools you are interested in have associations with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great way to receive practical training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist graduates and students form professional connections in the Georgia health care community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the radiographer programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Georgia healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Georgia residence. 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. Something 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 may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Georgia colleges you are considering what the typical student to teacher 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 a chance to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the x-ray tech program you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Georgia, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.
Choose the Ideal X-Ray Tech Program in Georgia
Selecting the right radiology tech college is an important first step toward initiating a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs frequently stand for the majority of the day and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having social skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best available care to patients. As we have addressed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each school you are reviewing 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 appropriate questions you can examine and compare each program so you can focus your choices and make your final choice. And with the right education and your motivation to succeed, you can achieve your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Georgia.