Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Lyons IL 60534 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Find a Radiologic Technician School near Lyons Illinois

Lyons IL x-ray tech internship program Congratulations regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Lyons IL in order to train to be a radiologic technologist. But now that you have decided to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you set about choosing the right college and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled professional? And since most states do mandate that x-ray technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you may require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you research each of the schools you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. Most prospective students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and often settle on the lowest cost. But while location and cost must be taken into account, there are additional important qualifications also. For example, you should find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the schools you are evaluating are provided later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology tech does and the credentials and training options that are offered.

Radiology Technician Career Summary

There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, each has the identical major job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some opt to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for example mammography. They can practice in Lyons IL hospitals, clinics, 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 must care for their equipment plus regularly evaluate its performance and safety. They are also required to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Lyons IL health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Tech Degrees

x-ray machine in Lyons IL The standard requirement for attending an x-ray tech school is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, usually requires 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to four years to finish and is more expansive in nature. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that are acceptable as well. One thing to consider is that Lyons IL radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by taking part in an externship program which many schools sponsor 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 requirements in Illinois or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiographer Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, based on the state where you will be practicing you might have to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their prerequisites differ so get in touch with your state. At present, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but a number provide other options for testing as well. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Lyons IL employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it may enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every other year, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Technician Schools

attending x-ray tech school online in Lyons 60534 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree schools. So even though you can still obtain your degree online, a large amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is usually conducted in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online section of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Lyons IL residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree usually find that the online approach to learning is much more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are generally cheaper than traditional options. In addition to lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be decreased also. But just confirm that the online college you choose is accredited (more on the advantages 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 ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges

After you have decided on the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of finding and evaluating Lyons IL x-ray technician schools. You will also need to decide if you prefer to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the college will be critical. The cost of tuition and secondary expenditures will be a determining factor as well. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you factor in when comparing colleges? Well, you should check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you find out some of these important details prior to making your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the schools you are assessing.

Are the X-Ray Tech Schools Accredited? Most xray technician schools have acquired some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to verify that the school and program 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 receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed assessment of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Lyons IL employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Inquire if the Illinois radiology tech colleges you are reviewing have associations with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific way to obtain hands on training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist students and graduates form professional relationships in the Lyons IL medical community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the radiographer programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Lyons IL healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Lyons IL home. Students who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often 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.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Lyons IL colleges you are considering what the average student to teacher 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 talk with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the radiographer college you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Lyons IL, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

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

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers often ask radiographer applicants is "What drove you to decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to radiography, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare several approaches about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Right Radiology Tech School near Lyons IL

Picking the ideal x-ray tech college is a critical first step toward launching a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs regularly stand for the majority of the working day and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with 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 doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best available care to patients. As we have discussed in this report, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection. This is similarly true whether you participate in an online program or travel to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each school so you can narrow down your choices and make your final choice. And with the right education and your commitment to be successful, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiographer in Lyons IL.

Some Background on Lyons Illinois

Lyons, Illinois

Lyons (also known as Lyons Township) is a village in Lyons Township Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 10,729 at the 2010 census. The Chicago Portage National Historic Site is located in Lyons.

Although first settled in 1888, Lyons remained as a large unincorporated area of Cook County for several years, before becoming a census-designated place in 2009. The community is greatly steeped in earlier historical roots. In 1673 French Explorer Louis Joliet and Jesuit missionary Father Pierre Marquette left Green Bay, Wisconsin, by canoe in search of a western passage to the Pacific. As they traveled into the Spanish controlled area of Louisiana, they realized that the mighty Mississippi River drained into the already well known Gulf of Mexico. With winter approaching, they headed north as quickly as possible. To save time, the Potawatomi Indians who were with them encouraged changing their route to the Illinois River. The short cut led to the Des Plaines River and caused the French travelers to discover “Le Portage.” This half-mile wide area of land connecting the Chicago River and the Des Plaines River, over which they could carry their canoes and supplies, was to become the discovery for which they would both become famous. Later known as the Chicago Portage, this small area became the “Gateway to the West” and was used by thousands of early settlers and traders traveling both east and west. The discovery of “Le Portage” was part of the impetus that led to Chicago becoming a center for the world trade.

Louis Joliet conceived the idea of constructing a canal to connect the two waterways. This idea was to become a reality 200 years later with the opening of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. In time, the part of the I&M Canal that connected the south branch of the Chicago River with the Des Plaines River was replaced with the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, which was completed in 1900. Today, a statue stands in Lyons at the Chicago Portage National Historic Sight just north of Interstate 55 along Harlem Avenue, commemorating this historic National Heritage Corridor which stretches southwest through La Salle, Illinois.

From the early 1960s through the late 1980s, Lyons was known for its notorious links to organized crime. Mayor William Smith, for whom a park was named, was being subjected to a federal corruption investigation when he died from cancer in 1989. During the 1970s and 1980s, the small town was littered with notorious strip clubs and bars along its Ogden Avenue corridor. It was often referred to an area of east Ogden Avenue known as "Driftland", due to the amount of drifters in the area. However, the village changed dramatically in the 1990s, and several of the strip clubs and the majority of the bars no longer exist.

Lyons is a working class area, though much of the nearby manufacturing work has dried up (e.g., Electro-Motive & Reynolds Aluminum). The city has historically been home to a large Polish American community since the turn of the 20th century, which is reflected in three of the town's street names: Pulaski after Revolutionary War hero Casimir Pulaski as well as Warsaw and Cracow. Lyons is the subject of a recently published book by Mark Athitakis, a native of Lyons, detailing the town's rich and colorful history.