How to Find an Xray Tech Program in Indiana
Congratulations on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school in Indiana so you can train to be a radiology technician. But now that you have decided to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, exactly how do you set about choosing the right school and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a qualified practitioner? And since the majority of states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the schools you are considering so that you can evaluate each program. A number of potential students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and often settle on the most affordable cost. But while expense and location should be taken into account, there are additional significant qualifications as well. For example, you need to ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are evaluating are presented later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray technician does and the credentials and training options that are offered.
Radiology Technician Occupation Summary
There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, they all have the same fundamental job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many choose to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They can practice in Indiana hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech might work with include:
- Traditional and specialized X-Rays
- Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Sonography or ultrasound
- Fluoroscopy
Radiographers must maintain their equipment plus regularly analyze its functionality and safety. They are also required to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Indiana medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
Radiology Technician Degree Options
The primary requirement for enrolling in an x-ray tech college is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among techs, normally takes 18 months to two years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to complete and is more expansive in nature. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that may be acceptable as well. Something to keep in mind is that Indiana radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may typically be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Indiana or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
X-Ray Tech Licensing and Certification
When you have graduated from an Radiologist college, depending on the state where you will be employed you may need to become licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their criteria vary 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 licensing application, but several offer other alternatives for testing as well. Some states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, if not it is voluntary. However, many Indiana employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it may enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.
Online Radiology Tech Schools
As a part of any degree program, Indiana x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree colleges. So even though you can still earn your degree online, a large portion of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off-campus. Clinical training is usually carried out in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online portion of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Indiana residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree often discover that the online style of learning is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are generally less expensive than traditional options. Along with reduced tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials can be reduced as well. But just confirm that the online program you choose 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 online classes may be the ideal option for you.
Subjects to Ask Radiologic Tech Programs
When you have chosen the type of degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of finding and assessing Indiana x-ray tech schools. You will also have to determine 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 critical. The price of tuition and secondary expenditures will be a determining factor also. But along with location and cost, what else should you look at when evaluating colleges? Well, you should check out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details prior to making your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are considering.
Are the X-Ray Tech Schools Accredited? The majority of radiology technician schools have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to confirm that the program and school 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). Programs earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations 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 securing financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Indiana employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level jobs.
Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the Indiana xray tech schools you are reviewing have partnerships with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to get hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can help graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Indiana healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are interviewing have job placement 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 Indiana healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Indiana residence. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Indiana schools you are looking at what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program also.
Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the x-ray tech program you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Indiana, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.
Choose the Right X-Ray Tech Program in Indiana
Choosing the appropriate radiology technician college is a critical first step toward launching a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the greater part of the day and position and at times lift the patient to get the proper image. Candidates must also show a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians 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 good work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. As has been covered in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are assessing before making your final decision. This is equally true whether you enroll in an online program or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each college so you can focus your choices and make your final choice. And with the appropriate education and your dedication to be successful, you can achieve your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Indiana.