How to Choose an Xray Tech Degree Program in Kansas
Congrats on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school in Kansas in order to learn to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have made a decision to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, just how do you set about selecting the ideal school and program so that you will get the appropriate training to become a qualified practitioner? And since the majority of states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you may need training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s imperative that you investigate each of the colleges you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. A number of prospective students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and usually gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while expense and location should be considered, there are other significant qualifications as well. For example, you should find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are evaluating are provided later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology tech does and the credentials and training choices that are available.
X-Ray Tech Work Description
There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the identical principal 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 administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some opt to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for example mammography. They may practice in Kansas clinics, hospitals, family 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 plus frequently evaluate its functionality and safety. They are also required to keep in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Kansas medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
Radiology Technician Degrees
The basic prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, generally takes 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 finish and is more expansive in nature. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be acceptable as well. One thing to bear in mind is that Kansas radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may typically be satisfied by participating in an externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Kansas or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing
When you have graduated from an Radiologist college, based on the state where you will be employed you may have to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their requirements vary so get in touch with your state. At present, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many provide additional alternatives for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. Having said that, numerous Kansas employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might enhance your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.
Online Radiology Technician Degrees
As a component of every degree program, Kansas x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree schools. So even though you can still obtain your online degree, a substantial amount of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an internship off-campus. Practical training is usually conducted in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Kansas home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree typically find that the online approach to learning is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online colleges are generally less costly than on-campus options. Along with lower tuition, costs for commuting and study materials can be reduced also. But just make certain that the online program you enroll in 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 school may be the best choice for you.
Questions to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges
As soon as you have selected the kind of degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of finding and assessing Kansas x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to decide if you prefer to attend classes online or drive to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be relevant. The price of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a determining variable as well. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you factor in when reviewing schools? Well, you should ask if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these important details prior to making your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you need to ask the programs you are considering.
Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? Most xray technician schools have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to make sure that the program and school 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 receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive evaluation of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. 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 help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Kansas health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level positions.
Are Internships Offered? Ask if the Kansas radiology tech schools you are reviewing have relationships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific way to get hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help graduates and students form professional connections in the Kansas medical community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Kansas healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Kansas residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Kansas colleges you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program also.
Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the x-ray tech program you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Kansas, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.
Pick the Right Radiology Tech College in Kansas
Picking the appropriate radiology tech college is a critical first step toward launching a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs frequently stand for the majority of the working day and move and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show an ability 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 technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing social skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision. This is equally true whether you opt for an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can examine and compare each college so you can narrow down your options and make your final choice. And with the appropriate training and your commitment to succeed, you can achieve your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Kansas.