How to Find an X-Ray Tech School near Lewisport Kentucky
Best wishes on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Lewisport KY in order to learn to be a radiology technologist. And now that you have decided to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, exactly how do you tackle selecting the right school and program to ensure that you will get the proper training to become a qualified professional? And since most states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you might require training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s imperative that you investigate each of the schools you are considering in order to compare each program. Many students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and typically gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location must be considered, there are additional critical qualifiers as well. For example, you need to find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are reviewing are provided later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a radiology technician does and the degrees and education options that are offered.
X-Ray Technician Work Summary
There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, they all have the identical primary job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some choose to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for example mammography. They can practice in Lewisport KY hospitals, clinics, family 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 frequently evaluate its functionality and safety. They are additionally expected to keep in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Lewisport KY medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
X-Ray Technician Degree Options
The basic prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among techs, generally takes 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as 4 years to complete and is more expansive in nature. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be acceptable also. Something to keep in mind is that Lewisport KY radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It can frequently be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing requirements in Kentucky or the state you will be working as applicable.
X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing
When you have graduated from an X-Ray tech program, based on the state where you will be working you might need to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their requirements differ so contact your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but several approve other options for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Lewisport KY employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it could improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every other year, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.
Online X-Ray Tech Degrees
As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree programs. So while you can still obtain your online degree, a significant amount of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Clinical training is usually conducted in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online portion of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your Lewisport KY residence. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree usually discover that the online approach to education is far more practical with their active schedules. Plus online programs are often less expensive than on-campus alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, costs for commuting and study materials can be decreased as well. But just confirm that the online college you choose is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online school may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask X Ray Tech Programs
When you have decided on the type of degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of searching for and evaluating Lewisport KY x-ray technician schools. You will also have to decide if you prefer to attend classes online or travel to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a determining factor as well. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you factor in when comparing colleges? Well, you need to find out if the colleges 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 assembled a list of questions that you must ask the colleges you are looking at.
Are the Radiology Tech Programs Accredited? Most radiology technician colleges have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to verify that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through an extensive examination of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Lewisport KY health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level openings.
Are Internships Offered? Inquire if the Kentucky radiology tech schools you are assessing have relationships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to receive practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist students and graduates develop professional connections in the Lewisport KY health care community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the radiographer schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Lewisport KY healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Lewisport KY home. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school 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 commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Lewisport KY colleges you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program as well.
Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the radiographer program you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Lewisport KY, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.
Why Did You Desire to Become a Radiology Technician?
When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask radiographer applicants is "What made you select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you must organize several ideas about how you would like to address them. Since there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.Pick the Ideal Radiology Tech College near Lewisport KY
Choosing the right radiology tech college is an important first step toward initiating a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer should be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the majority of the workday and move and in some cases lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also show a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and deliver the best possible patient care. As has been discussed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each program you are reviewing prior to making your final decision. This is equally true whether you decide on an online school or drive to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each program so you can focus your choices before making your decision. And with the appropriate training and your motivation to be successful, you can realize your goal to practice as a x-ray tech in Lewisport KY.
Some Background on Lewisport Kentucky
Lewisport, Kentucky
Lewisport is a home rule-class city[2] in the floodplain of the Ohio River in Hancock County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 1,670 at the 2010 census.[3] It is included in the Owensboro metropolitan area.
Lewisport was originally a ferry landing site known as "Little Yellow Banks", in allusion to Owensboro's original name of "Yellow Banks". The first settler was James Prentis, who platted the current town in 1837 with his brother John. An attempt to rename the city "Prentisport" failed, though, when James insisted the town be named after his friend Dr. John Lewis instead. The town was chartered as "Lewisport" in 1839, and the post office was established under that name in 1844.[4] The city was formally incorporated by the state assembly the same year, but needed to be reincorporated in 1882.[5]
Logging and flatboat construction were the initial chief industries.[6] The river has flooded the city repeatedly, and the importance of lumber construction and industry has sparked several major fires.[7]
Abraham Lincoln won his first case – Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Abraham Lincoln – in Lewisport's Pate House, at the time the site of the local circuit court. He was tried in the east room of the log house before Squire Pate for operating a ferry across the Ohio River without a license, but the justice of the peace dismissed the case against him. The house is now a county landmark and is open for tours throughout the year.[8]
During the Civil War, Bill Davison and Isaac Coulter captured and robbed the steamship Morning Star here on December 23, 1864, killing three Union soldiers.[9] The town's only bank was shuttered during the Great Depression. Upon its founding in 1938, the Lewisport School System comprised eight local one-room schools; today it is part of the Hancock County Consolidated School System.[7]
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