Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Alexandria LA 71301 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Pick an X-Ray Technician School near Alexandria Louisiana

Alexandria LA x-ray tech internship program Best wishes regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Alexandria LA so you can learn to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have made a decision to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you undertake selecting the ideal school and program so that you will receive the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And since most states do mandate that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you may require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the schools you are considering so that you can evaluate each program. A number of potential students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and frequently settle on the most affordable cost. But while expense and location must be taken into consideration, there are additional critical qualifiers as well. For instance, you must ask whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. 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 x-ray technician does and the credentials and education choices that are available.

Radiology Tech Occupation Summary

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the same primary job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many elect to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for instance mammography. They can practice in Alexandria LA clinics, hospitals, 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 and routinely evaluate its functionality and safety. They are also required to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Alexandria LA health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degree Options

x-ray machine in Alexandria LA The basic requirement for attending an x-ray tech college is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on 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 nature. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are appropriate also. Something to bear in mind is that Alexandria LA radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It can typically be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which many colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing mandates in Louisiana or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, depending on the state where you will be working you might have to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their requirements vary so get in touch with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but several accept additional alternatives for testing also. Some states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. However, many Alexandria LA employers favor hiring radiology techs that have earned certification so it could increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technologist Classes

attending x-ray tech school online in Alexandria 71301 As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree colleges. So while you can still obtain your online degree, a substantial portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is usually carried out in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online segment of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your Alexandria LA home. Students who continue working while earning their degree often find that the online style of learning is much more practical with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are often cheaper than traditional options. Along with reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be lessened as well. But just confirm that the online school you select is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online school may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges

When you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of searching for and evaluating Alexandria LA x-ray tech schools. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the college will be critical. The price of tuition and secondary expenditures will be a material factor as well. But along with location and cost, what else should you factor in when evaluating colleges? Well, you need to check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you find out some of these crucial details prior to making your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are considering.

Are the X-Ray Technician Schools Accredited? The majority of xray technician colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still imperative to verify that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through an extensive assessment of their instructors and educational materials. If the program is online it might also receive 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 superior education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Alexandria LA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the Louisiana xray tech programs you are evaluating have relationships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific means to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist graduates and students form professional relationships in the Alexandria LA health care community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Alexandria LA healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Alexandria LA 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 local internships will be of importance. One thing to keep 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 may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Alexandria LA schools you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the radiographer program you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Alexandria LA, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Desire to Become an Xray Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask radiographer prospects is "What drove you to select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming a radiology technician, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to ready several approaches about how you want to answer them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Best Radiology Tech School near Alexandria LA

Picking the right x-ray tech school is a critical first step toward launching a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs frequently stand for the greater part of the workday and move and sometimes lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are looking at before making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you opt for an online program or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each school so you can narrow down your options and make your decision. And with the right training and your dedication to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to work as a radiographer in Alexandria LA.

Some Background on Alexandria Louisiana

Alexandria, Louisiana

Alexandria is the ninth-largest city in the state of Louisiana and is the parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States.[3] It lies on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. It is the principal city of the Alexandria metropolitan area (population 153,922) which encompasses all of Rapides and Grant parishes. Its neighboring city is Pineville. In 2010, the population was 47,723, an increase of 3 percent from the 2000 census.[4]

Located along the Red River, the city of Alexandria was originally home to a community which supported activities of the adjacent outpost of Post du Rapides. The area developed as an assemblage of traders and merchants in the agricultural lands bordering the mostly unsettled areas to the north and providing a link from the south to the El Camino Real and then larger settlement of Natchitoches, the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase.

Alexander Fulton, a businessman from Washington County, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, received a land grant from Spain in 1785, and the first organized settlement was made at some point in the 1790s. In 1805, Fulton and business partner Thomas Harris Maddox laid out the town plan and named the town in Fulton's honor. The earliest deed that survives, for an Alexandria resident is from June 24, 1805 when a William Cochren who identifies himself as a "of the Town of Alexandria" sold a tract of land across the Red River to a William Murrey.[Louisiana State Land Office, Historical Records, Sales Documents, South Western District, Sales Letters, 39].

That same year Fulton was appointed coroner in Rapides Parish by territorial Governor William C.C. Claiborne.[5] Alexandria was incorporated as a town in 1819 and received a city charter in 1832.[6]

In the spring of 1863, Alexandria was occupied by Union forces under the command of Admiral David Dixon Porter and General Nathaniel P. Banks. Porter arrived with his gunboats on May 7. Later in the day Banks reached Alexandria with his cavalry, whose members had marched twenty-five miles to reach the city that day. According to the historian John D. Winters of Louisiana Tech University, Porter disliked Banks but nevertheless turned over Alexandria to him and then departed to rejoin General U.S. Grant at the ongoing siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Banks posted guards and declared martial law. Porter left behind the gunboat USS Lafayette in Alexandria and posted the USS Pittsburg on the Black River to the northeast.[7]