Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Bowdoinham ME 04008 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Select a Radiologic Technician Program near Bowdoinham Maine

Bowdoinham ME x-ray tech internship program Congrats on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Bowdoinham ME so you can train to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have chosen to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, just how do you go about selecting the ideal school and program to ensure that you will obtain the proper training to become a skilled professional? And because most states do require that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you might need preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s imperative that you research each of the schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. A number of prospective students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and typically gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location must be taken into account, there are additional critical qualifiers also. For instance, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internships. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are considering are provided later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic tech does and the credentials and education options that are offered.

Radiology Tech Job Description

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, each has the same major 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 provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many elect to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for instance mammography. They can practice in Bowdoinham ME clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist may utilize include:

Traditional and specialized X-Rays
Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Sonography or ultrasound
Fluoroscopy

Radiographers must take care of their equipment and also frequently assess its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to retain complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Bowdoinham ME health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degree Options

x-ray machine in Bowdoinham ME The basic prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech college is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among techs, usually requires 18 months to two years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finish and is more expansive in scope. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are acceptable as well. Something to consider is that Bowdoinham ME radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may typically be satisfied by taking part in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Maine or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, based on the state where you will be working you may have to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their prerequisites vary so get in touch with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but a number approve additional options for testing also. Several states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is optional. However, many Bowdoinham ME employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification 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 comprehensive examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every 2 years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Tech Schools

attending x-ray tech school online in Bowdoinham 04008 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 programs. So although you can still obtain your degree online, a substantial amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Clinical training is usually performed in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online segment of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Bowdoinham ME residence. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree often discover that the online style of learning is far more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online programs are frequently less costly than conventional alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials can be reduced also. But just make sure that the online school you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then online classes may be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Radiologic Tech Colleges

As soon as you have decided on the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of locating and evaluating Bowdoinham ME x-ray tech schools. You will also need to determine if you want to attend online classes or travel to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be important. The price of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be an important variable as well. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you consider when reviewing schools? Well, you should ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these important details before you make your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are considering.

Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? Most radiology technician colleges have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still important to confirm that the school and program 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 earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive examination of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets 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 ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Bowdoinham ME health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out if the Maine xray tech colleges you are assessing have partnerships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to receive practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Bowdoinham ME medical community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the radiographer programs 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 sizable networks and great relationships with Bowdoinham ME healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Bowdoinham ME home. Those who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something 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 often 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.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Bowdoinham ME colleges you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the x-ray tech program you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Bowdoinham ME, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

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

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask radiographer candidates is "What drove you to decide on radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare a number of strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Pick the Right Radiology Tech College near Bowdoinham ME

Selecting the best x-ray technician college is a crucial first step toward launching a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs typically stand for the majority of the workday and move and sometimes lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having social skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. As has been discussed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are assessing prior to making your final selection. This is equally true whether you participate in an online program or drive to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each school so you can focus your choices and make your decision. And with the right training and your commitment to be successful, you can achieve your goal to practice as a x-ray tech in Bowdoinham ME.

Some Background on Bowdoinham Maine

Bowdoinham, Maine

Bowdoinham is a town in Sagadahoc County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,889 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area. The town is located on the west side of Merrymeeting Bay.

Fort Richmond was built upriver in 1719, protecting the area and encouraging British settlement. About 1720, the mouth of the Cathance River was first settled by Captain Gyles Watkins. But during Dummer's War, in the summer of 1723 all buildings in the region were burned and cattle killed by the Norridgewocks and their 250 Indian allies from New France. The Kennebec River region was abandoned. When Gov. William Dummer's Treaty of 1725 brought peace, it was resettled about 1730 by Abraham and Jonas Preble from York.[5]

Litigation from two conflicting claims, however, slowed the town's development. On July 3, 1637, Sir Ferdinando Gorges, the lord proprietor of Maine, had granted this part of New Somersetshire to Sir Richard Edgcumbe of Mount Edgcumbe House, situated at Cremyll in Cornwall, England. But the Kennebec Company conveyed it in 1752 to William Bowdoin of Boston, older brother of James Bowdoin. The contested ownership went to court, whereupon Bowdoin won because Edgcumbe's grant was found obsolete and indefinite.[6] On September 18, 1762, the Massachusetts General Court incorporated it as Bowdoinham, named for William Bowdoin. It originally included Richmond, set off in 1823, and portions of Topsham and the Plantation of West Bowdoinham, set off in 1788 as Bowdoin.[7]

Farmers grew apples, wheat, hay and potatoes. They also raised sheep. Shipbuilding was an important early industry which faded over time, with the first vessel launched in 1768, and the last of any size in 1912. By 1886, the town had three sawmills, a gristmill, plaster mill, two clothing factories, a cheese factory and about a dozen ice companies. It also produced boots and shoes, tinware, carriages and harness. Once a site of wharves to ship lumber and other goods, Cathance Landing became the town's business center called Bowdoinham Village.[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.20 square miles (101.53 km2), of which, 34.40 square miles (89.10 km2) of it is land and 4.80 square miles (12.43 km2) is water.[2] Situated beside Merrymeeting Bay, Bowdoinham is drained by the Cathance River, Abagadasset River, Muddy River and Kennebec River.