Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Brunswick ME 04011 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Choose a Radiology Technician College near Brunswick Maine

Brunswick ME x-ray tech internship program Best wishes on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Brunswick ME so you can become a radiologic technician. And now that you have made a decision to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, just how do you go about selecting the right college and program so that you will receive the proper training to become a skilled professional? And since the majority of states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you might need training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s essential that you research each of the colleges you are looking at in order to compare each program. Many students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and often gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location need to be taken into consideration, there are other important qualifications also. For example, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are reviewing are presented later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a x-ray tech does and the credentials and education choices that are available.

X-Ray Tech Work Summary

There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, each has the identical fundamental job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some elect to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They can work in Brunswick ME clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist 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 also regularly assess its functionality and safety. They are additionally expected to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Brunswick ME health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Tech Degree Options

x-ray machine in Brunswick ME The standard requirement for attending a radiology tech college is to have received a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, usually requires 18 months to two years to finish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 4 years to finish and is more comprehensive in nature. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be acceptable as well. One thing to bear in mind is that Brunswick ME radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may frequently be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any licensing or certification mandates in Maine or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, depending on the state where you will be employed 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 purpose of licensing, but several offer other options for testing as well. A number of states also require certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is optional. However, many Brunswick ME employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technician Colleges

attending x-ray tech school online in Brunswick 04011 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree colleges. So even though you can still obtain your online degree, a substantial portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is often carried out in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online section of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your Brunswick ME home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree typically find that the online approach to learning is far more practical with their active schedules. Plus online programs are frequently cheaper than conventional options. Along with lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be lessened as well. But just confirm that the online school you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online school may be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Radiologic Tech Schools

Once you have selected the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of finding and evaluating Brunswick ME x-ray tech schools. You will also have to determine if you want to attend classes online or drive to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be an important variable also. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you look at when reviewing colleges? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these crucial details prior to making your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of radiology technician colleges have acquired some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative 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 earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through an extensive assessment of their instructors and educational materials. If the program is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Brunswick ME health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level positions.

Are Internships Provided? Find out if the Maine radiology technician colleges you are interested in have associations with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to receive practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist students and graduates develop professional connections in the Brunswick ME healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the radiographer schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Brunswick ME healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will need to be within travelling distance of their Brunswick ME home. Students who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Brunswick ME schools you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program also.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the x-ray tech program you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Brunswick ME, make sure that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become an Xray Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask radiographer applicants is "What made you pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming a radiology technician, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare several approaches about how you would like to address them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal X-Ray Technician Program near Brunswick ME

Picking the best radiology technician college is a crucial first step toward beginning a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs often stand for the majority of the workday and position and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and furnish the best available patient care. As we have addressed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are reviewing before making your final selection. This is similarly 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 program so you can narrow down your choices and make your final choice. And with the right training and your dedication to succeed, you can realize your goal to work as a radiographer in Brunswick ME.

Some Background on Brunswick Maine

Brunswick, Maine

Brunswick is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 20,278 at the 2010 United States Census. Part of the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford metropolitan area, Brunswick is home to Bowdoin College, the Bowdoin College Museum of Art, the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, The Theater Project, and the Maine State Music Theatre. It is also home to Mid Coast Hospital, one of Maine's newest full-service hospitals. It was formerly home to the U.S. Naval Air Station Brunswick, which was permanently closed on May 31, 2011.

Settled in 1628 by Thomas Purchase and other fishermen, the area was called by its Indian name, Pejepscot, meaning "the long, rocky rapids part [of the river]". In 1639, Purchase placed his settlement under protection of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. During King Philip's War in 1676, Pejepscot was burned and abandoned, although a garrison called Fort Andros was built on the ruins during King William's War. During the war, in Major Benjamin Church's second expedition a year later, he arrived on 11 September 1690 with 300 men at Casco Bay. He went up the Androscoggin River to the English Fort Pejepscot (present day Brunswick, Maine).[4] From there he went 40 miles up-river and attacked a native village. Three or four native men were shot in retreat; when Church discovered 5 English captives in the wigwams, six or seven prisoners were butchered as an example;[5] and nine prisoners were taken. A few days later, in retaliation, the natives attacked Church at Cape Elizabeth on Purpooduc Point, killing 7 of his men and wounding 24 others.[6] On September 26, Church returned to Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

The 1713 Treaty of Portsmouth brought peace to the region between the Abenaki Indians and the English colonists.[7]

In 1714, a consortium from Boston and Portsmouth bought the land, thereafter called the Pejepscot Purchase. The Massachusetts General Court constituted the township in 1717, naming it Brunswick in honor of the House of Brunswick and its scion, King George I. A stone fort called Fort George was built in 1715 near the falls. But during Dummer's War on July 13, 1722, Abenaki warriors from Norridgewock burned the village. Consequently, Governor Samuel Shute declared war on the Abenakis. In 1724, 208 English troops left Fort Richmond and sacked Norridgewock during Dummer's War. Brunswick was rebuilt again in 1727, and in 1739 incorporated as a town. It became a prosperous seaport, where Bowdoin College was chartered in 1794.[7]

The Androscoggin River falls in three successive stages for a total vertical drop of 41 feet (12 m), providing water power for industry. Brunswick became a major producer of lumber, with as many as 25 sawmills. Some of the lumber went into shipbuilding. Other firms produced paper, soap, flour, marble and granite work, carriages and harness, plows, furniture, shoes and confections. The town was site of the first cotton mill in Maine, the Brunswick Cotton Manufactory Company, built in 1809 to make yarn. Purchased in 1812, the mill was enlarged by the Maine Cotton & Woolen Factory Company.[8] In 1857, the Cabot Manufacturing Company was established to make cotton textiles. It bought the failed Worumbo Mill and expanded the brick factory along the falls. Needing even more room, the company in 1890 persuaded the town to move Maine Street.[9]