How to Select an X-Ray Technician Degree Program near Burnham Maine
Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Burnham ME in order to learn to be a radiology technician. And now that you have made a decision to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, exactly how do you tackle picking the right college and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And since most states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you may need training to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you investigate each of the colleges you are considering in order to evaluate each program. Many students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and often settle on the lowest cost. But while location and cost should be taken into account, there are additional critical qualifiers also. For example, you need to ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These inquiries and others you should ask the schools you are considering are presented later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a x-ray tech does and the credentials and training options that are offered.
X-Ray Tech Work Description
There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, they all have the identical principal job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some opt to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They can practice in Burnham ME clinics, hospitals, 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 take care of their equipment plus frequently assess its functionality and safety. They are also expected to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Burnham ME health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered
The basic requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, normally requires 18 months to two years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as four years to finish and is more comprehensive in scope. Most 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 Burnham ME radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may often be satisfied by participating in an externship program which many schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Maine or the state you will be working as applicable.
Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing
After you have graduated from an Radiologist school, based on the state where you will be practicing you might need to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their criteria differ so contact your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but several accept other alternatives for testing also. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. However, numerous Burnham ME employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every other year, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.
Online Radiology Technologist Degrees
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 the same for online degree programs. So even though you can still obtain your degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an internship off-campus. Clinical training is often provided in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online section of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your Burnham ME residence. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree often find that the online approach to learning is much more practical with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are generally more affordable than conventional options. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials may be decreased also. But just make sure that the online program you pick is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online degree may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Radiographer Programs
As soon as you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of looking for and evaluating Burnham ME x-ray technician schools. You will also have to determine if you want to attend online classes or travel to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the school will be critical. The price of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be a determining factor as well. But along with cost and location, what else should you factor in when evaluating schools? Well, you need to find out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details before you make your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the programs you are looking at.
Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? Most xray tech schools have acquired some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed review of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Burnham ME employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level openings.
Are Internships Offered? Inquire if the Maine xray tech programs you are reviewing have relationships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific means to get hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help graduates and students establish professional connections in the Burnham ME medical community and assist with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Burnham ME healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Burnham ME home. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern 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 choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually 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 type of student that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Burnham ME colleges you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the x-ray tech college you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Burnham ME, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.
Why Did You Choose to Be 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. One of the things that hiring managers frequently ask radiographer candidates is "What made you choose radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must organize some ideas about how you want to answer them. Because there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.Pick the Best X-Ray Tech College near Burnham ME
Selecting the right x-ray technician degree program is an important first step toward initiating a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs frequently stand for the majority of the workday and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having social skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and furnish the best possible care to patients. As we have discussed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each program you are assessing before making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you enroll in an online school or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each program so you can focus your options and make your decision. And with the right training and your motivation to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Burnham ME.
Some Background on Burnham Maine
Bo Burnham
Robert Pickering Burnham (born August 21, 1990)[1] is an American comedian, singer-songwriter, musician, rapper, actor, director, and poet.[2][3][4] He began his performance career as a YouTuber in March 2006, and his videos have been viewed over 214 million times[4][5] as of December 2017[update].
Burnham signed a four-year record deal with Comedy Central Records and released his debut EP, Bo Fo Sho, in 2008. His first full-length album, Bo Burnham, was released the following year. In 2010, Burnham's second album was released, and Words Words Words, his first live comedy special, aired on Comedy Central. His third album and second comedy special, what., was released in 2013 on his YouTube channel and Netflix. Burnham finished first overall in voting in 2011's Comedy Central Stand-up Showdown.[6] His third stand-up comedy special, Make Happy, was released exclusively on Netflix on June 3, 2016.[7]
In addition to his career as a comedian, Burnham co-created and starred in the MTV television series Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous and released his first book of poetry, Egghead: Or, You Can't Survive on Ideas Alone, in 2013.[8]
Burnham was born in Hamilton, Massachusetts, the youngest of three children of Scott Burnham, a construction company owner, and Patricia, a nurse at Burnham's school.[2][9] He graduated from St. John's Preparatory School in the spring of 2008, where he was on the honor roll and involved in theatre and the campus ministry program.[2][9] He was admitted to New York University's Tisch School of the Arts to study Experimental Theatre,[10] but instead deferred his admission for a year to pursue a career in comedy.[11]
In 2006, Burnham videotaped himself performing two songs and posted them on YouTube to share with his family.[12] They became an overnight sensation when they were copied to Break.com, with traffic multiplying over 111 times.[2]
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