Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Freeport ME 04032 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Choose a Radiology Tech College near Freeport Maine

Freeport ME x-ray tech internship program Congrats regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Freeport ME so you can train to be a radiologic technician. But now that you have chosen to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you tackle selecting the right college and program so that you will obtain the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that most states do require that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you may require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you research each of the colleges you are looking at so that you can compare each program. Many prospective students start by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and frequently gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while location and cost need to be taken into consideration, there are additional critical qualifiers also. For example, you must find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the schools you are reviewing are provided later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a x-ray tech does and the credentials and education choices that are available.

Radiology Tech Career Description

There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, they all have the identical primary job function, which is to employ 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 may work in Freeport ME clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician may utilize 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 plus routinely assess its performance and safety. They are additionally required to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Freeport ME health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Tech Degree Options

x-ray machine in Freeport ME The standard prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, normally takes 18 months to two years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 4 years to complete and is more expansive in scope. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are acceptable as well. Something to keep in mind is that Freeport ME radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may frequently be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which many schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Maine or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an Radiologist school, based on the state where you will be employed you may need to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their prerequisites vary so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but many approve other options for testing also. A number of states also call for certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, many Freeport ME employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it may increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technologist Programs

attending x-ray tech school online in Freeport 04032 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree schools. So while you can still earn your degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is typically provided in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online section of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Freeport ME home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree typically find that the online approach to learning is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are often less costly than traditional alternatives. Along with reduced tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting can be lessened also. But just be sure that the online program you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then online classes may be the best option for you.

Topics to Ask Radiologic Tech Schools

When you have decided on the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of looking for and evaluating Freeport ME x-ray technician schools. You will also need to determine if you want to attend online classes or drive to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be relevant. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be a determining variable as well. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you factor in when evaluating schools? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details prior to making your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are considering.

Are the X-Ray Technician Schools Accredited? Most xray technician schools have obtained some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to make sure that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly respected 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 evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. 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 acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Freeport ME health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out if the Maine radiology tech programs you are evaluating have relationships with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific manner to receive hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help graduates and students develop professional connections in the Freeport ME healthcare community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the radiographer programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Freeport ME healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they pick will have to be within travelling distance of their Freeport ME residence. Students who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers 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 allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Freeport ME schools you are looking at what the typical 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 determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the radiographer college you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Freeport ME, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become an Xray Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask radiographer applicants is "What drove you to decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to radiography, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should organize some ideas about how you want to answer them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and topics 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 include to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Best X-Ray Tech School near Freeport ME

Picking the ideal radiology tech college is an important first step toward beginning a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs often stand for the greater part of the day and move and in some cases lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best possible care to patients. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are assessing prior to making your ultimate decision. This is similarly true whether you participate in an online program or travel to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can examine and compare each school so you can focus your options and make your final choice. And with the proper training and your commitment to succeed, you can achieve your goal to practice as a x-ray tech in Freeport ME.

Some Background on Freeport Maine

Freeport, Maine

Freeport is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 7,879 at the 2010 census. Known for its numerous outlet stores, Freeport is home to L.L. Bean, Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park, and the Desert of Maine.

Freeport is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area.

The town was once a part of North Yarmouth called Harraseeket, after the Harraseeket River. First settled about 1700, it was set off and incorporated on February 14, 1789 as Freeport. It is probably named "from the openness of its harbor" (free from ice).[4] Freeport developed as four villages—Mast Landing, Porter's Landing, South Freeport and Freeport Corner—all of which are now part of the Harraseeket Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

At the head of tide on the Harraseeket River is Mast Landing, from which timber was shipped, particularly for use as masts. The estuary was dammed to provide water power for a gristmill, sawmill and fulling mill, with modest manufacturing and woodworking.[4] Porter's Landing was involved in shipbuilding, important in Freeport following the Revolutionary War. The industry reached its peak in the decade between 1850 and 1860, but declined with the Civil War.[5] South Freeport, the largest of the waterfront villages, once had four shipyards. Other businesses included fishing, canning and farming. In 1903, the Casco Castle and Amusement Park was built here by Amos Gerald to encourage travel by trolley cars. The hotel burned in 1914, but its tower still stands. Freeport Corner was an inland village for farming and trade, but the 1849 entrance of the railroad helped it develop into the town's commercial center, which it remains. In the 1800s, fabric was sent from New York and Boston to be made into clothing by local piece workers. Businessman E. B. Mallet established here a sawmill, brickyard, granite quarry and large shoe factory.[6]

In 1912, Leon Leonwood Bean opened a store in the basement of his brother's apparel shop at Freeport Corner, selling the "Bean Boot" (or Maine Hunting Shoe). This store, L. L. Bean, became so popular that in 1951 it started remaining open 24 hours a day. Its retail and mail order catalog facilities expanded into Freeport's principal business, and a worldwide company with annual sales of over a billion dollars.[7] The L.L. Bean flagship store is the anchor to outlet shopping in the town of Freeport. The town sees about 3.5 million visitors annually, spending $308 million in 2015 alone.[8] L.L. Bean, for its part, has invested heavily in activities for both visitors and residents, including their Outdoor Discovery Schools, and their Summer Concert Series, which has attracted artists such as Edwin McCain, Great Big Sea, Buckwheat Zydeco, and Rockapella.