How to Choose an X-Ray Technician Program near Monroe Maine
Congrats on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Monroe ME so you can train to be a radiologic technologist. But now that you have decided to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, just how do you tackle selecting the right college and program so that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a skilled professional? And considering that most states do require that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you may need preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the colleges you are looking at in order to compare each program. A number of potential students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and frequently gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location must be taken into consideration, there are other important qualifications as well. For example, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you must ask the schools you are reviewing are provided later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiology technician does and the degrees and education choices that are available.
X-Ray Tech Career Summary
There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the identical principal job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some opt to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They can practice in Monroe ME clinics, hospitals, private 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 maintain their equipment plus routinely evaluate its functionality and safety. They are additionally expected to keep detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Monroe ME medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
X-Ray Technician Degree Options
The basic requirement for attending a radiology tech school is to have earned 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 typical among technicians, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as four years to complete and is more comprehensive in nature. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that are acceptable also. Something to consider is that Monroe ME radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can typically be fulfilled by taking part in an externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Maine or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
Radiographer Certification and Licensing
After you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, based on the state where you will be employed you might have to be licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their requirements differ so contact your state. At present, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but many offer other alternatives for testing as well. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is voluntary. Having said that, many Monroe ME employers favor hiring radiology techs that have earned certification so it might enhance your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.
Online Radiology Technician Colleges
As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree colleges. So while you can still obtain your degree online, a large amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Practical training is usually provided in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online portion of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Monroe ME home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree often find that the online approach to learning is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are generally more affordable than traditional alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials can be reduced also. But just confirm that the online program you enroll in 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 best option for you.
Points to Ask Radiologic Tech Schools
As soon as you have chosen the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of locating and assessing Monroe ME x-ray tech colleges. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or travel to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be important. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a material factor as well. But along with location and cost, what more should you consider when reviewing schools? Well, you need to ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these essential details before you make your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you must ask the schools you are looking at.
Are the Radiology Technician Schools Accredited? Most radiology technician schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial 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 a detailed examination of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Monroe ME health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level positions.
Are Internships Provided? Inquire if the Maine radiology technician colleges you are evaluating have associations with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent manner to obtain practical experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist students and graduates form professional relationships in the Monroe ME healthcare community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Monroe ME healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will have to be within driving distance of their Monroe ME residence. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to consider 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 often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Monroe ME colleges you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program also.
Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the x-ray tech program you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Monroe ME, make certain 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 enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.
Why Did You Desire to Become a Radiology Technician?
When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers typically ask radiographer prospects is "What made you decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being a radiology technician, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you should organize a number of approaches about how you want to answer them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.Enroll in the Right X-Ray Tech Program near Monroe ME
Picking the appropriate x-ray technician degree program is an important first step toward initiating a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the greater part of the day and move and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having social skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best available patient care. As has been covered in this report, there are a number of questions that you should ask each program you are reviewing prior to making your final decision. This is equally true whether you decide on an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can examine and compare each program so you can narrow down your options and make your final choice. And with the proper education and your commitment to be successful, you can realize your goal to practice as a x-ray tech in Monroe ME.
Some Background on Monroe Maine
Marilyn Monroe
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Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson; June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962) was an American actress, model and singer. Famous for playing comic "blonde bombshell" characters, she became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and was emblematic of the era's attitudes towards sexuality. Although she was a top-billed actress for only a decade, her films grossed $200 million by the time of her unexpected death in 1962.[1] More than half a century later, she continues to be considered a major popular culture icon.[2]
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Monroe spent most of her childhood in foster homes and an orphanage and married at the age of sixteen. While working in a radioplane factory in 1944 as part of the war effort, she was introduced to a photographer from the First Motion Picture Unit and began a successful pin-up modeling career. The work led to short-lived film contracts with Twentieth Century-Fox (1946–1947) and Columbia Pictures (1948). After a series of minor film roles, she signed a new contract with Fox in 1951. Over the next two years, she became a popular actress and had roles in several comedies, including As Young as You Feel and Monkey Business, and in the dramas Clash by Night and Don't Bother to Knock. Monroe faced a scandal when it was revealed that she had posed for nude photos before becoming a star, but rather than damaging her career, the story resulted in increased interest in her films.
By 1953, Monroe was one of the most marketable Hollywood stars; she had leading roles in the noir film Niagara, which focused on her sex appeal, and the comedies Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire, which established her star image as a "dumb blonde". Although she played a significant role in the creation and management of her public image throughout her career, she was disappointed at being typecast and underpaid by the studio. She was briefly suspended in early 1954 for refusing a film project, but returned to star in one of the biggest box office successes of her career, The Seven Year Itch (1955).
When the studio was still reluctant to change her contract, Monroe founded a film production company in late 1954; she named it Marilyn Monroe Productions (MMP). She dedicated 1955 to building her company and began studying method acting at the Actors Studio. In late 1955, Fox awarded her a new contract, which gave her more control and a larger salary. Her subsequent roles included a critically acclaimed performance in Bus Stop (1956) and the first independent production of MMP, The Prince and the Showgirl (1957). Monroe won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for her work in Some Like It Hot (1959), which was a critical and commercial success. Her last completed film was the drama The Misfits (1961).
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