Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Newfield ME 04056 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Pick an X-Ray Technician Degree Program near Newfield Maine

Newfield ME x-ray tech internship program Best wishes on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Newfield ME so you can become a radiologic technician. And now that you have decided to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you set about picking the ideal college and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled professional? And since the majority of states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you may need preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you research each of the schools you are looking at so that you can 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 most affordable cost. But while location and cost must be taken into account, there are other important qualifiers as well. For instance, you should ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are considering are presented later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a x-ray technician does and the credentials and training choices that are available.

X-Ray Technician Job Description

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, each has the identical primary job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some elect to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for example mammography. They may practice in Newfield ME hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist might 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 maintain their equipment and regularly evaluate its functionality and safety. They are additionally expected to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Newfield ME medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Tech Degrees

x-ray machine in Newfield ME The primary requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as four years to complete and is more extensive in nature. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that may be acceptable as well. Something to bear in mind is that Newfield ME radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may frequently be satisfied by taking part in an internship or externship program which many colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Maine or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an Radiologist college, based on the state where you will be employed you may need to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so check with your state. Currently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many approve other alternatives for testing also. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Newfield ME employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Tech Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Newfield 04056 As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree schools. So while you can still obtain your online degree, a significant amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an internship off-campus. Clinical training is often performed in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online section of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Newfield ME home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree typically find that the online style of learning is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online colleges are frequently cheaper than traditional options. Along with lower tuition, costs for commuting and study materials can be decreased as well. But just make sure that the online program you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online degree may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Radiographer Colleges

Once you have decided on the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can begin the process of finding and evaluating Newfield ME x-ray tech colleges. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and secondary expenditures will be an important factor also. But along with location and cost, what else should you consider when reviewing colleges? Well, you should find out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details before you make your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are assessing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Schools Accredited? The majority of radiology tech schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still important to confirm 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 a detailed evaluation of their instructors and educational materials. If the program is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Newfield ME employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the Maine radiology tech programs you are evaluating have relationships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific means to obtain practical experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Newfield ME healthcare community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the radiographer programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Newfield ME healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Newfield ME residence. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often 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.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Newfield ME colleges you are reviewing what the average teacher to student 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 an opportunity to converse with some of the instructors and students 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 offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Newfield ME, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Radiology Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers often ask radiographer candidates is "What made you pick radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for being a radiology technician, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare some strategies about how you want to answer them. Since 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, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Pick the Ideal Radiology Tech School near Newfield ME

Choosing the best radiology tech degree program is an important first step toward starting a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs frequently stand for the majority of the working day and move and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with the safety requirements developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best available patient care. As we have addressed in this report, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are reviewing prior to 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 right questions you can assess and compare each program so you can narrow down your options and make your final choice. And with the appropriate training and your commitment to succeed, you can realize your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Newfield ME.

Some Background on Newfield Maine

Newfield, Maine

Newfield is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,522 at the 2010 census. The town is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford metropolitan statistical area.

Newfield is home to a museum called Willowbrook Museum Village.

This was part of the large tract sold on November 28, 1668 by Newichawannock Indian Chief Sunday (or Wesumbe) to Francis Small, a Kittery trader. The price was two large Indian blankets, two gallons of rum, two pounds of gunpowder, four pounds of musket balls and twenty strings of beads.[4] The township was surveyed and first settled as Washington Plantation in 1778. A number of settlers had been soldiers in the Revolutionary War. It was incorporated as Newfield on February 25, 1794, and by 1859, the population was 1,418.[4]

The Little Ossipee River runs through Newfield village and once provided water power to operate two gristmills, two lumber mills, a barrel stave mill, a shook mill, a planing mill and a carding mill. West Newfield had a sawmill, gristmill and stave mill. There was an attempt in the community to mine silver and iron, but it was not profitable. By 1880, the population was 995.[5] Newfield would be heavily damaged by the Great Fires of 1947.

Don King of Topsfield, Massachusetts bought an old farm at Newfield in 1965, marking the beginning of what would become Willowbrook Museum Village, a re-created 19th-century village. Other properties and historic buildings were added, together with a collection of early farm implements, tools, carriages and sleighs. The museum is now a tourist attraction.[6]