Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near South Portland ME 04106

How to Pick an Xray Tech College near South Portland Maine

South Portland ME x-ray tech internship program Best wishes on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near South Portland ME in order to learn to be a radiology technician. And now that you have chosen to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you go about choosing the ideal college and program to ensure that you will obtain the proper training to become a qualified professional? And since the majority of states do mandate that x-ray technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s imperative that you research each of the schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Most students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and usually settle on the lowest cost. But while expense and location must be taken into account, there are other important qualifiers also. For instance, you must ask if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the schools you are examining are presented later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray technician does and the credentials and education options that are offered.

X-Ray Tech Career Summary

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, they all have the same major job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some opt to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They may practice in South Portland ME hospitals, clinics, private 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 routinely assess its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to keep detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As South Portland ME medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Tech Degrees Available

x-ray machine in South Portland ME The basic requirement for attending an x-ray tech college is to have received 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 prevalent among techs, usually requires 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to four years to complete and is more extensive in nature. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be appropriate as well. One thing to consider is that South Portland ME radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which many colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Maine or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an Radiologist school, based on the state where you will be working you might have to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their criteria vary so check with your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but several accept other options for testing also. Several states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. However, numerous South Portland ME employers favor hiring radiology techs that have earned certification so it may increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every other year, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technician Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in South Portland 04106 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree schools. So while you can still earn your online degree, a substantial portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an internship off-campus. Practical training is typically performed in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online section of the training can be attended in the privacy of your South Portland ME residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree typically discover that the online style of learning is much more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online schools are often less costly than traditional options. In addition to lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But just be sure 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 degree may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges

As soon as you have selected the type of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of searching for and assessing South Portland ME x-ray tech schools. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or drive to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be relevant. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenses will be a determining factor as well. But along with location and cost, what else should you look at when evaluating colleges? Well, you should ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these important details before you make your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are assessing.

Are the X-Ray Tech Programs Accredited? The majority of radiology tech colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to verify that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through an extensive evaluation of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. 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 quality education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of South Portland ME health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out if the Maine radiology technician colleges you are interested in have partnerships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to get practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist graduates and students establish professional relationships in the South Portland ME medical community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with South Portland ME healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their South Portland ME home. Students who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically 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 Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the South Portland ME schools you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the x-ray tech college you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in South Portland 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 need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Radiology Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's advantageous to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask radiographer candidates is "What made you pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Right Radiology Tech College near South Portland ME

Enrolling in the best x-ray technician school is a crucial first step toward launching a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the majority of the workday and position and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology 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 furnish the best available patient care. As has been discussed in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are considering prior to making your final selection. This is similarly 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 college so you can focus your choices before making your decision. And with the proper training and your motivation to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a radiographer in South Portland ME.

Some Background on South Portland Maine

South Portland, Maine

South Portland is a city in Cumberland County, Maine, United States, and is the fourth-largest city in the state, incorporated in 1898. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 25,002. Known for its working waterfront, South Portland is situated on Portland Harbor and overlooks the skyline of Portland and the islands of Casco Bay. Due to South Portland's close proximity to air, marine, rail, and highway transportation options, the city has become a center for retail and industry in the region.

Despite the name, South Portland was never part of the city of Portland, but rather part of Cape Elizabeth. It broke off in 1895. However, both Cape Elizabeth and Portland were once part of Falmouth. Cape Elizabeth, and by default, South Portland, broke away from Falmouth in 1765. South Portland is a principal city of the Portland – South Portland – Biddeford metropolitan area.

South Portland was first settled in 1630, and it grew to become a small residential community with many farms. The village was raided by natives in Father Rale's War (1724). In 1858, the City of Portland purchased land near the Fore River for the Forest City Cemetery. On March 15, 1895, it was incorporated as a town after it broke away from Cape Elizabeth, based on a disagreement on a future source of public drinking water. Three years later South Portland became a city, destined to receive its drinking water, like Portland, from Sebago Lake, while Cape Elizabeth used wells or other local sources.

On South Portland's waterfront is Fort Preble, which is a military fort established in 1808 to protect Portland Harbor. It was in operation during several American conflicts, including the United States Civil War, World War I, and World War II. Near Fort Preble is Spring Point Ledge Light, which was constructed by the federal government in 1897 to mark a dangerous rock ledge.

In 1940, the Todd-Bath Iron Shipbuilding Corp (later called the “East Yard”) was established to build cargo ships for Britain. When the United States became involved with World War II, the shipyard expanded to include the South Portland Shipbuilding Corp. (aka the “West Yard”), that later combined with the Todd-Bath yard to become the New England Shipbuilding Corporation. These shipyards built 236 of the 440 foot (134 m) long Liberty ships, more than 10 percent of all the Liberty ships constructed during the war years. At its peak, the shipyard employed some 30,000 people, including thousands of women, who took over the jobs vacated by men going into the service. The shipyard gradually ceased operations after the war ended in 1945. Remnants of the shipyards are visible, and there is a memorial to the shipyard and the workers at Bug Light Park. The park is also home to Portland Breakwater Lighthouse, commonly referred to as "Bug Light."