Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Westbrook ME 04092 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Find an X-Ray Tech Degree Program near Westbrook Maine

Westbrook ME x-ray tech internship program Best wishes on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Westbrook ME so you can learn to be a radiology technician. But now that you have made a decision to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you tackle choosing the right college and program to ensure that you will obtain the proper training to become a qualified practitioner? And considering that most states do require that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you may require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you assess each of the schools you are considering so that you can compare each program. Many students begin by searching 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 cost and location should be taken into account, there are other significant qualifiers also. For example, you need to ask whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you must ask the schools you are reviewing are presented later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic technician does and the credentials and education choices that are offered.

X-Ray Technician Career Description

There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, they all have the identical fundamental 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 the treatment of cancer. Many choose to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, such as mammography. They may practice in Westbrook ME hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician might 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 and routinely evaluate its performance and safety. They are also required to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Westbrook ME medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degrees

x-ray machine in Westbrook ME The primary requirement for attending a radiology tech school is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, generally requires 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as four years to complete and is more expansive in nature. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are appropriate also. Something to bear in mind is that Westbrook ME radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may frequently be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which many schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing mandates in Maine or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an X-Ray tech program, based on the state where you will be working you may need to become licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites differ so check with your state. At present, all states that do require licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but several accept other options for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is voluntary. However, numerous Westbrook ME employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program as well as 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 examination.

Online X-Ray Technologist Schools

attending x-ray tech school online in Westbrook 04092 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 programs. So while you can still obtain your online degree, a considerable portion of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is usually provided in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online portion of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your Westbrook ME home. Students who continue working while earning their degree often discover that the online approach to learning is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online programs are generally less expensive than on-campus alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be reduced also. But just be sure that the online program you pick is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online degree may be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Radiologic Tech Programs

After you have decided on the type of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of finding and assessing Westbrook ME x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be critical. The price of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be an important variable as well. But along with cost and location, what more should you look at when comparing colleges? Well, you need to find out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these essential details before you make your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Tech Programs Accredited? Most radiology technician colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still imperative to confirm 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). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Westbrook ME health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask if the Maine xray technician programs you are reviewing have partnerships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent manner to get hands on training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help students and graduates form professional relationships in the Westbrook ME medical community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Westbrook ME healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Westbrook 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 area internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Westbrook ME colleges you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program also.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the radiographer program you ultimately pick can furnish 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 Westbrook 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 courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Radiology Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers often ask radiographer prospects is "What made you pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must organize a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal X-Ray Tech College near Westbrook ME

Enrolling in the appropriate radiology tech college is an important first step toward beginning a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs regularly stand for the greater part of the day and move and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to observe the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. As we have discussed in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are assessing before making your final selection. This is similarly true whether you enroll in an online program or commute to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can analyze and compare each school so you can focus your choices and make your final choice. And with the appropriate education and your commitment to succeed, you can reach your goal to practice as a x-ray tech in Westbrook ME.

Some Background on Westbrook Maine

Westbrook, Maine

Westbrook is a city in Cumberland County, Maine, United States and a suburb of Portland. The population was 17,494 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area.

Originally known as Saccarappa after Saccarappa Falls on the Presumpscot River, it was a part of Falmouth until February 14, 1814, when it was set off and incorporated as Stroudwater. It soon changed its name to Westbrook after Colonel Thomas Westbrook, a commander during Father Rale's War and King's mast agent who was an early settler and mill operator.[4] In 1871, Saccarappa amicably split into two municipalities; the current Westbrook and Deering, which was then annexed by Portland in 1898.[5] In 1891, Westbrook was incorporated as a city.[6]

Saccarappa Falls and Congin Falls provided water power for early mills within the city. In 1829, a sawmill was built at the former which made the mill town noted for its lumber. Other industries followed, manufacturing grain bags, machinery and water wheels, carriage and harness, boots, shoes and moccasins, tinware, leather board, bricks, wooden boxes, box shook, meal and flour. The Portland Manufacturing Company built a cotton textile mill at Saccarappa Falls for making "sheetings, stripes and ducks." A paper mill was built at Cumberland Mills, once an Indian planting ground known as Ammoncongin. By 1859, it produced 1,000 tons of paper annually. In 1867, the factory's name would change to the S. D. Warren Paper Mill.[7]

The Oxford & Cumberland Canal opened in 1832, connecting Portland to Harrison by way of Westbrook and Sebago Lake. It was the primary commercial shipping route for goods until 1871, when it was rendered obsolete by the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad.[4] Remnants of the canal can still be seen throughout the city, including Beaver Pond, along Stroudwater Street near the Maine Turnpike overpass, and in the woods between Westbrook High School and Oxford & Cumberland Canal Elementary School.

Old Warren House c. 1912