Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Spring Lake MI 49456

How to Select a Radiology Tech Degree Program near Spring Lake Michigan

Spring Lake MI x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Spring Lake MI in order to learn to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have made a decision to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you tackle selecting the right college and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that the majority of states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you might require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you investigate each of the schools you are considering in order to compare each program. Most prospective students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and frequently settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location must be considered, there are additional significant qualifiers as well. For example, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are evaluating are provided later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a x-ray tech does and the degrees and education choices that are offered.

X-Ray Technician Occupation Summary

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, each has the identical primary job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some opt to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They may work in Spring Lake MI hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist 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 maintain their equipment plus regularly evaluate its functionality and safety. They are also required to keep detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Spring Lake MI medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degree Options

x-ray machine in Spring Lake MI The basic prerequisite for attending a radiology tech program is to have received a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, usually requires 18 months to two years to finish based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finish and is more expansive in nature. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that are appropriate also. One thing to bear in mind is that Spring Lake MI radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may often be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which many schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing requirements in Michigan or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiographer Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, based on the state where you will be practicing you might have to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so contact your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but a number approve additional options for testing as well. A number of states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is voluntary. However, many Spring Lake MI 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 rigorous exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technologist Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Spring Lake 49456 As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree colleges. So although you can still earn your online degree, a substantial amount of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is typically 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 privacy of your Spring Lake MI home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree usually discover that the online approach to learning is far more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online schools are generally more affordable than traditional alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be lessened as well. But just be sure that the online college you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits 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 ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Radiologic Tech Programs

As soon as you have chosen the kind of degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of finding and assessing Spring Lake MI x-ray technician schools. You will also need to decide if you want to attend classes online or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be important. The price of tuition and supplementary expenses will be a determining factor as well. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you look at when evaluating colleges? Well, you should find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these essential details before you make your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you must ask the colleges you are considering.

Are the Radiology Technician Schools Accredited? A large number of xray tech colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still imperative to make sure that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a rigorous review of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining 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 many Spring Lake MI employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the Michigan radiology technician colleges you are evaluating have associations with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great means to get practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Spring Lake MI health care community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the radiographer schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Spring Lake MI healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Spring Lake MI home. Students who have opted to attend classes online obviously 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 keep 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 have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Spring Lake MI schools you are considering 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 final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the radiographer college you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Spring Lake MI, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Radiologic Technologist?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask radiographer prospects is "What made you decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare several strategies about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right X-Ray Technician Program near Spring Lake MI

Choosing the right x-ray tech college is an important first step toward starting a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs typically stand for the greater part of the workday 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 observe the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best possible patient care. As has been addressed in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each school you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection. This is equally true whether you participate in an online school or drive to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each school so you can narrow down your choices and make your final choice. And with the appropriate training and your commitment to be successful, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Spring Lake MI.

Some Background on Spring Lake Michigan

Spring Lake, Michigan

Spring Lake is a village in Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,323 at the 2010 census. The village is located within Spring Lake Township.

In 1837, Captain Benjamin Hopkins purchased land in the area and built a mill. The place became known as "Hopkins Mill". In 1849, Thomas W. White and S.C. Hopkins recorded a plat with the name "Mill Point". A post office was established with that name in May 1851. In May 1867, the post office was renamed "Spring Lake", which was also the name of a station on the Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee Railway (later part of the Grand Trunk Western Railroad). The Village of Spring Lake was incorporated in 1869.[6] The post office continues to operate, with ZIP code 49456.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.74 square miles (4.51 km2), of which 1.18 square miles (3.06 km2) is land and 0.56 square miles (1.45 km2) is water.[1]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 2,323 people, 1,067 households, and 635 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,968.6 inhabitants per square mile (760.1/km2). There were 1,301 housing units at an average density of 1,102.5 per square mile (425.7/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 96.7% White, 0.2% African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 1,067 households of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.5% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.84.