How to Select an X-Ray Technician Degree Program in Mississippi
Best wishes regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school in Mississippi so you can learn to be a radiology technician. But now that you have chosen to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you set about selecting the right 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 techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you might need preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you research each of the colleges you are considering in order to evaluate each program. Most prospective students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and often settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location need to be taken into consideration, there are other significant qualifications also. For example, you must ask if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the schools you are examining are provided later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a x-ray technician does and the degrees and training choices that are offered.
Radiology Tech Career Description
There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the same major 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 treating cancer. Many opt to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for example mammography. They may work in Mississippi hospitals, clinics, family 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 must take care of their equipment and also regularly evaluate its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to retain in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Mississippi medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
Radiology Tech Degree Options
The basic prerequisite for enrolling in 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 takes 18 months to two years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to complete and is more extensive in scope. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be acceptable as well. One thing to bear in mind is that Mississippi radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which many colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Mississippi or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
Radiographer Licensing and Certification
When you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, depending on the state where you will be employed you may need to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites differ so contact your state. Currently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but a number approve additional options for testing also. Several states also require certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, many Mississippi employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.
Online X-Ray Tech Degrees
As a component of any degree program, Mississippi x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree programs. So while you can still obtain your online degree, a considerable amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Practical training is usually performed in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online portion of the training can be attended in the comfort of your Mississippi home. Students who continue working while earning their degree usually find that the online style of education is much more practical with their active schedules. Plus online schools are generally less costly than conventional alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials may be lessened also. But just confirm that the online school you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online school may be the ideal choice for you.
Subjects to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges
After you have decided on the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of searching for and assessing Mississippi x-ray tech schools. You will also need to decide if you want to attend classes online or drive to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the school will be important. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be a material variable as well. But along with cost and location, what more should you factor in when comparing schools? Well, you need to ask if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these crucial details before you make your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you must ask the schools you are looking at.
Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? A large number of radiology tech colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still imperative to verify that the program and school 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 a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on 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 ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Mississippi employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level openings.
Are Internships Offered? Find out if the Mississippi xray technician programs you are reviewing have associations with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific manner to obtain practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can help graduates and students establish professional connections in the Mississippi medical community and assist with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Mississippi healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Mississippi home. Those who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Mississippi colleges you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology tech program also.
Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the radiographer school you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Mississippi, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.
Choose the Ideal X-Ray Technician School in Mississippi
Choosing the best x-ray technician degree program is an important first step toward beginning a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs regularly stand for the greater part of the working day and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Candidates 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 techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and deliver the best possible patient care. As has been addressed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision. This is just as true whether you participate in an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each college so you can focus your choices before making your final choice. And with the proper education and your dedication to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to work as a radiology tech in Mississippi.