How to Select an X-Ray Technician Program in New Mexico
Congratulations on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school in New Mexico in order to learn to be a radiology technician. But now that you have made a decision to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, exactly how do you go about picking the right school and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a qualified professional? And considering that most states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, based on where you subsequently work you may require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s imperative that you investigate each of the schools you are considering in order to evaluate each program. A number of potential students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and frequently settle on the most affordable cost. But while expense and location should be taken into account, there are additional critical qualifiers as well. For example, you should ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the schools you are considering are presented later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic technician does and the credentials and training options that are available.
Radiology Technician Work Description
There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, they all have the identical major job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some choose to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, such as mammography. They can work in New Mexico clinics, hospitals, family 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 must care for their equipment plus routinely evaluate its performance and safety. They are additionally required to keep complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As New Mexico medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
X-Ray Tech Degrees Available
The standard prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among techs, usually takes 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finish and is more extensive in scope. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be appropriate as well. One thing to bear in mind is that New Mexico radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can frequently be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which many schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification mandates in New Mexico or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing
Once you have graduated from an Radiologist school, based on the state where you will be practicing you may need to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their prerequisites differ so contact your state. At present, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but a number approve other options for testing also. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. However, numerous New Mexico employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could enhance your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.
Online Radiology Technologist Degrees
As a component of every degree program, New Mexico x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree programs. So although you can still obtain your degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is typically conducted in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online section of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your New Mexico home. Students who keep working while earning their degree usually find that the online style of learning is far more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online programs are frequently less expensive than on-campus alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials can be reduced also. But just make certain that the online program you choose is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online school may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Radiographer Colleges
When you have decided on the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of finding and assessing New Mexico x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to determine if you want to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be relevant. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be an important variable also. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you consider when comparing colleges? Well, you should find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these crucial details prior to making your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the colleges you are assessing.
Are the Radiology Tech Schools Accredited? The majority of xray technician colleges have obtained some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still important to confirm that the program and school 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). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed review of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of New Mexico employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry-level positions.
Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the New Mexico radiology technician programs you are reviewing have partnerships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a great manner to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help students and graduates develop professional relationships in the New Mexico health care community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with New Mexico healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their New Mexico residence. Those 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. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have 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 live outside of their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the New Mexico colleges you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program as well.
Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the x-ray tech college you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in New Mexico, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.
Select the Right Radiology Technician College in New Mexico
Enrolling in the right radiology tech degree program is a critical first step toward starting a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs often stand for the majority of the workday and move and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best available care to patients. As has been addressed in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are assessing before making your final decision. This is similarly true whether you opt for an online school or drive to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can examine and compare each program so you can narrow down your options and make your decision. And with the appropriate education and your motivation to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to work as a radiographer in New Mexico.