How to Find a Radiology Tech School near Concord North Carolina

Congratulations regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Concord NC so you can train to be a radiology technician. But now that you have chosen to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you set about choosing the right college and program so that you will receive the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And since the majority of states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you might need preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you research each of the colleges you are considering so that you can compare each program. Many prospective students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and usually gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location should be considered, there are other significant qualifiers as well. For instance, you must ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the schools you are examining are presented later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a x-ray technician does and the credentials and education options that are available.

X-Ray Technician Job Description

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, each has the identical primary job description, 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 the treatment of cancer. Some elect to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They can practice in Concord NC clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist might 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 frequently evaluate its performance and safety. They are also expected to keep in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Concord NC health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Available

The primary requirement for attending an x-ray tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, normally requires 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finish and is more comprehensive in scope. Most 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 Concord NC radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may often be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of 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 North Carolina or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an Radiologist college, based on the state where you will be practicing you may have to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary so check with your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but a number offer other options for testing also. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, many Concord NC employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it could enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every 2 years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technologist Schools

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 no different for online degree programs. So even though you can still obtain your degree online, a considerable portion of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is often provided in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online section of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Concord NC home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree usually find that the online approach to learning is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online colleges are frequently less expensive than traditional alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting may be lessened also. But just make sure that the online college you pick is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then online classes may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Radiology Tech Schools

After you have decided on the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of looking for and evaluating Concord NC x-ray tech colleges. You will also have to determine if you want to attend classes online or drive to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the school will be critical. The price of tuition and secondary expenses will be a determining variable as well. But along with location and cost, what more should you look at when comparing schools? Well, you need to check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details prior to making your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are considering.

Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? A large number of radiology technician colleges have acquired some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still important to make sure that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly respected 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 detailed assessment of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial aid and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Concord NC health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level openings.

Are Internships Provided? Ask if the North Carolina radiology technician colleges you are assessing have associations with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to get practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist students and graduates establish professional connections in the Concord NC medical community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely 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 interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Concord NC healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Concord NC residence. Those who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps 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 normally charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Concord NC colleges you are researching 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 final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the x-ray tech  college you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Concord NC, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become an Xray Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask radiographer candidates is "What made you select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for being an Xray technician, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize some approaches about how you would like to address them. Given that there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Pick the Ideal Radiology Technician College near Concord NC

Selecting the best x-ray technician school is an important first step toward starting a satisfying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the greater part of the day and move and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and furnish the best possible care to patients. As has been discussed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection. This is similarly true whether you enroll in an online school or drive to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each program so you can focus your options and make your decision. And with the right education and your motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiographer in Concord NC.

Some Background on Concord North Carolina

 

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