How to Select an X-Ray Tech Degree Program near Lenoir North Carolina

Congrats regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Lenoir NC so you can become a radiology technician. But now that you have decided to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you go about picking the ideal school and program so that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And considering that the majority of states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you may require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you assess each of the colleges you are considering so that you can compare each program. Most prospective students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and typically gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location should be considered, there are additional critical qualifiers also. For instance, you should ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are reviewing are provided later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a radiology technician does and the credentials and education choices that are available.

X-Ray Technician Job Description

There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, they all have the identical primary job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some choose to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, such as mammography. They can work in Lenoir NC hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician 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 plus regularly assess its performance and safety. They are also expected to keep detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Lenoir NC health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Available

The primary requirement for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity 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 depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to complete and is more comprehensive in scope. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are appropriate as well. One thing to keep in mind is that Lenoir NC radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It can often be fulfilled by taking part 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 will need to abide by any licensing or certification requirements in North Carolina or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an Radiologist program, depending on the state where you will be practicing you might need to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so check with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but several accept other alternatives for testing as well. Some states also require certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is optional. However, many Lenoir NC employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it could improve 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 requires re-certification every other year, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technologist Colleges

As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree schools. So even though you can still obtain your online degree, a significant amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Practical training is typically provided in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online portion of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your Lenoir NC residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree often find that the online approach to education is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are frequently cheaper than on-campus options. Along with lower tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting can be lessened as well. But just be sure that the online college 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 online classes may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Radiologic Tech Colleges

Once you have decided on the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of looking for and assessing Lenoir NC x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or travel to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be critical. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be an important variable as well. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you look at when comparing colleges? Well, you need to check out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these important details prior to making your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are looking at.

Are the X-Ray Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of xray technician colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still important to confirm that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations 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 rigorous evaluation of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting organizations 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 help in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Lenoir NC health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level openings.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask if the North Carolina xray technician schools you are evaluating have associations with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to get practical experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist graduates and students develop professional connections in the Lenoir NC health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Lenoir NC healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Lenoir NC home. Those who have decided to attend online classes obviously 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 consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Lenoir NC colleges you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the x-ray tech  school you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Lenoir NC, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be an Xray Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask radiographer applicants is "What drove you to choose radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being an X-Ray tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must ready some ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Select the Ideal X-Ray Technician College near Lenoir NC

Choosing the right x-ray tech degree program is a critical first step toward beginning a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs often stand for the majority of the working day and move and sometimes lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing social skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and provide the best available patient care. As has been discussed in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are looking at before making your ultimate decision. This is similarly true whether you decide on an online program or travel to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can examine and compare each program so you can focus your choices and make your final choice. And with the appropriate education and your motivation to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiographer in Lenoir NC.

Some Background on Lenoir North Carolina

 

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