Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Pinehurst NC 28370 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Find a Radiology Technician Program near Pinehurst North Carolina

Pinehurst NC x-ray tech internship program Best wishes regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Pinehurst NC in order to become a radiologic technician. But now that you have made a decision to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you set about choosing the ideal school and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a qualified practitioner? And considering that the majority of states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you may need training to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you research each of the colleges you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Most potential students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and frequently settle on the lowest cost. But while expense and location need to be taken into consideration, there are additional important qualifications also. For instance, you should find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are reviewing are presented later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a radiology technician does and the credentials and training choices that are offered.

Radiology Technician Job Summary

There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, they all have the identical primary job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many choose to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, such as mammography. They can work in Pinehurst NC hospitals, clinics, private 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 have to maintain their equipment and also routinely analyze its performance and safety. They are also required to keep detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Pinehurst NC medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Available

x-ray machine in Pinehurst NC The primary requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the choice 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 finish based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as four years to finish and is more expansive in nature. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be acceptable as well. Something to bear in mind is that Pinehurst NC radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It can typically be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which many colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any certification or licensing mandates in North Carolina or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Licensing and Certification

After you have graduated from an X-Ray tech program, based on the state where you will be practicing you may have to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so contact your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many approve additional options for testing also. A number of states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, if not it is optional. However, numerous Pinehurst NC employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved 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 X-Ray Technician Classes

attending x-ray tech school online in Pinehurst 28370 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree schools. So although you can still obtain your degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be completed 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. However the online segment of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Pinehurst NC home. Students who keep working while earning their degree typically discover that the online style of education is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online schools are often less costly than on-campus options. Along with reduced tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting can be reduced as well. But just confirm that the online college you pick is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online school may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Radiographer 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 evaluating Pinehurst NC x-ray technician schools. You will also need to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be important. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be a material factor as well. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you look at when evaluating colleges? Well, you should check out if the schools 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 reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Tech Colleges Accredited? A large number of xray technician schools have acquired some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still crucial 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). Schools earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through an extensive evaluation of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in securing financial aid and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Pinehurst NC health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the North Carolina radiology tech schools you are evaluating have relationships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to get practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help graduates and students form professional relationships in the Pinehurst NC health care community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Pinehurst NC healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Pinehurst NC home. Students who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose 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 often charge a higher tuition to 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 back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Pinehurst NC colleges you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the x-ray tech program you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Pinehurst NC, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Want to Become an Xray Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask radiographer applicants is "What drove you to choose radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must ready several approaches about how you want to answer them. Because there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Best Radiology Tech College near Pinehurst NC

Choosing the ideal radiology technician degree program is a crucial first step toward starting a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must 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. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having social skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best possible patient care. As has been addressed in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each program you are reviewing prior to making your final selection. This is just as true whether you participate in an online program or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can analyze and compare each school so you can narrow down your choices and make your final choice. And with the appropriate education and your motivation to be successful, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiographer in Pinehurst NC.

Some Background on Pinehurst North Carolina

Pinehurst, North Carolina

Pinehurst is a village in Moore County, North Carolina, United States.[7] As of the 2010 census, the city population was 13,124.[1] It is home of the historic golf resort, Pinehurst Resort. A large portion of the central village, including the resort complexes, is a National Historic Landmark District, designated in 1996 for its landscape design (by Frederick Law Olmsted) and its significance in the history of golf in the United States.[8]

In 1895, James Walker Tufts purchased 500 acres (2.0 km2), and eventually purchased an additional 5,500 acres (22 km2), of land for approximately $1.25 per acre in the North Carolina Sandhills, with the vision of building a "health resort for people of modest means".[9] Tufts retained Frederick Law Olmsted to design the village, which features curving lanes and a pictureseque central green.[8]

Originally dubbed Tuftstown during development, Tuftstown became the village of Pinehurst, and home of the Pinehurst Resort. In 1890, the village became a municipality.[10]

The first golf course at Pinehurst Resort was laid out in 1897-1898. The first championship held at Pinehurst was the United North and South Amateur Championship of 1901. The best known course, Pinehurst No. 2, was designed by Donald Ross and completed in 1907. Pinehurst Race Track was established in 1915. The resort now has nine golf courses, three hotels, a spa, and extensive sports and leisure facilities.

In 1999, National Public Radio reported that many local business owners in Pinehurst were upset because the Pinehurst Resort was using lawsuits to prevent local businesses from using the term "Pinehurst" in the names of their businesses.[11] The village council sought a written guarantee from the Pinehurst Resort that it would not force any business in the village to remove the name "Pinehurst" from its name unless the business is a direct competitor. The request came a week later in a local newspaper. The village also sued the resort over control of the name shared between the resort and village.[12]