Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Stony Point NC 28678

How to Pick a Radiology Tech Degree Program near Stony Point North Carolina

Stony Point NC x-ray tech internship program Best wishes on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Stony Point NC so you can become a radiologic technologist. But now that you have chosen to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you go about picking the ideal school and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a qualified professional? And because the majority of states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, based on where you subsequently practice you may require preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you assess each of the schools you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. Many students begin by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and often settle on the lowest cost. But while cost and location must be taken into consideration, there are other important qualifications as well. For example, you need to ask whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are examining are presented later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology technician does and the degrees and education options that are offered.

X-Ray Technician Career Description

There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, each has the identical fundamental job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some opt to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They may practice in Stony Point NC 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 have to maintain their equipment plus regularly evaluate its functionality and safety. They are additionally required to keep detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Stony Point NC medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Tech Degree Options

x-ray machine in Stony Point NC The basic requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech school 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 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 more time at as much as four years to finish and is more extensive in nature. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be acceptable also. One thing to consider is that Stony Point NC radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It can frequently be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing requirements in North Carolina or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiographer Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an Radiologist college, based on the state where you will be practicing you might need to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria vary so check with your state. Currently, all states that do require licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many offer additional alternatives for testing as well. Several states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, if not it is optional. However, numerous Stony Point NC employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Tech Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Stony Point 28678 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree colleges. 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 carried out in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Stony Point NC home. Students who continue working while earning their degree typically find that the online approach to learning is much more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are generally more affordable than traditional alternatives. Along with reduced tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials may be lessened also. But just make certain that the online school you choose is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online school may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Radiologic Tech Colleges

When you have decided on the type of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of locating and evaluating Stony Point NC x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and secondary expenses will be a material factor as well. But along with cost and location, what else should you consider when evaluating schools? Well, you need to check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these crucial details prior to making your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are assessing.

Are the X-Ray Tech Schools Accredited? A large number of xray tech schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative 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 earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through an extensive assessment of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Stony Point NC employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Find out if the North Carolina xray technician schools you are reviewing have relationships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help graduates and students develop professional connections in the Stony Point NC health care community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the x-ray tech 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 sizable networks and good relationships with Stony Point NC healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Stony Point NC 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 concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Stony Point NC colleges you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the radiographer school you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Stony Point NC, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Radiology Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask radiographer candidates is "What made you select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming a radiology technician, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to radiography, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should ready a number of strategies about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Pick the Right X-Ray Technician School near Stony Point NC

Enrolling in the ideal radiology tech school is a critical first step toward launching a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs often stand for the greater part of the working day and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines 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 pleasant work environment and deliver the best available patient care. As has been covered in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at before making your final selection. This is equally true whether you decide on an online school or travel 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 final choice. And with the appropriate training and your commitment to succeed, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiographer in Stony Point NC.

Some Background on Stony Point North Carolina

Battle of Stony Point

Coordinates: 41°14′28″N 73°58′26″W / 41.241°N 73.974°W / 41.241; -73.974

The Battle of Stony Point took place on July 16, 1779, during the American Revolutionary War. In a well planned and executed nighttime attack, a highly trained select group of George Washington's Continental Army troops under the command of Brigadier General "Mad Anthony" Wayne defeated British troops in quick and daring assault on their outpost in Stony Point, New York, approximately 30 miles north of New York City.

The British suffered heavy losses in a battle that served as an important victory in terms of morale for the Continental Army. While the fort was ordered evacuated quickly after the battle by General Washington, this key crossing site was used later in the war by units of the Continental Army to cross the Hudson River on their way to victory over the British.

Following the surrender of General John Burgoyne after the Battles of Saratoga in October 1777 and the subsequent entry of France into the war as an American ally, British strategy in dealing with the rebellious Americans was forced to change. In the northern states, their strategy was reduced to raids against targets of economic and military importance, and unsuccessful attempts to bring Major General George Washington's Continental Army into a decisive confrontation. Washington deployed his army in strong positions around the principal British base at New York City, and refused to be drawn out of them.

British military plans for 1779 were large in ambition, but were ultimately hampered, in the opinion of their North American commander in chief, Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton, by shortages of manpower, and delays in the arrival of manpower that was promised for the campaign. Clinton sought to force Washington to weaken the Continental Army camp at Middlebrook in northern New Jersey, after which he would march in force out of New York and capture it.[2] This, Clinton believed, would threaten Washington's supply lines, drawing him out of the highlands on the Hudson River into more favorable terrain for a general engagement.[3]