How to Pick a Radiologic Technician College in Ohio
Congratulations regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school in Ohio in order to train to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have made a decision to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you go about selecting the ideal school and program so that you will obtain the proper training to become a qualified professional? And since most states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you may require training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the colleges you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. Many potential students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and often gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while location and cost need to be taken into account, there are additional important qualifications also. For example, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are evaluating are presented later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic technician does and the degrees and training options that are available.
X-Ray Technician Work Description
There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the same major job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some choose to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They may work in Ohio hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist may utilize include:
- Traditional and specialized X-Rays
- Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Sonography or ultrasound
- Fluoroscopy
Radiographers have to take care of their equipment and frequently evaluate its functionality and safety. They are also expected to retain detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Ohio health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
Radiology Tech Degrees Offered
The standard prerequisite for attending an x-ray tech college is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, usually takes 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to four years to finish and is more comprehensive in scope. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be appropriate as well. Something to consider is that Ohio radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It can typically be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which many 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 licensing or certification requirements in Ohio or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing
Once you have graduated from an Radiologist program, depending on the state where you will be practicing you may need to be licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their criteria differ so contact your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but many offer other options for testing as well. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. However, numerous Ohio employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could increase 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 comprehensive exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.
Online Radiology Tech Colleges
As a part of any degree program, Ohio 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 earn your online degree, a significant amount of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is usually carried out in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online section of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Ohio home. Students who continue working while earning their degree typically discover that the online style of education is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are generally less expensive than on-campus options. Along with reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be lessened as well. But just be sure that the online program you pick is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online degree may be the right option for you.
Topics to Ask X Ray Tech Colleges
Once you have selected the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can begin the process of locating and evaluating Ohio x-ray tech schools. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or drive to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the school will be important. The price of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be a material factor as well. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you factor in when evaluating schools? Well, you need to ask if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these essential details prior to making your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the colleges you are considering.
Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? The majority of xray tech colleges have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to verify that the school and program 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 evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the program is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Ohio health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level jobs.
Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the Ohio radiology tech programs you are evaluating have associations with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to receive practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can help students and graduates develop professional connections in the Ohio medical community and assist with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the radiographer schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Ohio healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they select will have to be within travelling distance of their Ohio residence. Students who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college 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 frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Ohio colleges you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program as well.
Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the x-ray tech school you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Ohio, make sure that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Select the Ideal Radiology Tech College in Ohio
Enrolling in the appropriate radiology tech college is an important first step toward launching a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs typically stand for the greater part of the day and position and in some cases lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with 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. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best available patient care. As we have addressed in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each program you are looking at before making your ultimate decision. This is equally true whether you opt for an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each school so you can focus your choices and make your decision. And with the proper training and your dedication to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a radiographer in Ohio.