How to Choose a Radiologic Tech School near Troy Ohio

Congrats regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Troy OH so you can learn to be a radiology technician. But now that you have chosen to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, just how do you go about selecting the right college and program so that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And because the majority of states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you might require preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you investigate each of the colleges you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. A number of students begin by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and often settle on the lowest cost. But while location and cost should be taken into account, there are additional important qualifiers as well. For instance, you should ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the schools you are reviewing are provided later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic tech does and the degrees and education choices that are available.

X-Ray Tech Career Summary

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, they all have the same major job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some choose to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They can practice in Troy OH hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech might 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 routinely assess its performance and safety. They are also required to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Troy OH health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degrees

The basic 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 typical among techs, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finish and is more extensive in scope. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be appropriate as well. Something to consider is that Troy OH radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It can often be satisfied by taking part in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Ohio or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an Radiologist school, depending on the state where you will be working you might need to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their criteria vary so contact your state. Presently, all states that do require licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but several offer other alternatives for testing also. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is optional. However, many Troy OH employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it may increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every other year, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Technician Programs

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 colleges. So although you can still obtain your online degree, a considerable amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is usually provided in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online section of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Troy OH residence. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree typically find that the online style of education is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are frequently less costly than traditional options. Along with reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But just confirm that the online school you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online school may be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges

After you have chosen the kind of degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of finding and evaluating Troy OH x-ray tech schools. You will also have to decide if you prefer to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the school will be relevant. The cost of tuition and secondary expenditures will be a determining factor also. But along with cost and location, what else should you factor in when comparing colleges? Well, you should ask if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details prior to making your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you need to ask the programs you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Tech Programs Accredited? Most radiology technician colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still important to confirm 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone 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 agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Troy OH health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level openings.

Are Internships Offered? Ask if the Ohio radiology tech colleges you are assessing have associations with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to receive practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Troy OH medical community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the radiographer schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Troy OH healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Troy OH home. Students who have chosen to attend online classes 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 decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually 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 far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Troy OH colleges you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the x-ray tech  program you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Troy OH, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Radiologic Technologist?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask radiographer prospects is "What drove you to select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being an X-Ray tech, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must ready a number of approaches about how you want to address them. Considering there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Best Radiology Tech School near Troy OH

Enrolling in the right radiology tech school is an important first step toward initiating a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs often stand for the majority of the working day and position and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety requirements developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best available patient care. As we have addressed in this report, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are looking at before making your final decision. This is equally true whether you opt for an online program or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each school so you can focus your options and make your final choice. And with the proper training and your dedication to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Troy OH.

Some Background on Troy Ohio

 

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