Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Jenks OK 74037 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Choose a Radiology Tech Degree Program near Jenks Oklahoma

Jenks OK x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Jenks OK in order to learn to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have decided to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, just how do you set about choosing the ideal school and program to ensure that you will get the appropriate training to become a skilled professional? And since most states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you may require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the colleges you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Many prospective students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and typically gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while cost and location must be taken into account, there are other significant qualifiers as well. For example, you should find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are considering are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic tech does and the credentials and education choices that are offered.

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Radiology Tech Occupation Summary

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the same major job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some elect to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, such as mammography. They may practice in Jenks OK hospitals, clinics, 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 must care for their equipment and also regularly assess its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Jenks OK medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees

x-ray machine in Jenks OK The primary requirement for attending an x-ray tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, usually takes 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to complete and is more extensive in nature. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are appropriate as well. Something to consider is that Jenks OK radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can often be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which many colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing mandates in Oklahoma or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing

Once you have graduated from an Radiologist college, depending on the state where you will be practicing you might need to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites differ so get in touch 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 several approve other alternatives for testing also. A number of states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Jenks OK employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every 2 years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technician Colleges

attending x-ray tech school online in Jenks 74037 As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree colleges. So while you can still earn your online degree, a large amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is often carried out in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online portion of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Jenks OK home. Students who keep working while earning their degree often find that the online style of learning is far more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online colleges are generally less costly than conventional alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials may be lessened also. But just make certain that the online college you select 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 degree may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask X Ray Tech Programs

As soon as you have chosen the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of searching for and evaluating Jenks OK x-ray tech schools. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be important. The price of tuition and secondary expenses will be an important factor as well. But along with location and cost, what more should you consider when evaluating schools? Well, you should ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these essential details prior to making your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Schools Accredited? The majority of xray tech colleges have acquired some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still important to make sure that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed examination of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Jenks OK employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level openings.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the Oklahoma xray tech programs you are assessing have associations with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to get practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help students and graduates form professional relationships in the Jenks OK health care community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Jenks OK healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Jenks OK home. Those who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Jenks OK schools you are researching 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 a chance to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the radiographer program you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Jenks OK, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be an X-Ray Tech?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you could be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask radiographer applicants is "What made you pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must organize a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Radiology Technician College near Jenks OK

Picking the ideal radiology technician school is an important first step toward launching a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs often stand for the majority of the workday and move and in some cases lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray 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 productive work environment and furnish the best available care to patients. As we have discussed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are assessing before making your final selection. This is equally true whether you participate in an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each college so you can focus your choices before making your decision. And with the appropriate education and your commitment to succeed, you can achieve your goal to practice as a radiographer in Jenks OK.

Some Background on Jenks Oklahoma

Jenks, Oklahoma

Jenks is a city in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, United States, and a suburb of Tulsa, in the northeastern part of the state. It is situated between the Arkansas River and U.S. Route 75. Jenks is one of the fastest growing cities in Oklahoma. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 9,557, but by 2010, the population was 16,924, an increase of 77.1 percent.[3]

Jenks began in 1904 as a community site established by the Midland Valley Railroad between Tulsa and Muskogee, alongside the Arkansas River. Though the river could only be utilized by shallow draft steamboats while the water level was up, these two transportation routes proved vital to Jenks' early development.

Jenks was named after William Henry Jenks the owner and director of the Midland Valley Railroad. According to a 1957 article in the Tulsa Tribune, an agent for the townsite company was told by the railroad home office to name a town for the director.[4]

The town was officially platted on July 15, 1905. Also in 1905, a major petroleum discovery was made, further bolstering the economy of the area. The "Glenn Pool" oil well and subsequent oil claims brought many business people to the general area. In 1906, many oil depots (also known as "tank farms") were constructed in Jenks. By the time of statehood, Jenks had 465 inhabitants.

As oil production waned, tank farms were dismantled, and agriculture became once again a major contributor to the Jenks economy. The economy of the area was further improved in the 1920s when many Bulgarian families immigrated to the area to farm. These immigrants established many vegetable farms.