Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Stillwater OK 74074 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Find a Radiologic Tech Degree Program near Stillwater Oklahoma

Stillwater OK x-ray tech internship program Best wishes on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Stillwater OK so you can learn to be a radiology technologist. And now that you have decided to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you undertake picking the right college and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And considering that most states do require that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you may require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you research each of the colleges you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. Most potential students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and typically gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while expense and location need to be considered, there are other significant qualifiers also. For example, you need to ask if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are considering are provided later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiology technician does and the credentials and education choices that are available.

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Radiology Tech Job Description

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, they all have the identical fundamental job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some choose to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, such as mammography. They can work in Stillwater OK hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist 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 care for their equipment plus regularly assess its functionality and safety. They are also required to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Stillwater OK health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Tech Degree Options

x-ray machine in Stillwater OK The basic prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, usually takes 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as four years to complete and is more extensive in scope. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that may be acceptable also. One thing to consider is that Stillwater OK radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may frequently be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which many colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. 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 Technician Licensing and Certification

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, depending on the state where you will be employed you may need to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their prerequisites vary so contact your state. At present, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but a number approve additional options for testing also. Several states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. However, many Stillwater OK employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Tech Classes

attending x-ray tech school online in Stillwater 74074 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree schools. So even though you can still earn your degree online, a significant portion of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off-campus. Practical training is typically carried out in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online segment of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your Stillwater OK residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree often find that the online style of learning is far more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online colleges are frequently less expensive than traditional alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials may be decreased also. But just make sure that the online college you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then online classes may be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Radiographer Schools

When you have chosen the kind of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of searching for and assessing Stillwater OK x-ray technician schools. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the college will be relevant. The price of tuition and secondary expenses will be a determining variable also. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you factor in when evaluating schools? Well, you need to ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these crucial details before you make your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are looking at.

Are the Radiology Technician Schools Accredited? The majority of xray technician colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still crucial to make sure that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a rigorous assessment of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Stillwater OK health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Provided? Find out if the Oklahoma radiology technician schools you are evaluating have partnerships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great way to get practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist students and graduates develop professional connections in the Stillwater OK medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the radiographer programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Stillwater OK 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 choose will need to be within driving distance of their Stillwater OK home. Students who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Stillwater OK schools you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the radiographer school you finally choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Stillwater OK, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Radiology Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask radiographer candidates is "What drove you to select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must ready several approaches about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Radiology Tech College near Stillwater OK

Picking the best radiology technician school is an important first step toward beginning a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer should be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs typically stand for the majority of the workday and move and at times lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety requirements designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing social skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. As has been addressed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are assessing prior to making your ultimate selection. This is similarly true whether you enroll in an online program or drive 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 appropriate training and your dedication to succeed, you can realize your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Stillwater OK.

Some Background on Stillwater Oklahoma

Stillwater, Oklahoma

Stillwater is a city in northeast Oklahoma at the intersection of US-177 and State Highway 51. It is the county seat of Payne County, Oklahoma, United States. As of 2012, the city population was estimated to be 46,560, making it the tenth largest city in Oklahoma. Stillwater is the principal city of the Stillwater Micropolitan Statistical Area which had a population of 78,399 according to the 2012 census estimate. Stillwater was part of the first Oklahoma Land Run held on April 22, 1889 when the Unassigned Lands were opened for settlement and became the core of the new Oklahoma Territory. The city charter was adopted on August 24, 1889.[5] Stillwater is home to the main campus of Oklahoma State University as well as Northern Oklahoma College - Stillwater, Meridian Technology Center, and the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.

Stillwater has a diverse economy with a foundation in aerospace, agribusiness, biotechnology, optoelectronics, printing and publishing, and software and standard manufacturing. The city operates under a council-manager government system. The city's largest employer is Oklahoma State University. It was one of the 100 Best Places to Live in 2010, according to CNN Money Magazine.[6]

Stillwater is located in the area popularly known as "Tornado Alley." It has a humid subtropical climate and the highest recorded temperature was 115 °F on August 11, 1936 (46 °C).[7]

The city is home to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum and the NCAA Division I Oklahoma State Cowboys and Cowgirls.

The north-central region of Oklahoma became part of the United States with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. In 1832, author and traveler Washington Irving provided the first recorded description of the area around Stillwater in his book A Tour on the Prairies. He wrote of “a glorious prairie spreading out beneath the golden beams of an autumnal sun. The deep and frequent traces of buffalo, showed it to be a one of their favorite grazing grounds.”[8]