How to Find a Radiology Technician Program in Oregon
Best wishes regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school in Oregon in order to learn to be a radiologic technician. But now that you have made a decision to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you set about picking the right college and program so that you will get the proper training to become a qualified practitioner? And since most states do require that radiology techs become licensed, based on where you subsequently practice you might require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you research each of the colleges you are looking at in order to compare each program. Many potential students begin by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and usually settle on the most affordable cost. But while location and cost must be considered, there are other significant qualifications as well. For instance, you need to ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the schools you are reviewing are provided later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiology tech does and the credentials and training options that are offered.
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Radiology Technician Work Summary
There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, they all have the identical fundamental job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many elect to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They may work in Oregon hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech may utilize include:
- Traditional and specialized X-Rays
- Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Sonography or ultrasound
- Fluoroscopy
Radiographers must take care of their equipment and also regularly analyze its functionality and safety. They are also expected to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Oregon health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
X-Ray Tech Degree Options
The primary requirement for attending a radiology tech program is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, usually requires 18 months to two years to finish depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to finish and is more extensive in scope. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be appropriate as well. Something to consider is that Oregon radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may often be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Oregon or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification
After you have graduated from an X-Ray tech school, depending on the state where you will be practicing you might need to be licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary so contact 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 accept additional alternatives for testing also. Several states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. However, numerous Oregon employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may enhance 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 exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.
Online X-Ray Technician Degrees
As a part of every degree program, Oregon x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree colleges. So although you can still earn your online degree, a significant amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is often carried out in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online segment of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your Oregon residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree usually discover that the online style of education is far more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online colleges are frequently cheaper than traditional options. Along with lower tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be lessened also. But just make certain that the online college you pick is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online school may be the best choice for you.
Questions to Ask Radiographer Programs
Once you have decided on the kind of degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of looking for and evaluating Oregon x-ray tech schools. You will also need to determine if you want to attend online classes or drive to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be important. The cost of tuition and secondary expenditures will be a material factor also. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you factor in when reviewing colleges? 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 crucial details prior to making your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you need to ask the programs you are considering.
Are the X-Ray Technician Programs Accredited? Most xray tech schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to confirm that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a rigorous review of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Oregon employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level positions.
Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the Oregon radiology technician programs you are assessing have partnerships with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a great way to obtain practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Oregon medical community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Oregon healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Oregon home. Students who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Oregon schools you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program as well.
Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the radiographer school you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Oregon, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Pick the Right Radiology Technician Program in Oregon
Picking the right x-ray tech college is an important first step toward launching a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer should be in good physical shape. Radiology techs frequently stand for the majority of the workday and move and in some cases lift the patient to get the proper image. Candidates must also show a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and furnish the best possible care to patients. As has been discussed in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are reviewing before making your final decision. This is similarly true whether you opt for an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can examine and compare each school so you can focus your options and make your final choice. And with the appropriate education and your motivation to be successful, you can achieve your goal to work as a radiographer in Oregon.