Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Exton PA 19341 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Find a Radiologic Technician Degree Program near Exton Pennsylvania

Exton PA x-ray tech internship program Best wishes regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Exton PA so you can train to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have chosen to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you tackle selecting the ideal school and program so that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And because most states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you might need preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you assess each of the colleges you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. A number of prospective students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and usually gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while location and cost must be taken into consideration, there are additional critical qualifiers as well. For instance, you need to ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the schools you are reviewing are presented later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a x-ray technician does and the degrees and training options that are available.

Radiology Tech Career Summary

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has 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 administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some choose to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They can work in Exton PA clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech might utilize 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 plus routinely evaluate its functionality and safety. They are additionally required to retain detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Exton PA health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Available

x-ray machine in Exton PA The basic requirement for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, usually requires 18 months to two years to complete depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as 4 years to complete and is more extensive in nature. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that may be appropriate also. One thing to keep in mind is that Exton PA radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by participating in an externship program which a large number of colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Pennsylvania or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, based on the state where you will be practicing you might need to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their prerequisites differ so contact your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many accept additional options for testing also. Some states also require certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. However, numerous Exton PA employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it may increase 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 may be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Tech Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Exton 19341 As a component of any 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 programs. So while you can still earn your online degree, a substantial portion of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is usually performed in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online section of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Exton PA home. Students who keep working while earning their degree usually discover that the online style of learning is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online schools are generally cheaper than traditional alternatives. Along with reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be decreased also. But just confirm that the online college you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then online classes may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Radiographer Colleges

As soon as you have selected the type of degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of finding and evaluating Exton PA x-ray technician schools. You will also need to determine if you want to attend classes online or travel to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be important. The cost of tuition and secondary expenses will be a material factor also. But along with cost and location, what more should you consider when evaluating schools? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these important details before you make your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Schools Accredited? The majority of xray tech colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still important to confirm that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive examination of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Exton PA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out if the Pennsylvania radiology technician colleges you are assessing have partnerships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific means to receive practical training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Exton PA health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are interviewing have job assistance 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 Exton PA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Exton PA home. Students who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local 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 even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Exton PA schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student 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 speak with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program also.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the radiographer school you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Exton PA, make sure that they are offered. 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, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

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

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask radiographer applicants is "What made you select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready some strategies about how you want to address them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Radiology Technician School near Exton PA

Enrolling in the right x-ray tech college is an important first step toward beginning a satisfying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs typically stand for the majority of the working day and move and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety requirements designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and deliver the best available patient care. As we have addressed in this report, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at before making your ultimate selection. This is equally true whether you opt for an online program or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can analyze and compare each program so you can narrow down your choices before making your decision. And with the appropriate training and your motivation to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Exton PA.

Some Background on Exton Pennsylvania

Exton, Pennsylvania

Exton is a census-designated place (CDP) in West Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. Its population was 4,842 at the 2010 census. The Exton Square Mall and Main Street at Exton are both located within Exton along with several other shopping centers, making Exton the major shopping district in Chester County.

Exton lies at the intersection of U.S. Route 30 (formerly the Lancaster Road, and later the Lincoln Highway) and Pennsylvania Route 100 (Pottstown Pike). Beginning in the late 18th century, the Lancaster Road became a major transportation route between Philadelphia and the west, while what is now Route 100 was a regional north-south route to Pottstown. A theory exists that Exton was named as the "X" on the map, denoting this intersection, though more likely the village was named after one of the several Extons in the United Kingdom.

In the late 1940s, Exton became home to the Newcomen Society of the United States. The campus of the learned society was built overlooking farmland on Newcomen Road, and featured offices, a printing shop, library and museum, guest houses, a chapel and a belltower with a carillon. The Newcomen Society (since dissolved) sold the property in the late 1990s, but its campus remains an Exton landmark serving as the headquarters of another business.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.3 km2), all of it land.

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 4,267 people, 2,053 households, and 1,096 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,341.6 people per square mile (518.1/km²). There were 2,128 housing units at an average density of 669.1/sq mi (258.4/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.07% White, 4.05% African American, 0.14% Native American, 6.05% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.54% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.87% of the population.