How to Pick an X-Ray Technician Degree Program near Saxonburg Pennsylvania

Congratulations on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Saxonburg PA in order to become a radiologic technologist. And now that you have decided to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you tackle selecting the right college and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a qualified professional? And considering that most states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you may need training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s imperative that you research each of the schools you are considering so that you can compare each program. Most students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and usually settle on the most affordable cost. But while expense and location need to be taken into consideration, there are other critical qualifiers also. For example, you need to find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are evaluating are presented later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology tech does and the credentials and training options that are offered.

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X-Ray Technician Work Description

There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, they all have the same fundamental job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some choose to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They can practice in Saxonburg PA hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician may utilize 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 and also regularly evaluate its functionality and safety. They are also required to keep complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Saxonburg PA health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Tech Degrees Available

The basic requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to finish and is more expansive in nature. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are acceptable as well. One thing to consider is that Saxonburg PA radiographer programs 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 area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Pennsylvania or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, based on the state where you will be employed you might have to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but many provide other options for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. Having said that, many Saxonburg PA employers favor hiring radiology techs that have earned certification so it may increase your career options to earn certification. 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 two years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Tech Programs

As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree colleges. 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 often provided in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Saxonburg PA home. Students who keep working while earning their degree often find that the online approach to education is much more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are often less costly than conventional alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting may be reduced also. But just make certain that the online program you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online school may be the best option for you.

Topics to Ask Radiologic Tech Programs

Once you have decided on the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of searching for and evaluating Saxonburg PA x-ray tech schools. You will also have to determine if you want to attend classes online or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be relevant. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a material factor as well. But along with location and cost, what else should you look at when reviewing schools? Well, you need to ask if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor 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 colleges you are considering.

Are the Radiology Tech Programs Accredited? Most radiology tech schools have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still important to confirm that the school and program 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). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed review of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting organizations 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 acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Saxonburg PA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Provided? Ask if the Pennsylvania xray tech colleges you are assessing have associations with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to obtain hands on training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist graduates and students form professional connections in the Saxonburg PA health care community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Saxonburg PA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Saxonburg PA home. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have 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 type of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Saxonburg PA colleges 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 final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program also.

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

Why Did You Decide to Be a Radiologic Technologist?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask radiographer applicants is "What made you decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming a radiology technician, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize several ideas about how you would like to address them. Since there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Select the Right Radiology Technician College near Saxonburg PA

Selecting the right radiology technician school is an important first step toward launching a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs typically stand for the greater part of the working day and position and sometimes lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. As we have discussed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are looking at before making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you decide on an online school or commute to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can analyze and compare each school so you can focus your options before making your final choice. And with the proper education and your motivation to be successful, you can achieve your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Saxonburg PA.

Some Background on Saxonburg Pennsylvania

 

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