How to Find an X-Ray Tech College near Thorndale Pennsylvania

Congratulations regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Thorndale PA so you can become a radiology technician. But now that you have chosen to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, exactly how do you tackle choosing the ideal school and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a qualified practitioner? And because the majority of states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you might need preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s essential that you research each of the schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Many prospective students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and often gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location need to be considered, there are other important qualifications also. For instance, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are considering are provided later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic tech does and the credentials and education options that are offered.

Radiology Tech Job Summary

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, each has the identical principal job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might 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 may practice in Thorndale PA clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist might utilize include:

• Traditional and specialized X-Rays
• Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Sonography or ultrasound
• Fluoroscopy

Radiographers have to maintain their equipment and frequently analyze its functionality and safety. They are also required to retain complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Thorndale PA medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degree Options

The basic requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech program is to have received a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, generally takes 18 months to two years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to four years to complete and is more extensive in scope. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that may be appropriate also. One thing to consider is that Thorndale PA radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may typically be satisfied by taking part in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification requirements in Pennsylvania or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiographer Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an X-Ray tech school, depending on the state where you will be working you might have to be licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary so contact your state. Presently, all states that do require licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but many offer additional options for testing also. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is optional. Having said that, many Thorndale PA employers favor hiring radiology techs that have earned certification so it might improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every 2 years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Technician Schools

As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree schools. So although you can still obtain your online degree, a large portion of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is usually provided in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online section of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your Thorndale PA home. Students who continue working while earning their degree often find that the online style of learning is far more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are often less expensive than on-campus options. Along with lower tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials can be lessened also. But just make certain that the online program you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online degree may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Radiology Tech Programs

Once you have decided on the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can begin the process of searching for and evaluating Thorndale PA x-ray tech schools. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or travel to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the school will be relevant. The price of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be a material factor also. But along with location and cost, what more should you consider when comparing schools? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these important details before you make your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are looking at.

Are the Radiology Technician Schools Accredited? The majority of xray tech schools have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to confirm that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly respected 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 undergone a rigorous assessment of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Thorndale PA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out if the Pennsylvania xray tech programs you are interested in have partnerships with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great manner to obtain practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Thorndale PA health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Thorndale PA healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Thorndale PA residence. Students who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Thorndale PA colleges you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the x-ray tech  college you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Thorndale PA, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Radiologic Technologist?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask radiographer prospects is "What compelled you to decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you must ready a number of approaches about how you want to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Best Radiology Technician Program near Thorndale PA

Picking the right radiology technician school is a critical first step toward launching a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs regularly stand for the majority of the day and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having social skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best available patient care. As has been addressed in this report, there are several questions that you should ask each school you are assessing prior to making your final decision. This is just as true whether you decide on an online program or travel to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each program so you can narrow down your choices before making your decision. And with the proper training and your motivation to be successful, you can achieve your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Thorndale PA.

Some Background on Thorndale Pennsylvania

 

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