Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Arlington TN 38002 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Choose an Xray Technician Degree Program near Arlington Tennessee

Arlington TN x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Arlington TN in order to train to be a radiology technician. But now that you have decided to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, exactly how do you undertake selecting the right college and program so that you will obtain the proper training to become a qualified professional? And since most states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you might need training to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you assess each of the schools you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. A number of prospective students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and typically gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while location and cost should be taken into account, there are additional important qualifications also. For example, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are evaluating are presented later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a radiology tech does and the degrees and training options that are offered.

X-Ray Technician Career Description

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the identical primary job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some elect to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for instance mammography. They can work in Arlington TN hospitals, clinics, private 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 care for their equipment and also frequently assess its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Arlington TN medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees

x-ray machine in Arlington TN The standard prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have received 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 program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as 4 years to complete and is more comprehensive in scope. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be appropriate also. Something to keep in mind is that Arlington TN radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may frequently be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which many schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Tennessee or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing

Once you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, depending on the state where you will be practicing you might need to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their criteria vary so get in touch with your state. At present, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but several approve additional options for testing also. Several states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. However, numerous Arlington TN employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may enhance your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technician Schools

attending x-ray tech school online in Arlington 38002 As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree schools. So even though you can still obtain your degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is usually carried out in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online segment of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Arlington TN home. Students who continue working while earning their degree typically discover that the online approach to education is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are generally less costly than traditional alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting can be reduced also. But just be sure that the online college you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online degree may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask X Ray Tech Programs

As soon as you have selected the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can start the process of looking for and evaluating Arlington TN x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be important. The price of tuition and secondary expenses will be a determining factor also. But along with cost and location, what more should you consider when comparing colleges? Well, you need to find out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details prior to making your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you must ask the schools you are reviewing.

Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of xray tech colleges have obtained some form 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 regarded accrediting organizations 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 assessment of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Arlington TN employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Offered? Find out if the Tennessee radiology technician programs you are assessing have partnerships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to obtain hands on training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist students and graduates form professional connections in the Arlington TN medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the radiographer schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Arlington TN healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Arlington TN residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Arlington TN schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student 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 a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program also.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the x-ray tech college you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Arlington TN, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Radiology Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask radiographer applicants is "What drove you to decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for being a radiology technician, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to address them. Since there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Best X-Ray Technician College near Arlington TN

Choosing the best x-ray tech college is a crucial first step toward launching a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical shape. Radiology techs often stand for the greater part of the workday and position and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to observe the safety guidelines developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and furnish the best available patient care. As has been addressed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are reviewing before making your final selection. This is similarly true whether you enroll in an online program or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each school so you can narrow down your choices before making your final choice. And with the proper education and your dedication to be successful, you can achieve your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Arlington TN.

Some Background on Arlington Tennessee

Arlington, Tennessee

Arlington is a town in Shelby County, Tennessee. The population was 2,569 at the 2000 census and 11,517 at the 2010 census,[4] for a gain of 348.3% during the decade. The 2010 US Census shows that Arlington is the 2nd fastest growing community in the State of Tennessee.[5] It is one of seven municipalities in Shelby County.

Arlington has been called Shelby County’s best-kept secret,[6] as it has remained a small quiet rural town for two centuries.

Settlers came to the area in the 1830s, and many of their descendants still live in the town. Originally known as Haysville,[7] the town was named after the original landowner, Samuel Jackson Hays, a nephew of President Andrew Jackson. The area began to grow with the development of the Memphis and Ohio Railroad and the creation of Withe Depot within its boundaries. By 1856, about 200 people called Haysville home. The outbreak of yellow fever in Memphis in 1878 contributed to the stagnant population as the town fathers quarantined the area, forbidding outsiders from entering the town. The town was incorporated as Haysville in 1878.[7]

In 1883 the town's name was changed to Arlington due to the post office being unable to use the name Haysville. In 1900 the town was incorporated again. Captain Henry Pittman, who lived in Haysville, had visited Washington, D.C. and Arlington National Cemetery and was inspired to call the town Arlington.[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 20.4 square miles (53 km2), of which 0.05% is water.[8]