How to Select a Radiologic Technician Degree Program near Lafayette Tennessee

Congrats regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Lafayette TN so you can train to be a radiologic technician. But now that you have chosen to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you undertake selecting the ideal college and program so that you will receive the proper training to become a qualified practitioner? And because most states do require that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you might need preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you investigate each of the colleges you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. Most students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and typically settle on the lowest cost. But while expense and location must be taken into consideration, there are other significant qualifiers as well. For instance, you need to ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the schools you are reviewing are presented later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a x-ray technician does and the degrees and education choices that are offered.

Radiology Tech Career Description

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the same principal job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many choose to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They may practice in Lafayette TN hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech may work with 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 evaluate its performance and safety. They are also expected to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Lafayette TN medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degree Options

The basic requirement for attending an x-ray tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, normally requires 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to complete and is more expansive in nature. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are appropriate as well. One thing to bear in mind is that Lafayette TN radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may often be satisfied by taking part in an externship program which many colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their area. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Tennessee or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

Once you have graduated from an Radiologist program, depending on the state where you will be practicing you might have to be licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary so check with your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many offer other options for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Lafayette TN employers will only hire radiology techs that are certified so it might enhance your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every 2 years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technician Classes

As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools 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 obtain your degree online, a considerable amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is typically conducted in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online section of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your Lafayette TN home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree typically find that the online approach to learning is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are generally more affordable than on-campus alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting may be decreased as well. But just be sure that the online school you pick is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online degree may be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Radiology Tech Schools

Once you have decided on the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of looking for and assessing Lafayette TN x-ray technician schools. You will also have to decide if you want to attend online classes or drive to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a determining variable also. But along with location and cost, what else should you look at when reviewing colleges? Well, you need to check out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you find out some of these essential details prior to making your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you must ask the schools you are looking at.

Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? Most xray technician schools have obtained some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still crucial to make sure that the school and program are accredited. Among 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 gone through an extensive examination of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it may also obtain 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 quality education, accreditation will also help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Lafayette TN employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level positions.

Are Internships Provided? Inquire if the Tennessee xray technician colleges you are evaluating have partnerships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great means to obtain hands on training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help graduates and students establish professional connections in the Lafayette TN health care community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Lafayette TN healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Lafayette TN residence. Those who have decided to attend classes online 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 consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way 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 Lafayette TN schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the radiographer  college you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Lafayette TN, confirm 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 need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

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

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters often ask radiographer prospects is "What compelled you to choose radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare a number of approaches about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best X-Ray Tech School near Lafayette TN

Picking the ideal x-ray technician degree program is a crucial first step toward starting a satisfying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the majority of the workday and move and sometimes lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and furnish the best possible patient care. As we have addressed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection. This is similarly true whether you participate in an online school or drive to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each school so you can narrow down your options and make your final choice. And with the right training and your dedication to be successful, you can realize your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Lafayette TN.

Some Background on Lafayette Tennessee

 

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