Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Somerville TN 38068 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Choose a Radiology Technician School near Somerville Tennessee

Somerville TN x-ray tech internship program Congrats regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Somerville TN so you can learn to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have decided to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you go about selecting the right college and program to ensure that you will obtain the proper training to become a qualified practitioner? And considering that most states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you might need preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s imperative that you investigate each of the colleges you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. A number of students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and typically gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location must be taken into account, there are other important qualifications as well. For example, you should ask whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the schools you are considering are provided later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic technician does and the credentials and education options that are available.

X-Ray Technician Career Description

There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the same primary job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some elect to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They may practice in Somerville TN clinics, hospitals, family 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 have to take care of their equipment plus frequently analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally required to retain detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Somerville TN health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Tech Degree Options

x-ray machine in Somerville TN The primary requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, generally requires 18 months to two years to finish based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 4 years to finish and is more expansive in nature. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that may be acceptable also. One thing to consider is that Somerville TN radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It may often be satisfied by taking part in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any licensing or certification requirements in Tennessee or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, depending on the state where you will be employed you might have to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their criteria vary so check with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many accept other options for testing also. Several states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is optional. Having said that, numerous Somerville TN employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every 2 years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Technician Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Somerville 38068 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 no different for online degree colleges. So even though you can still earn your online degree, a substantial amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is often provided in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online segment of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Somerville TN residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree often discover that the online style of education is much more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are generally cheaper than traditional options. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be reduced also. But just be sure that the online program you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits 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 option for you.

Subjects to Ask Radiology Tech Schools

As soon as you have decided on the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of finding and evaluating Somerville TN x-ray tech schools. You will also need to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or drive to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be relevant. The price of tuition and secondary expenses will be a determining factor also. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you factor in when reviewing schools? Well, you should find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these essential details before you make your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you must ask the colleges you are reviewing.

Are the Radiology Tech Schools Accredited? Most xray technician colleges have earned some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to make sure that the school and program are accredited. Among 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 undergone a detailed review of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Somerville TN employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level positions.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the Tennessee radiology tech colleges you are interested in have associations with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great way to receive practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Somerville TN healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Somerville TN healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Somerville TN residence. Those who have chosen to attend classes online obviously 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 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 may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently 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 prefers to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Somerville TN colleges you are considering what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program also.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the radiographer program you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Somerville TN, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Choose to Become an Xray Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to consider questions you might be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers often ask radiographer prospects is "What drove you to pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you should prepare some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Pick the Right X-Ray Tech School near Somerville TN

Enrolling in the right radiology technician degree program is an important first step toward launching a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. Radiology techs regularly stand for the majority of the workday and move and in some cases lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and furnish the best available patient care. As has been addressed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at before making your ultimate decision. This is equally true whether you participate in an online school or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can examine and compare each program so you can narrow down your options before making your decision. And with the proper education and your motivation to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as a radiographer in Somerville TN.

Some Background on Somerville Tennessee

Somerville, Tennessee

Somerville is a town in Fayette County, Tennessee, United States. It is part of the Memphis metropolitan area. The population was 3,094 at the 2010 census,[4] up from 2,519 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Fayette County. [5]

The town was named to honor Lieutenant Robert Somerville, who was killed in 1814 during the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in central Alabama while serving under General Andrew Jackson.[6] Somerville was incorporated in 1836.

Somerville is located slightly northeast of the center of Fayette County at 35°14′15″N 89°21′30″W / 35.23750°N 89.35833°W / 35.23750; -89.35833 (35.237623, -89.358400).[7]U.S. Route 64 runs through the center of town as Fayette Street, leading northeast 13 miles (21 km) to Whiteville and west 9 miles (14 km) to Oakland. Downtown Memphis is 41 miles (66 km) to the west. Tennessee State Route 76 crosses US 64 at the center of town. North of US 64, it is the town's Main Street and leads 26 miles (42 km) to Brownsville. To the south it is South Street, leading 13 miles (21 km) to Moscow.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 11.4 square miles (30 km2), of which 11.2 square miles (29 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) (1.58%) is water. The Loosahatchie River, a west-flowing tributary of the Mississippi, runs past the northern end of the town.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 2,519 people, 1,006 households, and 618 families residing in the town. The population density was 225.4 people per square mile (87.1/km²). There were 1,070 housing units at an average density of 95.8 per square mile (37.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 59.94% White, 39.38% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.04% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.24% of the population.