How to Choose a Radiologic Technician College in Texas
Best wishes on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school in Texas in order to become a radiology technician. But now that you have decided to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, just how do you undertake choosing the ideal school and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And because the majority of states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, based on where you subsequently practice you may need training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s essential that you research each of the schools you are looking at so that you can compare each program. Most students start by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and frequently settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location must be taken into account, there are additional important qualifications as well. For instance, you should find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are evaluating are presented later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiology technician does and the degrees and training choices that are available.
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X-Ray Technician Occupation Summary
There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, each has the identical principal job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some elect to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for example mammography. They can practice in Texas hospitals, clinics, family 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 take care of their equipment plus routinely assess its performance and safety. They are additionally required to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Texas medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
Radiology Technician Degrees Offered
The primary prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, normally takes 18 months to two years to complete depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as four years to finish and is more comprehensive in scope. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be appropriate also. One thing to keep in mind is that Texas radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may frequently be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their region. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Texas or the state you will be working as applicable.
X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification
After you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, based on the state where you will be practicing you might need to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their requirements vary so contact your state. Currently, all states that do require licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but a number approve additional alternatives for testing as well. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. However, many Texas employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it could increase your career options to earn certification. 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 other year, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.
Online X-Ray Tech Classes
As a component of every degree program, Texas x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree colleges. So while you can still obtain your degree online, a large portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Practical training is often provided in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online section of the training can be attended in the comfort of your Texas residence. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree often find that the online approach to education is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online programs are frequently cheaper than on-campus alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But just confirm that the online college you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then online classes may be the right option for you.
Subjects to Ask Radiology Tech Schools
When you have decided on the type of degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of finding and assessing Texas x-ray tech schools. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or travel to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be critical. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenses will be a material variable as well. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you consider when reviewing colleges? Well, you need to check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these crucial details before you make your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you must ask the programs you are considering.
Are the Radiology Tech Colleges Accredited? Most radiology technician schools have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to confirm that the program and school 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). Schools earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a rigorous evaluation 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 education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized 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 obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Texas employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level jobs.
Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the Texas xray technician schools you are assessing have partnerships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to get hands on training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist students and graduates develop professional connections in the Texas health care community and assist with job placement.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the radiographer schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Texas healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Texas residence. Those who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose 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 commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Texas schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program as well.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the radiographer school you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Texas, make sure that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify 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 may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.
Enroll in the Ideal X-Ray Technician Program in Texas
Picking the best radiology tech school is a crucial first step toward launching a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the majority of the workday and position and at times lift the patient to get the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having social skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best possible patient care. As we have discussed in this report, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each school you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection. This is similarly true whether you decide on an online school or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each college so you can focus your choices before making your final choice. And with the proper education and your dedication to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Texas.