How to Find an X-Ray Tech Program near Lipscomb Texas
Congratulations on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Lipscomb TX so you can become a radiology technician. But now that you have made a decision to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, exactly how do you go about picking the ideal college and program so that you will receive the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And since the majority of states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you might need training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you research each of the schools you are considering in order to compare each program. Many students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and frequently gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location should be considered, there are other important qualifiers also. For example, you should ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. 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 x-ray tech does and the credentials and training choices that are available.
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X-Ray Tech Occupation Summary
There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, they all have the same fundamental job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many elect to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They can practice in Lipscomb TX clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech might 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 and frequently analyze its performance and safety. They are also expected to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Lipscomb TX health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
X-Ray Technician Degrees
The standard requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech college 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 common among techs, generally takes 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to complete and is more comprehensive in scope. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be appropriate also. Something to keep in mind is that Lipscomb TX radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may typically be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which many colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification requirements in Texas or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification
When you have graduated from an x-ray technician school, based on the state where you will be employed you may need to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their requirements vary so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but a number approve additional alternatives for testing as well. A number of states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, if not it is voluntary. Having said that, many Lipscomb TX employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it might enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every 2 years, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.
Online Radiology Tech Colleges
As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree colleges. So even though you can still obtain your degree online, a significant portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Practical training is usually carried out in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online segment of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Lipscomb TX residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree often find that the online style of education is much more practical with their active schedules. Plus online programs are often less expensive than traditional alternatives. Along with reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be reduced also. But just be sure that the online school you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online degree may be the ideal choice for you.
Topics to Ask Radiologic Tech Programs
As soon as you have chosen the type of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of searching for and assessing Lipscomb TX x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to determine if you want to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be relevant. The price of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be a determining factor as well. But along with cost and location, what else should you look at when evaluating schools? Well, you should check out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you find out some of these important details prior to making your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the programs you are considering.
Are the X-Ray Tech Colleges Accredited? Most radiology tech schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to verify 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive examination of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations 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 assist in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Lipscomb TX employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level positions.
Are Internships Provided? Inquire if the Texas xray tech schools you are reviewing have partnerships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific manner to receive hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist graduates and students develop professional connections in the Lipscomb TX health care community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting 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 substantial networks and great relationships with Lipscomb TX healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Lipscomb TX home. Those who have decided 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 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 need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Lipscomb TX colleges you are researching 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 final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program as well.
Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the x-ray tech college you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Lipscomb TX, make sure 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 enroll in. Also, ask 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 Be an X-Ray Tech?
When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask radiographer prospects is "What made you choose radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize several strategies about how you would like to address them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.Select the Ideal Radiology Tech School near Lipscomb TX
Enrolling in the ideal radiology tech school is a critical first step toward initiating a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs typically stand for the majority of the day and position and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and furnish the best available care to patients. As has been addressed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each school you are reviewing before making your final decision. This is just as true whether you opt for an online program or drive to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each school so you can focus your choices before making your final choice. And with the proper training and your dedication to be successful, you can achieve your goal to practice as a x-ray tech in Lipscomb TX.
Some Background on Lipscomb Texas
Lipscomb County, Texas
Lipscomb County (/ˈlɪpskəm/ LIP-skəm) is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,302.[1] Its county seat is Lipscomb.[2] The county was created in 1876 and organized in 1887.[3] It is named for Judge Abner Smith Lipscomb, a secretary of state of the Republic of Texas.[4]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 932 square miles (2,410 km2), of which 932 square miles (2,410 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (0.01%) is water.[5]
As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 3,057 people, 1,205 households, and 845 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile (1/km²). There were 1,541 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 82.86% White, 0.52% Black or African American, 1.37% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 12.99% from other races, and 2.19% from two or more races. 20.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 1,205 households out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.10% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the county, the population was spread out with 27.60% under the age of 18, 5.90% from 18 to 24, 24.70% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 18.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.
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