How to Choose an Xray Tech College in Virginia
Best wishes on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school in Virginia so you can become a radiology technologist. But now that you have chosen to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you undertake choosing the right college and program to ensure that you will get the appropriate training to become a skilled professional? And considering that most states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you might require preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you assess each of the colleges you are considering so that you can evaluate each program. A number of potential students begin by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and typically gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while location and cost should be taken into consideration, there are other significant qualifications also. For example, you should find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the schools you are examining are presented later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiology technician does and the credentials and training options that are offered.
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Radiology Technician Work Summary
There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, they all have the identical primary job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many opt to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for example mammography. They can practice in Virginia clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician might work with 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 detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Virginia health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
Radiology Technician Degree Options
The primary requirement for attending a radiology tech program is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among techs, generally requires 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to finish and is more expansive in scope. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that may be appropriate as well. Something to keep in mind is that Virginia radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It can frequently be satisfied by participating in an externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any certification or licensing requirements in Virginia or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
X-Ray Tech Licensing and Certification
Once you have graduated from an X-Ray tech school, depending on the state where you will be employed you might have to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so get in touch with your state. Currently, 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 other options for testing as well. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, numerous Virginia employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.
Online X-Ray Tech Degrees
As a part of every degree program, Virginia x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree programs. So although you can still obtain your degree online, a considerable amount of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an internship off-campus. Practical training is usually conducted in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your Virginia residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree usually discover that the online approach to learning is far more practical with their active schedules. Plus online schools are frequently cheaper than conventional alternatives. Along with reduced tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting can be lessened as well. But just be sure that the online school you select is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online school may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Radiologic Tech Colleges
When you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of locating and assessing Virginia x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or travel to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the college will be important. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be an important variable also. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you factor in when comparing colleges? Well, you should ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details before you make your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are assessing.
Are the X-Ray Tech Schools Accredited? A large number of xray tech schools have acquired some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to make sure 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). Programs receiving 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 online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Virginia health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry-level jobs.
Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the Virginia xray technician colleges you are evaluating have partnerships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist graduates and students develop professional connections in the Virginia health care community and help with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Virginia healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Virginia residence. Those who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Virginia colleges you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the radiographer program you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Virginia, confirm that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.
Choose the Right X-Ray Technician College in Virginia
Picking the appropriate radiology tech college is a crucial first step toward beginning a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs typically stand for the greater part of the day and position and at times lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with 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. Possessing interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. As has been discussed in this report, there are several questions that you need to ask each school you are looking at before making your final decision. This is equally true whether you decide on an online program or drive to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each college so you can narrow down your options and make your final choice. And with the proper education and your dedication to succeed, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Virginia.