Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Norfolk VA 23501 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Select a Radiologic Technician School near Norfolk Virginia

Norfolk VA x-ray tech internship program Best wishes regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Norfolk VA so you can become a radiology technologist. And now that you have decided to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you go about selecting the ideal college and program so that you will get the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And since most states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you may need training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you assess each of the schools you are looking at in order to compare each program. A number of students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and typically gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while location and cost should be taken into account, there are other critical qualifiers also. For example, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are examining are provided later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a radiologic technician does and the credentials and training options that are available.

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Radiology Tech Career Summary

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, each has the same major job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some opt to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They can work in Norfolk VA hospitals, clinics, 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 have to maintain their equipment and also regularly analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally required to retain in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Norfolk VA health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Tech Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Norfolk VA The basic requirement for attending a radiology tech program is to have received a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, usually requires 18 months to two years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to complete and is more extensive in nature. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are acceptable as well. Something to consider is that Norfolk VA radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Virginia or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, depending on the state where you will be working you might have to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their criteria vary so contact your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but a number approve additional options for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. However, numerous Norfolk VA employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technician Colleges

attending x-ray tech school online in Norfolk 23501 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree programs. So while you can still earn your degree online, a large amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is often performed in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online segment of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Norfolk VA residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree typically discover that the online style of learning is much more practical with their active schedules. Plus online schools are generally more affordable than conventional options. In addition to reduced tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting may be lessened as well. But just make sure that the online college you choose 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 best choice for you.

What to Ask Radiographer Colleges

After you have selected the kind of degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of looking for and assessing Norfolk VA x-ray tech colleges. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or drive to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be important. The price of tuition and ancillary expenses will be an important variable as well. But along with cost and location, what else should you consider when comparing colleges? Well, you need to find out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details prior to making your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are reviewing.

Are the Radiology Tech Schools Accredited? Most xray tech schools have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still important to confirm that the program and school 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 earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the program is online it may also receive 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. Along with guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Norfolk VA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the Virginia xray technician schools you are interested in have associations with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific means to obtain hands on training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Norfolk VA health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Norfolk VA healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will have to be within driving distance of their Norfolk VA home. Students who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Norfolk VA schools you are looking at what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. 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 some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the radiographer school you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Norfolk VA, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

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

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's advantageous to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask radiographer candidates is "What drove you to select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming an Xray technician, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must organize a number of strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Right Radiology Tech Program near Norfolk VA

Selecting the right x-ray tech college is a critical first step toward launching a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs frequently stand for the majority of the workday and position and sometimes lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety guidelines developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray 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 productive work environment and furnish the best available care to patients. As has been discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are reviewing prior to making your final selection. This is similarly true whether you participate in an online school or commute to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can analyze and compare each school so you can narrow down your options before making your decision. And with the right training and your dedication to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as a radiographer in Norfolk VA.

Some Background on Norfolk Virginia

Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk (/ˈnɔːrfʊk/ NOR-fuuk, locally /ˈnɒfʊk/ NOF-uuk) is an independent city located in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. At the 2010 census, the population was 242,803;[3] in 2015, the population was estimated to be 247,189[4] making it the second-most populous city in Virginia after neighboring Virginia Beach.

Norfolk is located at the core of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, named for the large natural harbor of the same name located at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. It is one of nine cities and seven counties that constitute the Hampton Roads metro area, officially known as the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA. The city is bordered to the west by the Elizabeth River and to the north by the Chesapeake Bay. It also shares land borders with the independent cities of Chesapeake to its south and Virginia Beach to its east. Norfolk is one of the oldest cities in Hampton Roads, and is considered to be the historic, urban, financial, and cultural center of the region.

The city has a long history as a strategic military and transportation point. The largest Navy base in the world, Naval Station Norfolk, is located in Norfolk along with one of NATO's two Strategic Command headquarters. The city also has the corporate headquarters of Norfolk Southern Railway, one of North America's principal Class I railroads, and Maersk Line, Limited, which manages the world's largest fleet of US-flag vessels. As the city is bordered by multiple bodies of water, Norfolk has many miles of riverfront and bayfront property, including beaches on the Chesapeake Bay. It is linked to its neighbors by an extensive network of Interstate highways, bridges, tunnels, and three bridge-tunnel complexes, which are the only bridge-tunnels in the United States.

In 1619, the Governor of the Virginia Colony, Sir George Yeardley incorporated four jurisdictions, termed citties, for the developed portion of the colony. These formed the basis for colonial representative government in the newly minted House of Burgesses. What would become Norfolk was put under the Elizabeth Cittie incorporation.

In 1634 King Charles I reorganized the colony into a system of shires. The former Elizabeth Cittie became Elizabeth City Shire. After persuading 105 people to settle in the colony, Adam Thoroughgood (who had immigrated to Virginia in 1622 from King's Lynn, Norfolk, England) was granted a large land holding, through the head rights system, along the Lynnhaven River in 1636.