How to Pick an Xray Technician School in West Virginia
Best wishes on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school in West Virginia so you can learn to be a radiology technologist. And now that you have chosen to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you set about choosing the right school and program so that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that the majority of states do require that radiology techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you may require preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you research each of the colleges you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Many prospective students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and usually gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while location and cost must be taken into account, there are additional critical qualifications also. For example, you should ask if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are evaluating are provided later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a radiology technician does and the credentials and training choices that are available.
X-Ray Tech Occupation Summary
There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, each has the identical fundamental job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many elect to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, such as mammography. They may work in West Virginia hospitals, clinics, private 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 care for their equipment and also regularly analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally required to keep detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As West Virginia health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
Radiology Technician Degrees
The standard requirement for attending an x-ray tech college 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 typical among technicians, generally takes 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to complete and is more comprehensive in nature. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that are appropriate as well. Something to keep in mind is that West Virginia radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may typically be satisfied by taking part in an externship program which many schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing requirements in West Virginia or the state you will be working as applicable.
Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing
After you have graduated from an X-Ray tech school, based on the state where you will be practicing you may have to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their criteria vary so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but several offer other alternatives for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is optional. Having said that, many West Virginia employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it could improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every other year, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.
Online Radiology Technologist Colleges
As a component of any degree program, West Virginia x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree programs. So although you can still obtain your online degree, a substantial amount of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is typically carried out in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online section of the training may be attended in the comfort of your West Virginia residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree often discover that the online style of learning is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online schools are generally less costly than conventional alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting may be reduced as well. But just be sure 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 best option for you.
Questions to Ask Radiographer Colleges
After you have selected the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can start the process of looking for and evaluating West Virginia x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or drive to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be relevant. The price of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a material variable as well. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you consider when comparing colleges? Well, you need to check out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these crucial details before you make your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are reviewing.
Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? The majority of radiology technician colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still imperative to confirm that the program and school are accredited. Among 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 gone through a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and course materials. If the school 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 recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of West Virginia health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level positions.
Are Internships Offered? Find out if the West Virginia radiology technician colleges you are evaluating have partnerships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great means to get hands on training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist graduates and students establish professional relationships in the West Virginia healthcare community and assist with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with West Virginia healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their West Virginia home. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the West Virginia schools you are researching 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 ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the x-ray tech school you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in West Virginia, 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, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.
Choose the Right X-Ray Tech School in West Virginia
Selecting the right x-ray technician degree program is an important first step toward launching a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical shape. Radiology techs regularly stand for the greater part of the working day and position and in some cases lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best available care to patients. As has been covered in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each program you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you participate in 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 and make your final choice. And with the proper education and your commitment to be successful, you can achieve your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in West Virginia.