How to Choose an X-Ray Tech College in Wisconsin
Congrats on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school in Wisconsin in order to learn to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have made a decision to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you set about choosing the right college and program to ensure that you will obtain 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 might require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the colleges you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Many potential students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and usually settle on the lowest cost. But while location and cost must be considered, there are additional critical qualifications as well. For instance, you should ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you should ask the schools you are examining are provided later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray technician does and the degrees and training choices that are offered.
Radiology Technician Occupation Summary
There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, they all have the same major job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many elect to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They may practice in Wisconsin hospitals, clinics, private 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 have to maintain their equipment plus frequently analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally required to retain detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Wisconsin medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
Radiology Tech Degree Options
The standard requirement for attending a radiology tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, generally takes 18 months to two years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 4 years to complete and is more extensive in scope. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are acceptable as well. Something to keep in mind is that Wisconsin radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may typically be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which many colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification requirements in Wisconsin or the state you will be working as applicable.
Radiographer Licensing and Certification
When you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, based on the state where you will be employed you might have to become licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites differ so check with your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but several provide additional options for testing as well. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is optional. However, numerous Wisconsin employers will only hire radiology techs that are certified so it might improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.
Online Radiology Tech Schools
As a part of any degree program, Wisconsin 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 earn your degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is typically conducted in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Wisconsin residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree typically discover that the online approach to education is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online programs are generally cheaper than traditional alternatives. Along with reduced tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting may be lessened also. But just make certain that the online college you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online degree may be the best choice for you.
Topics to Ask X Ray Tech Programs
Once you have selected the type of degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of locating and evaluating Wisconsin x-ray technician schools. You will also need to decide if you want to attend classes online or drive to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and secondary expenditures will be an important variable as well. But along with cost and location, what else should you look at when evaluating colleges? Well, you need to find out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these important details before you make your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you need to ask the programs you are looking at.
Are the X-Ray Tech Programs Accredited? Most radiology tech colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to verify that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous review of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies 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 help in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Wisconsin health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level openings.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Inquire if the Wisconsin radiology tech programs you are evaluating have partnerships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to receive practical training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help students and graduates form professional connections in the Wisconsin health care community and assist with job placement.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Wisconsin healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they select will have to be within driving distance of their Wisconsin residence. Those who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Wisconsin schools you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology tech program as well.
Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the radiographer college you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Wisconsin, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Pick the Right X-Ray Tech College in Wisconsin
Picking the ideal x-ray tech college is an important first step toward beginning a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs often stand for the majority of the workday and move and in some cases lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements 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 deliver the best available patient care. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are reviewing prior to making your final selection. This is equally true whether you participate in an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each program so you can focus your choices before making your final choice. And with the proper training and your commitment to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a radiographer in Wisconsin.