How to Pick an Xray Tech College near Fond du Lac Wisconsin

Best wishes regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Fond du Lac WI in order to become a radiology technician. And now that you have made a decision to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you undertake choosing the right college and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that most states do require that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you subsequently work you might need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you investigate each of the schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Many potential students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and frequently gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location need to be taken into account, there are additional critical qualifiers also. For example, you should ask whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are evaluating are presented later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiology tech does and the degrees and training choices that are available.

X-Ray Technician Occupation Summary

There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, each has the same principal job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some elect to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for example mammography. They can work in Fond du Lac WI hospitals, clinics, private 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 must take care of their equipment and also regularly assess its performance and safety. They are also expected to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Fond du Lac WI health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered

The primary prerequisite for attending a radiology tech program is to have earned 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 prevalent among techs, usually requires 18 months to two years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as four years to finish and is more extensive in nature. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are appropriate as well. One thing to consider is that Fond du Lac WI radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may frequently be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which many colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any licensing or certification requirements in Wisconsin or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Licensing and Certification

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, based on the state where you will be working you might need to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their criteria vary so check with your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but many accept other alternatives for testing as well. Several states also require certification as a component of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. Having said that, many Fond du Lac WI employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it could increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technologist Colleges

As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree colleges. So while you can still earn your degree online, a significant amount of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is usually carried out in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online section of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Fond du Lac WI home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree often discover that the online style of education is much more practical with their active schedules. Plus online programs are often less costly than conventional options. Along with lower tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials may be lessened as well. But just make certain that the online program you choose 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 best option for you.

Questions to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges

After you have selected the kind of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of searching for and evaluating Fond du Lac WI x-ray technician schools. You will also need to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or drive to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be important. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be an important factor as well. But along with cost and location, what more should you look at when evaluating colleges? Well, you should 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 should ask the programs you are considering.

Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? Most radiology tech colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still important to make sure 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Fond du Lac WI health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the Wisconsin xray tech colleges you are interested in have partnerships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help graduates and students form professional relationships in the Fond du Lac WI medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Fond du Lac WI healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Fond du Lac WI residence. Students who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Fond du Lac WI schools you are considering 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 talk with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the radiographer  program you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Fond du Lac WI, make certain 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, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Want to Become a Radiology Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask radiographer candidates is "What drove you to select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming a radiology technician, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you must prepare some ideas about how you would like to address them. Since there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the best choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Best Radiology Technician College near Fond du Lac WI

Picking the right x-ray tech school is a crucial first step toward launching a satisfying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs often stand for the greater part of the working day and position and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety guidelines designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and deliver the best available care to patients. As has been discussed in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are assessing before making your final selection. This is similarly true whether you opt for an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can examine and compare each program so you can focus your options before making your decision. And with the proper training and your motivation to succeed, you can achieve your goal to practice as a radiographer in Fond du Lac WI.

Some Background on Fond du Lac Wisconsin

 

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