Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Green Bay WI 54301 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Choose an X-Ray Tech College near Green Bay Wisconsin

Green Bay WI x-ray tech internship program Congratulations regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Green Bay WI so you can learn to be a radiologic technologist. But now that you have decided to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, exactly how do you tackle selecting the right school and program so that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled professional? And because most states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you might require preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s imperative that you investigate each of the schools you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. A number of students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and often settle on the most affordable cost. But while expense and location should be taken into account, there are other critical qualifications as well. For example, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the schools you are reviewing are presented later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a radiologic technician does and the credentials and education choices that are available.

Radiology Tech Job Description

There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, each has the same principal job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some elect to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They can work in Green Bay WI hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician may work with include:

Traditional and specialized X-Rays
Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Sonography or ultrasound
Fluoroscopy

Radiographers must care for their equipment plus routinely assess its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to keep detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Green Bay WI medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Tech Degree Options

x-ray machine in Green Bay WI The standard requirement for enrolling in an x-ray tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, generally takes 18 months to two years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as four years to complete and is more extensive in nature. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that may be appropriate as well. One thing to keep in mind is that Green Bay WI radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can typically be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Wisconsin or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, depending on the state where you will be practicing you might have to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their criteria differ so contact your state. Presently, all states that do require licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but many accept additional alternatives for testing as well. Some states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is optional. However, numerous Green Bay WI employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Tech Classes

attending x-ray tech school online in Green Bay 54301 As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree programs. So even though you can still earn your degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is often conducted in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Green Bay WI residence. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree often discover that the online style of learning is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online colleges are generally more affordable than on-campus alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting can be lessened as well. But just make sure that the online program you pick 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 right option for you.

Topics to Ask Radiographer Colleges

After you have chosen the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of finding and assessing Green Bay WI x-ray tech schools. You will also need to determine if you want to attend online classes or drive to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and secondary expenses will be a material variable also. But along with location and cost, what more should you factor in when evaluating schools? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you find out some of these essential details before you make your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the schools you are looking at.

Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? Most radiology tech schools have acquired some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to confirm that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed review of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Green Bay WI health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry level positions.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the Wisconsin radiology technician programs you are assessing have associations with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to obtain practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Green Bay WI health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the radiographer programs you are interviewing have job placement 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 Green Bay WI healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Green Bay WI residence. Those who have chosen to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? 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 one-on-one instruction. Ask the Green Bay WI schools you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the x-ray tech program you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Green Bay WI, confirm that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Desire to Become an Xray Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's important to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask radiographer candidates is "What made you select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being an X-Ray tech, but additionally what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare some strategies about how you want to answer them. Since there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Radiology Technician College near Green Bay WI

Choosing the appropriate radiology technician school is a critical first step toward initiating a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer should be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs typically stand for the majority of the day and position and in some cases lift the patient to get the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to follow the safety guidelines developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and furnish the best available care to patients. As we have addressed in this report, there are several questions that you should ask each program you are assessing before making your final selection. This is equally true whether you enroll in an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each program so you can focus your choices and make your decision. And with the appropriate education and your motivation to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Green Bay WI.

Some Background on Green Bay Wisconsin

Green Bay, Wisconsin

Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin,[7] at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It is 581 feet (177 m) above sea level and 112 miles (180 km) north of Milwaukee. The population was 104,057 at the 2010 census.[5] Green Bay is the third-largest city in the state of Wisconsin, after Milwaukee and Madison, and the third-largest city on Lake Michigan's west shore, after Chicago and Milwaukee. Green Bay is home to the National Football League team Green Bay Packers.

Green Bay is the principal city of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area, which covers Brown, Kewaunee, and Oconto counties;[8] the MSA had a combined population of 306,241 at the 2010 census.[5]

Green Bay is an industrial city with several meatpacking plants, paper mills, and a port on Green Bay, an arm of Lake Michigan known locally as "the Bay of Green Bay". Green Bay hosts the Neville Public Museum, with exhibitions of art, history, and science; the Children's Museum; and the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay.

Samuel de Champlain, the founder of New France, commissioned Jean Nicolet to form a peaceful alliance with Native Americans in the western areas, whose unrest interfered with French fur trade, and to search for a shorter trade route to China through Canada. Nicolet and others had learned from other First Nations of the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) people, who identified as "People of the Sea", and believed they must reside on or near the Pacific Ocean.[9] Champlain had also heard about natural resources in the area, including fertile soil, forests, and animals. Nicolet began his journey for this new land shortly before winter in 1634.[10] In what later became a French fur-trading route, he sailed up the Ottawa River, through Lake Nipissing and down the French River to Lake Huron, then through the straits of Michilimackinac into Lake Michigan. He is believed to have landed at Red Banks, near the site of the modern-day city of Green Bay, Wisconsin.[11]

Nicolet founded a small trading post here in 1634, originally named La Baye or La Baie des Puants (French for "the Bay of Stinking Waters").[12] Nicolet's settlement was one of the oldest European permanent settlements in America.[citation needed]