How to Pick an X-Ray Tech College near Juneau Wisconsin

Congratulations regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Juneau WI so you can train to be a radiologic technician. But now that you have decided to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you set about selecting the ideal school and program so that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled professional? And because most 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 important that you assess each of the colleges you are considering so that you can compare each program. A number of potential students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and usually settle on the most affordable cost. But while expense and location need to be taken into account, there are additional significant qualifications as well. For instance, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are examining are provided later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic tech does and the degrees and education options that are available.

X-Ray Technician Occupation Summary

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, they all have the identical principal job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some choose to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for instance mammography. They may practice in Juneau WI hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist 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 take care of their equipment plus regularly evaluate its performance and safety. They are also required to keep detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Juneau WI medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degree Options

The basic requirement for attending a radiology tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, generally takes 18 months to 2 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. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that are acceptable as well. One thing to keep in mind is that Juneau WI radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may typically be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once 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.

Radiographer Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, based on the state where you will be working you might have to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary so contact your state. Currently, all states that do require licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but several provide other alternatives for testing also. Some states also call for certification as a component of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. Having said that, many Juneau WI employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Technologist Degrees

As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges 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 online degree, a large portion of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is typically performed in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Juneau WI home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree often find that the online approach to learning is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online schools are often less expensive than conventional options. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be reduced also. But just make certain that the online program you select is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online degree may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Radiographer Programs

As soon as you have decided on the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can begin the process of searching for and evaluating Juneau WI x-ray tech colleges. You will also have to decide if you want to attend classes online or drive to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be important. The price of tuition and secondary expenditures will be an important variable also. But along with location and cost, what else should you consider when reviewing colleges? Well, you need to ask if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details prior to making your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are considering.

Are the Radiology Technician Schools Accredited? A large number of radiology tech colleges have acquired some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still important to make sure 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a rigorous examination of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on 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 premium education, accreditation will also help in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Juneau WI health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry-level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the Wisconsin xray tech colleges you are evaluating have partnerships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific means to get practical training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Juneau WI healthcare community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Juneau WI healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Juneau WI home. Those who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly 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 Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Juneau WI schools you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program also.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the radiographer  program you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Juneau WI, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

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

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask radiographer candidates is "What drove you to pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for being an X-Ray tech, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should organize several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few concepts and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Pick the Ideal Radiology Technician School near Juneau WI

Selecting the appropriate x-ray tech degree program is a critical first step toward launching a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs often stand for the greater part of the day and move and at times lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and deliver the best possible patient care. As has been covered in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are considering before making your ultimate decision. This is equally true whether you enroll in an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can examine and compare each college so you can narrow down your options and make your decision. And with the right education and your dedication to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Juneau WI.

Some Background on Juneau Wisconsin

 

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