Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Menomonie WI 54751 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Select a Radiology Tech College near Menomonie Wisconsin

Menomonie WI x-ray tech internship program Best wishes on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Menomonie WI so you can train to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have decided to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you tackle picking the right college and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a skilled professional? And since the majority of states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you might need training to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Most potential students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and often settle on the lowest cost. But while expense and location need to be considered, there are other important qualifiers as well. For example, you need to ask if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the schools you are reviewing 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 offered.

Radiology Technician Career Summary

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, each has the identical primary job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many opt to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They may practice in Menomonie WI hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech 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 analyze its performance and safety. They are also required to retain in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Menomonie WI medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Menomonie WI The basic requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech program is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. 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 techs, generally requires 18 months to two years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 4 years to complete and is more comprehensive in nature. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be appropriate as well. Something to keep in mind is that Menomonie WI radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can frequently be satisfied by participating in an externship program which many schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification mandates in Wisconsin or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiographer Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, based on the state where you will be working you may need to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their prerequisites vary so check with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but several approve other alternatives for testing also. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. However, many Menomonie WI employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it could improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every 2 years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technologist Colleges

attending x-ray tech school online in Menomonie 54751 As a component of any 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 although you can still earn your online degree, a significant amount of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an internship off-campus. Clinical training is often carried out in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online segment of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your Menomonie WI residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree usually find that the online approach to education is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are often more affordable than conventional options. Along with lower tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials can be decreased as well. But just make 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 type of training, then online classes may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask X Ray Tech Colleges

When you have selected the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can start the process of locating and evaluating Menomonie WI x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to decide if you want to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be important. The price of tuition and secondary expenditures will be a determining factor also. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you factor in when reviewing colleges? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover 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 reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Tech Colleges Accredited? The majority of radiology technician schools have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still important to make sure that the school and program 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 examination of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on 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 assistance and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Menomonie WI health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level positions.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the Wisconsin xray tech schools you are assessing have relationships with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great means to receive practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Menomonie WI health care community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Menomonie WI healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Menomonie WI home. Those who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide 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 commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Menomonie WI colleges you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program also.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the x-ray tech college you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Menomonie WI, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family obligations.

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

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask radiographer candidates is "What drove you to choose radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being an X-Ray tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to ready some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the best choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best X-Ray Technician College near Menomonie WI

Selecting the ideal radiology tech school is a critical first step toward starting a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs regularly stand for the greater part of the working day and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having social skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best available patient care. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are looking at before making your final decision. This is just as true whether you opt for an online program or travel to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each school so you can narrow down your choices before making your decision. And with the proper training and your motivation to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as a radiographer in Menomonie WI.

Some Background on Menomonie Wisconsin

Menomonie, Wisconsin

Menomonie is a city in and the county seat of Dunn County in the western part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin.[5] The city's population was 16,264 as of the 2010 census.

Named for the historic Native American tribe, the Menominee,[6] inhabitants who pre-dated the state, the city forms the core of the United States Census Bureau's Menomonie Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Dunn County (2010 population: 43,857). The Menomonie MSA and the Eau Claire metropolitan area to the east form the Census Bureau's Eau Claire-Menomonie Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The city center is located at the south end of Lake Menomin, a reservoir on the Red Cedar River.

The earliest known residents of the area were people from the Trempealeau Hopewell Culture of the Middle Woodland Period (1-400 AD). Evidence from their culture includes a mound from the Wakanda Mounds Group in Wakanda Park, along the western shore of Lake Menomin. Most of these mounds are thought to be from Effigy Mound cultures from this time period. Artifacts from the Late Woodland Period (400-1000 AD) have also been uncovered. It is theorized that agricultural villages supported the population during summer months, transitioning to hunting and gathering from fall through spring. The next known population group is the Santee Dakota in the 1600s and 1700s, who engaged in conflicts with the Ojibwe people, who migrated west as refugees. Armed with European weapons, the Ojibwe pushed westward, eventually winning at the Battle of Kathio in 1770. The two tribes continued their warfare, eventually signing the 1825 First Treaty of Prairie du Chien, which made a border between the two just north of Menomonie, with the Dakota claiming the southern lands.[7]

In 1788, French-Canadian fur trader and schoolmaster Jean Baptiste Perrault established a trading post and fort on the Red Cedar River very near Menomonie.[7][8]