Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Portage WI 53901 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Choose a Radiology Technician Degree Program near Portage Wisconsin

Portage WI x-ray tech internship program Congrats on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Portage WI in order to learn to be a radiology technologist. But now that you have decided to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, exactly how do you tackle picking the ideal college and program so that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a qualified practitioner? And considering that the majority of states do require that radiology techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you might require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s imperative that you investigate each of the schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. A number of prospective students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and typically gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while cost and location need to be taken into account, there are other important qualifications also. For example, you need to find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are considering are presented later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a radiologic technician does and the degrees and education options that are available.

X-Ray Tech Work Description

There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has 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 might also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some opt to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They may practice in Portage WI hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech might utilize include:

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

Radiographers have to care for their equipment and also regularly assess its functionality and safety. They are also required to keep detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Portage WI health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Tech Degrees

x-ray machine in Portage WI The primary requirement for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, normally takes 18 months to two years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to four years to complete and is more comprehensive in scope. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be acceptable also. Something to bear in mind is that Portage WI radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It may frequently be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once 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.

Radiologic Technologist Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an Radiologist school, depending on the state where you will be employed you might have to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but a number approve other options for testing also. Some states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, many Portage WI employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it might increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Tech Classes

attending x-ray tech school online in Portage 53901 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 the same for online degree programs. So although you can still obtain your degree online, a significant amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off-campus. Clinical training is typically conducted in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online section of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Portage WI home. Students who continue working while earning their degree usually find that the online approach to education is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are generally less expensive than on-campus alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting can be reduced also. But just be sure that the online program you select is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online school may be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask X Ray Tech Colleges

When you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of searching for and evaluating Portage WI x-ray technician schools. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be critical. The price of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be a material variable as well. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you consider when comparing colleges? Well, you should check out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you learn 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 assessing.

Are the Radiology Tech Colleges Accredited? A large number of radiology tech schools 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 regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive review of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting organizations 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 help in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Portage WI employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry-level openings.

Are Internships Offered? Find out if the Wisconsin radiology tech schools you are interested in have partnerships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great manner to obtain practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Portage WI health care community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the radiographer programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Portage WI healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Portage WI residence. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. 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 might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the back 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 Portage WI colleges you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few 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 finally choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Portage WI, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. 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 Want to Be an X-Ray Tech?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's important to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask radiographer candidates is "What drove you to select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being a radiology technician, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare several ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Best X-Ray Technician Program near Portage WI

Choosing the right x-ray tech college is an important first step toward initiating a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs regularly stand for the greater part of the day and move and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to follow 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 doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best possible patient care. As has been covered in this report, there are a number of questions that you should ask each program you are assessing prior to making your final decision. This is equally true whether you participate in an online program or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can examine and compare each school so you can focus your options before making your final choice. And with the proper training and your dedication to be successful, you can realize your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Portage WI.

Some Background on Portage Wisconsin

Portage, Wisconsin

Portage is a city in and the county seat of Columbia County, Wisconsin, United States.[6] The population was 10,662 at the 2010 census[5] making it the largest city in Columbia County. The city is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Portage was named for the Fox-Wisconsin Waterway, a portage between the Fox River and the Wisconsin River, which was recognized by Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet during their discovery of a route to the Mississippi River in 1673. The city's slogan is "Where the North Begins."

The Native American tribes that once lived here, and later the European traders and settlers, took advantage of the lowlands between the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers as a natural "portage". In May 1673, Jacques Marquette joined the expedition of Louis Jolliet, a French-Canadian explorer, to find the Mississippi River. They departed from St. Ignace on May 17, with two canoes and five voyageurs of French-Indian ancestry (Métis).[3] They followed Lake Michigan to Green Bay and up the Fox River, nearly to its headwaters. From there, they were told to portage their canoes a distance of slightly less than two miles through marsh and oak plains to the Wisconsin River. Later, French fur traders described the place as "le portage", which eventually lent itself to the name of the community. As a portage, this community developed as a center of commerce and trade; later, a canal was constructed to facilitate this trade. When the railroads came through, the community continued in this role.

Portage emerged at this place because of its unique position along the one and a half mile strip of marshy floodplain between the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. By the end of the 17th century, the Fox-Wisconsin waterway, linked at The Portage, served as the major fur trade thoroughfare between Green Bay and Prairie du Chien. It was not until the 1780s and 1790s that traders built their posts and warehouses at each end of The Portage. In the early 19th century Portage was primarily populated by Métis.[7] In 1828, the federal government recognized the strategic economic importance of The Portage and built Fort Winnebago at the Fox River end. After 15 years of controversy, Winnebago settlement (now Portage) won the county seat in 1851. The community incorporated as Portage City in 1854.

The Portage business district lies along a hill that overlooks the Portage Canal. The buildings now in the city's downtown were once part of a bustling, urban commercial center serving a large region across north central Wisconsin. The building of the city paralleled its commercial prominence between the end of the American Civil War and the second decade of the 20th century.