Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Sturtevant WI 53177 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Choose an X-Ray Tech Program near Sturtevant Wisconsin

Sturtevant WI x-ray tech internship program Best wishes regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Sturtevant WI so you can train to be a radiology technician. But now that you have made a decision to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you tackle choosing the right school and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that most states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you might require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you research each of the colleges you are considering in order to evaluate each program. A number of prospective students begin by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and often gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while expense and location need to be taken into account, there are other important qualifiers as well. For example, you need to ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are reviewing are provided later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiology technician does and the degrees and training choices that are offered.

X-Ray Technician Career Summary

There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, each has the identical primary job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some elect to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, such as mammography. They may practice in Sturtevant WI clinics, hospitals, family 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 maintain their equipment plus frequently analyze its performance and safety. They are also required to keep detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Sturtevant WI medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degrees Available

x-ray machine in Sturtevant WI The basic requirement for attending an x-ray tech college is to have received 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 common among technicians, generally takes 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as four years to complete and is more extensive in nature. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be appropriate as well. Something to consider is that Sturtevant WI radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It may frequently be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which many colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing mandates in Wisconsin or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an Radiologist college, based on the state where you will be employed you may need to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so get in touch with your state. At present, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but many accept other options for testing as well. A number of states also require certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is optional. However, many Sturtevant WI employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it might enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technologist Colleges

attending x-ray tech school online in Sturtevant 53177 As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical 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 college lab or in an internship off-campus. Clinical training is usually conducted in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online section of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Sturtevant WI home. Students who keep working while earning their degree often discover that the online approach to learning is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are frequently cheaper than conventional alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting may be decreased also. But just make sure that the online school you pick is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online school may be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Radiographer Schools

After you have decided on the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of locating and evaluating Sturtevant WI x-ray tech schools. You will also have to decide if you want to attend classes online or drive to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be important. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be an important factor as well. But along with cost and location, what else should you factor in when evaluating schools? Well, you should check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details prior to making your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you must ask the programs you are considering.

Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? A large number of radiology tech colleges have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, 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). Programs earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed examination of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Sturtevant WI health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level openings.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Inquire if the Wisconsin xray technician schools you are interested in have associations with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific manner to receive hands on training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help students and graduates form professional relationships in the Sturtevant WI health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Sturtevant WI healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Sturtevant WI home. Individuals 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 importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Sturtevant WI schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. 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 several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program also.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the x-ray tech school you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Sturtevant WI, make certain 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 carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become an Xray Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for being a radiology technician, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare several strategies about how you want to answer them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal X-Ray Tech Program near Sturtevant WI

Selecting the best x-ray technician degree program is a critical first step toward beginning a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the greater part of the day and move and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best available patient care. As has been addressed in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are assessing prior to making your ultimate decision. This is similarly true whether you enroll in an online school or commute to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can analyze and compare each college so you can narrow down your choices and make your decision. And with the proper education and your motivation to succeed, you can realize your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Sturtevant WI.

Some Background on Sturtevant Wisconsin

Sturtevant station

Sturtevant is an Amtrak railway station which opened for service on August 14, 2006. It is located at 9900 East Exploration Court, as part of the Renaissance Business Park in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, United States. The facility accommodates travelers who use the Hiawatha Service between Chicago Union Station and the Milwaukee Intermodal Station, and sees fourteen daily arrivals, seven each from Milwaukee and Chicago. Located along tracks owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway, the station was constructed as a replacement for the Milwaukee Road's 1901 Sturtevant depot at 2904 Wisconsin Street, which was moved from its former location to Caledonia in October 2009.

The Sturtevant station's primary function is to provide residents of Racine County and the southern portions of the Milwaukee metropolitan area Amtrak service. The station is served only by the Amtrak Hiawatha Service, and sees fourteen daily arrivals, seven each from Milwaukee and Chicago Union Station.[2] The station is the third stop en route to Chicago, with a travel time along the 23-mile (37-kilometer) section taking 28 minutes.[2] It is also the third stop en route to Milwaukee, with a travel time along the 63-mile (101-kilometer) section taking one hour.[2] For 2009, the station handled 71,369 passengers.[3]

The 1,800-square-foot (170 m2) station includes a Quik-Trak ticket vending machine, restrooms, a seating area and a pedestrian bridge to connect the northbound and southbound boarding platforms.[4] As the station is unstaffed, all tickets from the station need to be pre-paid, purchased from Quik-Trak or on the train from a conductor.[4] The station parking lot contains 170 spaces, with payment required upon entering for daily use and a permit required for monthly use.[5][6] Connections from the station to the local bus service operated daily by the Belle Urban System are also available.[7]

Prior to the completion of this facility, Amtrak served the 1901 depot located in downtown Sturtevant.[8] Due to the age and condition of the facility, in summer 1998 village officials applied for a federal grant for the construction of a new station.[8] By November, initial construction costs for the facility were estimated at $1 million. Financing for the facility would come 80 percent through a state grant with the remaining 20 percent coming from the village.[9] In July 2000, the original architectural plans were unveiled illustrating a 1,500-square-foot (140 m2) station, two side platforms, and a pedestrian tunnel crossing beneath the tracks.[10] Additionally, construction costs were revised to $1.2 million with an estimated completion date of spring 2001.[10]

Final approval for the construction of the station was given by the Sturtevant Village Board in April 2001, with completion slated for that November.[11] At the time of approval, construction costs were again revised up to $2.1 million and the size of the station was increased to 1,800 square feet (170 m2).[11] By fall 2002, after both design changes and a delay in the receipt federal funding, construction was expected to commence.[12] However, groundbreaking would again be delayed due to a disagreement between the village and the Canadian Pacific Railway regarding liability for what occurs on railroad property during construction.[13] The issue was resolved by February 2003, with solicitation of bids for its construction being requested soon thereafter.[13]