Maine Archives - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Choose a Radiology Technician Degree Program near Waterville Maine

Waterville ME x-ray tech internship program Congratulations regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Waterville ME so you can train to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have chosen to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you set about picking the right school and program to ensure that you will get the proper training to become a skilled professional? And considering that most states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s imperative that you research each of the colleges you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Many potential students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and typically gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while expense and location should be taken into account, there are additional important qualifications also. For example, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the schools you are examining are presented later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray tech does and the credentials and education choices that are available.

Radiology Technician Occupation Description

There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, each has the identical fundamental job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some choose to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for example mammography. They can work in Waterville ME clinics, hospitals, 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 have to take care of their equipment and routinely assess its functionality and safety. They are also expected to keep complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Waterville ME medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Technician Degree Options

x-ray machine in Waterville ME The standard prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, generally requires 18 months to two years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as four years to finish and is more comprehensive in nature. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be acceptable also. One thing to bear in mind is that Waterville ME radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It can typically be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which many schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Maine or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an X-Ray tech school, based on the state where you will be working you might need to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so check with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but several accept other options for testing also. A number of states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is voluntary. Having said that, many Waterville ME employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every other year, which may 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 Waterville 04901 As a part 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 while you can still obtain your degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an internship off-campus. Clinical training is often provided in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online portion of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Waterville ME residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree often find that the online style of education is much more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are often more affordable than on-campus options. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting can be lessened also. But just confirm that the online school you choose is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then online classes may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Radiographer Colleges

After you have selected the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can start the process of finding and assessing Waterville ME x-ray technician schools. You will also have to decide if you want to attend online classes or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be critical. The price of tuition and secondary expenses will be a determining variable as well. But along with cost and location, what more should you consider when reviewing schools? Well, you should ask if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details prior to making your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you must ask the programs you are reviewing.

Are the Radiology Technician Schools Accredited? A large number of xray tech colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to verify 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). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a rigorous review of their teachers and educational 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 agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in securing financial aid and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Waterville ME health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the Maine xray technician programs you are evaluating have relationships with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great way to obtain practical experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Waterville ME healthcare community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the radiographer schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Waterville ME healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Waterville ME home. Students who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Waterville ME schools you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the x-ray tech program you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Waterville ME, make sure that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Want to Become a Radiology Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask radiographer applicants is "What compelled you to choose radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming a radiology technician, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare several ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Pick the Right X-Ray Technician Program near Waterville ME

Selecting the appropriate x-ray tech school is an important first step toward initiating a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs often stand for the majority of the workday and move and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection. This is similarly true whether you opt for an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each program so you can focus your options before making your final choice. And with the proper education and your motivation to be successful, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Waterville ME.

Some Background on Waterville Maine

Waterville, Maine

Waterville is a city in Kennebec County of the U.S. state of Maine, United States, on the west bank of the Kennebec River. Home to Colby College and Thomas College, the population was 15,722 at the 2010 census. Waterville is also the latter of the cities which make up the Augusta-Waterville, ME Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Waterville has a Mayor and council-manager form of government, led by a mayor and a seven-member city council. The city council is the governing board, and the city manager is the chief administrative officer of the City, responsible for the management of all City affairs. The city is also home to Fox affiliate WPFO and Daystar rebroadcaster WFYW-LP both serving the Portland market and to several radio stations including Colby's WMHB, country WEBB, adult standards WTVL and MPBN on 91.3 FM. The film Wet Hot American Summer is set in Waterville.

The area now known as Waterville was once inhabited by the Canibas tribe of Abenaki Indians. Called Taconnet after Chief Taconnet, the main village was located on the east bank of the Kennebec River at its confluence with the Sebasticook River at what is now Winslow. Known as Ticonic by English settlers, it was burned in 1692 during King William's War, after which the Canibas tribe abandoned the area. Fort Halifax was built by General John Winslow in 1754, and the last skirmish with Indians occurred on May 18, 1757.[4]

The township would be organized as Kingfield Plantation, then incorporated as Winslow in 1771. When residents on the west side of the Kennebec found themselves unable to cross the river to attend town meetings, Waterville was founded from the west parts of Winslow and incorporated on June 23, 1802. In 1824 a bridge was built joining the communities. Early industries included fishing, lumbering, agriculture and ship building, with larger boats launched in spring during freshets. By the early 1900s, there were five shipyards in the community.[5]

Ticonic Falls blocked navigation farther upriver, so Waterville developed as the terminus for trade and shipping. The Kennebec River and Messalonskee Stream provided water power for mills, including several sawmills, a gristmill, a sash and blind factory, a furniture factory and a shovel handle factory. There was also a carriage and sleigh factory, boot shop, brickyard and tannery. On September 27, 1849, the Androscoggin and Kennebec Railroad opened to Waterville. It would become part of the Maine Central Railroad, which in 1870 established locomotive and car repair shops in the thriving mill town. West Waterville (renamed Oakland) was set off as a town in 1873. Waterville was incorporated as a city on January 12, 1888.[6]