Tag Archives: Accredited X Ray Tech Schools Great Lakes IL 60088

Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Great Lakes IL 60088

How to Pick an X-Ray Tech Program near Great Lakes Illinois

Great Lakes IL x-ray tech internship programCongrats regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Great Lakes IL so you can become a radiologic technologist. And now that you have chosen to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, exactly how do you tackle picking the right college and program to ensure that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that the majority of states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you might need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s essential that you research each of the schools you are considering in order to evaluate each program. A number of students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and usually settle on the lowest cost. But while cost and location need to be taken into account, there are additional critical qualifications as well. For instance, you need to ask whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you must ask the schools you are considering are provided later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a x-ray tech does and the credentials and education choices that are offered.

X-Ray Tech Job Description

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, they all have the same principal job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many choose to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for instance mammography. They may work in Great Lakes IL clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist might utilize include:

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

Radiographers must take care of their equipment and also routinely evaluate its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Great Lakes IL medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Tech Degree Options

x-ray machine in Great Lakes ILThe standard requirement for attending an x-ray tech program is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, usually takes 18 months to two years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to complete and is more expansive in scope. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that may be appropriate as well. One thing to bear in mind is that Great Lakes IL radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which many schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any certification or licensing requirements in Illinois or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiographer Certification and Licensing

Once you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, based on the state where you will be practicing you might have to be licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their criteria 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 exam for the licensing application, but several provide other options for testing as well. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, numerous Great Lakes IL employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every other year, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Technologist Programs

attending x-ray tech school online in Great Lakes 60088As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree colleges. So while you can still obtain your online degree, a large amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is usually conducted in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your Great Lakes IL residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree often discover that the online style of learning is much more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online colleges are generally cheaper than on-campus alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting may be decreased also. But just make certain that the online school you choose is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then online classes may be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges

As soon as you have selected the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of looking for and assessing Great Lakes IL x-ray technician schools. You will also have to determine if you want to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally 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 location and cost, what else should you look at when reviewing colleges? Well, you need to ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these crucial details before you make your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you must ask the programs you are assessing.

Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? The majority of xray technician colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still important to verify that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting organizations 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 an extensive review of their teachers and course materials. If the school 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 superior education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Great Lakes IL health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level positions.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Find out if the Illinois radiology technician schools you are interested in have partnerships with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific way to get hands on training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist students and graduates develop professional connections in the Great Lakes IL healthcare community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the radiographer schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Great Lakes IL healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Great Lakes IL home. Students who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry 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 choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically 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 type of person that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Great Lakes IL colleges you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the radiographer  program you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Great Lakes IL, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

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

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being an X-Ray tech, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Because there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Right X-Ray Technician School near Great Lakes IL

Picking the ideal radiology technician degree program is a critical first step toward beginning a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the greater part of the working day and move and in some cases lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to follow the safety guidelines developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing social skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best possible patient care. As has been covered in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each school you are assessing prior to making your final selection. This is equally true whether you decide on an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each school so you can narrow down your choices before making your decision. And with the right education and your dedication to be successful, you can achieve your goal to practice as a x-ray tech in Great Lakes IL.

Some Background on Great Lakes Illinois

Naval Station Great Lakes

Naval Station Great Lakes (NAVSTA Great Lakes) is the home of the United States Navy's only boot camp, located near North Chicago, in Lake County, Illinois. Important tenant commands include the Recruit Training Command, Training Support Center and Navy Recruiting District Chicago. Naval Station Great Lakes is the largest military installation in Illinois and the largest training station in the Navy. The base has 1,153 buildings situated on 1,628 acres (6.59 km2) and has 50 miles (80 km) of roadway to provide access to the base's facilities. Within the naval service, it has several different nicknames, including "The Quarterdeck of the Navy",[2] or the more derogatory "Great Mistakes".[3]

The original 39 buildings built between 1905 and 1911 were designed by Jarvis Hunt.[4]

The base is like a small city, with its own Fire Department, Naval Security Forces (Police), and Public Works Department.

One of the landmarks of the area is Building 1, also known as the clocktower building. Completed in 1911, the building is made of red brick, and has a tower over the third floor of the building. The large parade ground in front of the administration building is named Ross Field.

In 1996, RTC Great Lakes became the Navy's only basic training facility. The Base Realignment and Closure Commission of 1993 resulted in the closure of Naval Training Center San Diego, California and Naval Training Center Orlando, Florida, their associated Recruit Training Commands, and the consolidation of US Navy enlisted recruit training to Great Lakes. Approximately 40,000 recruits pass through Recruit Training Command annually with an estimated 7,000 recruits on board the installation at any time. RTC Great Lakes has been active for over 100 years.

 

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