Tag Archives: How to Become an X Ray Technician Pittsburg KS 66762

Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Pittsburg KS 66762

How to Select an Xray Tech Degree Program near Pittsburg Kansas

Pittsburg KS x-ray tech internship programBest wishes regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Pittsburg KS in order to train to be a radiology technologist. But now that you have made a decision to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, exactly how do you go about selecting the ideal school and program to ensure that you will get the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And since the majority of states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, based on where you subsequently practice you might need training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the colleges you are considering in order to compare each program. Most students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and typically settle on the most affordable cost. But while expense and location should be taken into account, there are additional critical qualifiers also. For example, you should find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are reviewing are provided later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology tech does and the credentials and training choices that are offered.

X-Ray Technician Work Description

There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, each has the identical principal job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many choose to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, such as mammography. They may work in Pittsburg KS hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist 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 maintain their equipment and routinely analyze its functionality and safety. They are also expected to keep detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Pittsburg KS medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Tech Degrees Available

x-ray machine in Pittsburg KSThe basic requirement for enrolling in an x-ray tech college is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, normally requires 18 months to two years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to four years to finish and is more expansive in nature. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be acceptable as well. Something to bear in mind is that Pittsburg KS radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may often be fulfilled by taking part in an externship program which many colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Kansas or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, depending on the state where you will be practicing you may have to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their criteria differ so contact your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but several accept other alternatives for testing as well. Some states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. Having said that, numerous Pittsburg KS employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it may improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted 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 exam.

Online Radiology Technologist Classes

attending x-ray tech school online in Pittsburg 66762As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools 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 online degree, a significant amount of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is often carried out in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online segment of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Pittsburg KS residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree typically discover that the online style of education is much more practical with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are generally less costly than traditional options. Along with reduced tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials may be decreased as well. But just be sure that the online school you pick is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online degree may be the right option for you.

What to Ask X Ray Tech Colleges

After you have decided on the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can begin the process of locating and evaluating Pittsburg KS x-ray tech schools. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be relevant. The cost of tuition and secondary expenses will be a determining variable also. But along with cost and location, what more should you look at when comparing colleges? Well, you should find out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details before you make your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the colleges you are looking at.

Are the Radiology Tech Programs Accredited? Most xray technician schools have acquired some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still imperative 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). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial assistance 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 numerous Pittsburg KS health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level positions.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the Kansas xray tech colleges you are reviewing have relationships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific manner to obtain hands on training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist graduates and students develop professional connections in the Pittsburg KS healthcare community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the radiographer programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Pittsburg KS healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they select will need to be within commuting distance of their Pittsburg KS residence. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Pittsburg KS schools you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the x-ray tech  college you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Pittsburg KS, confirm 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 have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Want to Become a Radiology Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask radiographer prospects is "What made you select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being an Xray technician, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare some approaches about how you want to answer them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Pick the Right Radiology Tech Program near Pittsburg KS

Selecting the best radiology technician school is a critical first step toward starting a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs regularly stand for the greater part of the day and position and sometimes lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show an ability 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 techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having social skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best possible care to patients. As we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are reviewing before making your final decision. This is similarly true whether you enroll in an online school or drive to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can examine and compare each program so you can narrow down your options and make your final choice. And with the proper training and your dedication to be successful, you can reach your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Pittsburg KS.

Some Background on Pittsburg Kansas

Pittsburg, Kansas

Pittsburg is a city in Crawford County, Kansas, United States, located in Southeast Kansas near the Missouri state border. It is the most populous city in Crawford County and southeastern Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 20,233.[6]

On October 23, 1864, a wagon train of refugees had come from Fort Smith, Arkansas, and was escorted by troops from the 6th Kansas Cavalry under the command of Col. William Campbell. These were local men from Cherokee, Crawford, and Bourbon counties. Their enlistment was over, and they were on their way to Fort Leavenworth to be dismissed from service. They ran into the 1st Indian Brigade led by Maj. Andrew Jackson Piercy near the current Pittsburg Waste Water Treatment Plant. They continued to the north when a small group of wagons broke away in an unsuccessful rush to safety. The Confederate troops caught up with them and burned the wagons. The death toll was three Union soldiers and 13 civilian men who had been with the wagon train. It was likely that one of the Confederates had also been killed. A granite marker memorial for the "Cow Creek Skirmish" was placed near the Crawford County Historical Museum on October 30, 2011.[7]

Pittsburg sprang up in the fall of 1876 on a railroad line being built through the neighborhood.[8] It was named after Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,[9] and maps of the time give the town's name as "New Pittsburgh". George Hobson and Franklin Playter are credited with being the city's founders, establishing a government after its beginnings as a coal mining camp in the 1870s. The city was incorporated in 1879.[10] The “New” was dropped upon incorporation of the City as a third class city on June 21, 1880, with M. M. Snow as its first Mayor. In 1892 it was advanced to a city of the second class, in 1905 Pittsburg attained the rank of first class. During this period, the 'h' was dropped from the official spelling, as the name was pronounced with a "berg" ending, and not a "burra" ending (Scottish). For this reason, the United States Board on Geographic Names altered the city's official name as part of a country-wide standardization effort. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania similarly lost its 'h' from 1891 to 1911, before winning a rare name reversal following a twenty-year appeal.

The first dwelling was built by J. T. Roach in July 1876.[11] The first post office in Pittsburg was established in August, 1876. The post office's name was spelled as Pittsburgh and New Pittsburgh for some time before 1894.[12] In 1910, the population of Pittsburg was over 14,000.

Pittsburg is the home to Pittsburg State University, founded in 1903 as a normal training institution. Through the years the College became more diversified in its aims and goals, so that it became a multi-purpose institution. It has always had a strong manual and industrial arts program and has trained many of the area's public and private school teachers.

 

More Cities of Interest in Kansas

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