Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Ashland AL 36251 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Pick a Radiologic Tech Program near Ashland Alabama

Ashland AL x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Ashland AL in order to become a radiologic technologist. And now that you have chosen to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, just how do you undertake selecting the ideal school and program to ensure that you will obtain the proper training to become a qualified professional? And since the majority of states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you might require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you assess each of the schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. A number of students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and typically gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while location and cost should be taken into consideration, there are other important qualifiers as well. For instance, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are considering are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray technician does and the credentials and education choices that are available.

Radiology 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 technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, they all have the identical major job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many opt to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, such as mammography. They can practice in Ashland AL hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician might 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 regularly assess its functionality and safety. They are also expected to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Ashland AL health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Tech Degree Options

x-ray machine in Ashland AL The standard prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech school 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, usually takes 18 months to two years to finish depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as 4 years to complete and is more expansive in nature. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be acceptable as well. One thing to consider is that Ashland AL radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It can frequently be satisfied by taking part in an externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification requirements in Alabama or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an Radiologist program, depending on the state where you will be working you might need to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their prerequisites vary 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 offer additional options for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. Having said that, many Ashland AL employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technician Programs

attending x-ray tech school online in Ashland 36251 As a component of any 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 online degree, a considerable portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is usually performed in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online section of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Ashland AL home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree often find that the online approach to education is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are often more affordable than conventional alternatives. Along with lower tuition, costs for commuting and study materials can be lessened as well. But just make certain that the online school you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online degree may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Radiologic Tech Programs

After you have decided on the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of looking for and assessing Ashland AL x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or drive to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the college will be relevant. The cost of tuition and secondary expenses will be an important variable also. But along with location and cost, what more should you consider when comparing colleges? Well, you should ask if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these crucial details prior to making your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the colleges you are considering.

Are the X-Ray Tech Schools Accredited? A large number of radiology tech schools have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to make sure that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly respected 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 a rigorous review of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it might also obtain 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. Besides ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Ashland AL employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out if the Alabama xray technician programs you are interested in have associations with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to receive hands on training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist graduates and students form professional connections in the Ashland AL health care community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out 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 indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Ashland AL healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will have to be within driving distance of their Ashland AL home. Those who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Ashland AL colleges you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the x-ray tech college you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Ashland AL, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask 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 Desire to Be a Radiologic Technologist?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's helpful to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask radiographer applicants is "What made you choose radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must ready several ideas about how you want to answer them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Select the Best X-Ray Technician School near Ashland AL

Selecting the right radiology technician college is a crucial first step toward launching a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs typically stand for the greater part of the day and move and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best available patient care. As we have covered in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are looking at before making your ultimate decision. This is just as true whether you enroll in an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can examine and compare each school so you can focus your choices and make your final choice. And with the right training and your commitment to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as a radiology tech in Ashland AL.

Some Background on Ashland Alabama

Ashland, Alabama

Ashland is a town and former city[4] in Clay County, Alabama, United States. The population was 2,037 at the 2010 census.[2] The town is the county seat of Clay County.

Clay County was formed by an act of the Alabama General Assembly on December 7, 1866. Less than a year later, Ashland was established as the county seat on land donated by Hollingsworth Watts for the construction of a courthouse. Ashland was incorporated in 1871 and was named for 19th century statesman Henry Clay's Kentucky estate home.[5]

During the early years, the town grew very rapidly. The town continued to grow with the opening of Alabama's first graphite mine in 1899.[5] When World War I ended, the market for graphite dropped drastically, thus ending the town's growth phase.

The 1930s brought the Great Depression and boll weevil to Ashland that destroyed the cotton industry. Farmers were forced to abandon what had been the community's major industry. Timber, poultry, and cabinet making became the dominant industries by the beginning of the 21st century.[5]

One of the newest attractions in Clay County in the 1920s, was the chicken business. Millions of chickens and eggs and long chicken houses In or about 1921, Reverend Secelar Claxton Ray took one hundred, day-old chicks to the Clay County Fair and put them under an oil burning brooder and called attention to the advantage of using chickens on the farm to supplement the 'all cotton' cash crop. This was something new, but it did gradually get the attention of the local farmers. He was now fully in the poultry business, and named it Goodwill Poultry Farm and Hatchery. He bought houses then idle at the local graphite mines in Clay County and hired neighbors in their spare time and built the hatchery and chicken houses and an extra tenant house on the farm, southeast of Ashland, Alabama whose population of close to one thousand had grown considerably from two hundred in 1881.[6]