How to Find an Xray Technician College near Lake Havasu City Arizona
Best wishes regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Lake Havasu City AZ so you can become a radiologic technologist. But now that you have decided to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you set about picking the right school and program so that you will get the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And considering that the majority of states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you may need preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you assess each of the colleges you are considering so that you can compare each program. Most prospective students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and usually gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while location and cost need to be considered, there are other important qualifiers as well. For example, you need to find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the schools you are evaluating are presented later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic technician does and the degrees and education choices that are offered.
X-Ray Technician Work Summary
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. Irrespective of the name, each has the identical major job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many elect to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, such as mammography. They can work in Lake Havasu City AZ hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician 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 maintain their equipment and regularly assess its functionality and safety. They are also expected to retain in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Lake Havasu City AZ medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
Radiology Tech Degrees
The primary prerequisite for attending a radiology tech program is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, usually takes 18 months to two years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to complete and is more expansive in scope. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that are appropriate also. One thing to bear in mind is that Lake Havasu City AZ radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can typically be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which many colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any certification or licensing mandates in Arizona or the state you will be working as applicable.
X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing
After you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, depending on the state where you will be employed you might need to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their criteria differ so check with your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but a number approve other options for testing also. A number of states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. However, many Lake Havasu City AZ employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it might 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 calls for re-certification every other year, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.
Online Radiology Technologist Classes
As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree colleges. So while you can still earn your degree online, a significant portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is usually conducted in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online portion of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Lake Havasu City AZ home. Students who keep working while earning their degree often find that the online approach to learning is much more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online colleges are often less expensive than on-campus alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be lessened also. But just confirm that the online program you pick is accredited (more on the advantages 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 option for you.
Topics to Ask X Ray Tech Colleges
After you have selected the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of looking for and assessing Lake Havasu City AZ x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be relevant. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a material factor also. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you consider when reviewing colleges? Well, you should find out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details prior to making your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are assessing.
Are the X-Ray Tech Programs Accredited? A large number of xray tech colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to confirm that the school and program are accredited. Among 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 rigorous review of their instructors and educational materials. If the program is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Lake Havasu City AZ health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level openings.
Are Internships Offered? Inquire if the Arizona xray tech colleges you are interested in have associations with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to get practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help graduates and students form professional connections in the Lake Havasu City AZ medical community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the radiographer schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Lake Havasu City AZ healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they select will have to be within driving distance of their Lake Havasu City AZ home. Those 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 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 typically charge a higher tuition to 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 rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Lake Havasu City AZ colleges you are looking at what the average student to teacher 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 a chance to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program as well.
Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the radiographer program you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Lake Havasu City AZ, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.
Why Did You Want to Become an X-Ray Tech?
When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask radiographer candidates is "What drove you to select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to ready several strategies about how you want to answer them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the abilities 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 a few ideas and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.Pick the Best Radiology Tech School near Lake Havasu City AZ
Selecting the appropriate x-ray tech college is an important first step toward starting a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs often stand for the greater part of the day and move and at times lift the patient to get the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having social skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and provide the best available care to patients. As has been covered in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection. This is equally true whether you enroll in an online program or commute to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each program so you can focus your options and make your decision. And with the right training and your dedication to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Lake Havasu City AZ.
Some Background on Lake Havasu City Arizona
Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Lake Havasu City is a city in Mohave County, Arizona, United States. According to 2010 census, the population of the town is 52,527 people.[2] It is served by Lake Havasu City Airport. Lake Havasu City is geographically isolated from the other cities in Mohave County[4] and is the southernmost community of the Las Vegas–Henderson, NV–AZ combined statistical area.
The community first started as an Army Air Corps rest camp during World War II on the shores of Lake Havasu. In 1958, Robert P. McCulloch purchased 3,353 acres (13.57 km2) of property on the east side of the lake along Pittsburgh Point, the peninsula that eventually would be transformed into "the Island". After four years of planning, McCulloch Properties acquired another 13,000 acres of federal land in the surrounding area. Lake Havasu City was established on September 30, 1963 by a resolution of the Mohave County Board of Supervisors as the Lake Havasu Irrigation and Drainage District, making it a legal entity. (The act is referenced in resolution #63-12-1.) The city was incorporated in 1978.
The London Bridge crosses a narrow channel that leads from Lake Havasu (a segment of the Colorado River) to Thompson Bay (also on the river). It was bought for US $2.5 million from the City of London when the bridge was replaced in 1968. The bridge was disassembled, and the marked stones were shipped to Lake Havasu City and reassembled for another US $7 million. Since its inauguration on October 5, 1971, it has attracted thousands of visitors each year.
McCulloch gave an acre of land to London. When Lake Havasu City wanted to use this land for a visitors' center, it leased it back for a quit rent of a Hopi Kachina figure.[5]
Lake Havasu City is an active destination for a wide range of people. During the spring months, the community is joined by university students during Spring Break. With its reputation as a party community, Lake Havasu has twice been featured during MTV's Spring Break coverage.[6] For boaters, March to September are the prime months on Lake Havasu. The city is also home to the International World Jet Ski Final Races, multiple professional fishing tournaments, custom boat regattas, the Western Winter Blast pyrotechnics convention, Havasu 95 Speedway, the Chilln-n-Swilln Beer Festival annual charity event, the Havasu Triathlon,[7] the Havasu Half Marathon[8] and the Havasu Island Hot Air Balloon Fest & Fair.[9]
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