How to Pick an Xray Technician School near Jacksonville Arkansas
Congratulations regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Jacksonville AR so you can learn to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have made a decision to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, exactly how do you set about selecting the right college and program to ensure that you will get the proper training to become a qualified professional? And since most states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you may need preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s essential that you assess each of the schools you are considering in order to evaluate each program. A number of prospective students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and typically settle on the lowest cost. But while location and cost need to be taken into consideration, there are other critical qualifiers also. For instance, you need to ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are evaluating are presented later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a x-ray tech does and the degrees and training choices that are offered.
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X-Ray Technician Occupation Summary
There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the identical primary job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many choose to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, such as mammography. They may practice in Jacksonville AR hospitals, clinics, private 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 must care for their equipment and also regularly assess its performance and safety. They are also expected to retain detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Jacksonville AR medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
X-Ray Technician Degree Options
The primary requirement for attending a radiology tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, generally requires 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as 4 years to complete and is more comprehensive in nature. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be appropriate also. Something to bear in mind is that Jacksonville AR radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can typically be satisfied by participating in an externship program which a large number of schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Arkansas or the state you will be working as applicable.
Radiographer Certification and Licensing
After you have graduated from an X-Ray tech program, depending on the state where you will be working you may need to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites differ 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 exam for the purpose of licensing, but several approve additional alternatives for testing as well. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. However, many Jacksonville AR employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it may increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.
Online Radiology Technologist Degrees
As a component of any 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 while you can still earn your degree online, a substantial amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is often carried out in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online segment of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Jacksonville AR residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree usually find that the online approach to learning is far more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online schools are often cheaper than conventional alternatives. Along with lower tuition, costs for commuting and study materials can be reduced as well. But just make sure that the online college you choose is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online school may be the best choice for you.
Topics to Ask X Ray Tech Programs
As soon as you have selected the type of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of searching for and assessing Jacksonville AR x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to determine if you want to attend online classes or drive to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be important. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be a determining variable also. But along with location and cost, what else should you look at when evaluating colleges? Well, you should find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details prior to making your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are assessing.
Are the X-Ray Technician Colleges Accredited? Most radiology technician colleges have acquired some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still important to verify that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous examination of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Jacksonville AR health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level jobs.
Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the Arkansas xray tech programs you are reviewing have partnerships with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to receive hands on training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Jacksonville AR medical community and assist with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Jacksonville AR healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Jacksonville AR residence. Those who have chosen to attend online classes obviously 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 bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit far in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Jacksonville AR colleges you are looking at what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program as well.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the radiographer program you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Jacksonville AR, check that they are offered. 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, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Why Did You Choose to Become a Radiology Technician?
When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask radiographer applicants is "What made you select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being an X-Ray tech, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to radiography, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare some ideas about how you would like to answer them. Since there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.Enroll in the Right X-Ray Tech College near Jacksonville AR
Picking the best x-ray tech school is an important first step toward launching a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. Radiology techs regularly stand for the greater part of the working day and position and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best possible care to patients. As we have covered in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision. This is equally true whether you participate in an online school or drive to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each school so you can focus your options before making your decision. And with the right education and your commitment to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Jacksonville AR.
Some Background on Jacksonville Arkansas
Jacksonville, Arkansas
Jacksonville is a city in Pulaski County, Arkansas, United States, and a suburb of Little Rock. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 28,364.[3] It is part of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area with 729,135 people as of 2014.
The city is named for Nicholas Jackson, a landowner who deeded the land for the railroad right-of-way to the Cairo & Fulton Railroad in 1870. The community evolved from the settlement surrounding the railroad depot, eventually incorporating in 1941. In 1941, construction began on the Arkansas Ordnance Plant (AOP), which served as the primary facility for the development of fuses and detonators for World War II.[4] Following the war, AOP ceased operations and the land was sold for commercial interests, including the development of the Little Rock Air Force Base in 1955. Today, portions of AOP still remain, including the Arkansas Ordnance Plant Guard House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Jacksonville Museum of Military History. Despite Pulaski County being an Arkansas county that is not a "dry" county, as it allows the sales of beer and liquor, the municipal limits of Jacksonville are "moist", as it does not allow the sales of alcohol in stores, but allows the sale of alcohol in some restaurants with special permits.
Jacksonville is located at 34°52′13″N 92°6′55″W / 34.87028°N 92.11528°W / 34.87028; -92.11528 (34.870345, −92.115164).[5]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 28.2 square miles (73.1 km2), of which 28.1 square miles (72.8 km2) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.3 km2), or 0.42%, is water.[6]
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 29,916 people, 10,890 households, and 8,004 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,134.2 people per square mile (437.9/km²). There were 11,890 housing units at an average density of 450.8 per square mile (174.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.17% White, 27.88% Black or African American, 0.50% Native American, 1.98% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 2.58% from two or more races. 6.24% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
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