Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Newtown CT 06470

How to Select a Radiologic Technician College near Newtown Connecticut

Newtown CT x-ray tech internship programBest wishes regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Newtown CT so you can train to be a radiologic technician. But now that you have decided to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you tackle choosing the ideal college and program to ensure that you will get the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And since most states do mandate that x-ray technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you might require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you assess each of the colleges you are looking at in order to compare each program. A number of prospective students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and typically settle on the most affordable cost. But while expense and location must be taken into account, there are other critical qualifiers as well. For instance, you should find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are examining are presented later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiology technician does and the credentials and education options that are offered.

Radiology Tech Career Summary

There are multiple 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, they all have the identical major job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some choose to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They can work in Newtown CT hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech might work with 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 plus frequently analyze its functionality and safety. They are also expected to keep in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Newtown CT medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Technician Degrees Available

x-ray machine in Newtown CTThe basic prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech school 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 prevalent among technicians, usually takes 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as four years to complete and is more extensive in scope. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be acceptable as well. One thing to keep in mind is that Newtown CT radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may typically be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Connecticut or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, depending on the state where you will be working you may have to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their prerequisites vary so contact your state. At present, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many accept additional alternatives for testing also. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is optional. Having said that, numerous Newtown CT employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every other year, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technologist Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Newtown 06470As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree programs. So although you can still earn your online degree, a significant portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is usually performed in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online section of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Newtown CT residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree often find that the online style of education is far more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online schools are often cheaper than on-campus options. In addition to lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be reduced as well. But just make certain that the online college you choose is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online degree may be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Radiology Tech Schools

When you have selected the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can start the process of locating and evaluating Newtown CT x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be important. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be an important variable also. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you look at when comparing colleges? Well, you should find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these essential details before you make your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you must ask the schools you are considering.

Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? Most radiology technician schools have earned some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still important to confirm that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly respected 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 examination of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Newtown CT employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry-level openings.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the Connecticut radiology technician colleges you are interested in have associations with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to obtain hands on training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help graduates and students establish professional connections in the Newtown CT health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Newtown CT healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Newtown CT home. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you decide 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 frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Newtown CT colleges you are researching what the typical student to teacher 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 talk 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 need to confirm that the x-ray tech  school you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Newtown CT, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Radiologic Technologist?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's advantageous to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask radiographer prospects is "What compelled you to choose radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Radiology Technician Program near Newtown CT

Choosing the appropriate x-ray tech college is an important first step toward initiating a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs often stand for the majority of the day and position and at times lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians 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 available patient care. As has been addressed in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each program you are looking at before making your final decision. This is just as true whether you opt for an online school or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each college so you can narrow down your options and make your decision. And with the appropriate training and your commitment to be successful, you can reach your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Newtown CT.

Some Background on Newtown Connecticut

Newtown, Connecticut

Newtown is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is part of the greater Danbury metropolitan area as well as the New York metropolitan area. Newtown was founded in 1705 and later incorporated in 1711. As of the 2010 census, its population was 27,560.[1]

In 1705, English colonists purchased the Town site from the Pohtatuck Indians, a branch of the Pasgussett. It was originally known as Quanneapague. Settled by migrants from Stratford and incorporated in 1711, Newtown residents had many business and trading ties with the English. It was a stronghold of Tory sentiment during the early Revolutionary War. Late in the war, French General Rochambeau and his troops encamped here in 1781 during their celebrated march on their way to the siege of Yorktown, Virginia, which ended the Revolution.[3]

An important crossroads throughout its early history, the village of Hawleyville briefly emerged as a railroad center. The town's population grew to over 4,000 circa 1881. In the following decades, the population dwindled to a low of 2,635 in 1930 before again growing.[4]

Local industry has included the manufacture of furniture, tea bags, combs, fire hoses, folding boxes, buttons, and hats, as well as farming, and mica and feldspar mining. The game of "Scrabble" was developed here by James Brunot.[5]

From the period of highway development and suburbanization following World War II, the town has developed as a suburb of Danbury, with many people also commuting to Norwalk, Stamford, and Bridgeport.

 

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