Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Athens GA 30601 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Pick an X-Ray Tech School near Athens Georgia

Athens GA x-ray tech internship program Congratulations regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Athens GA so you can learn to be a radiology technician. But now that you have decided to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you set about picking the right college and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a qualified professional? And since most states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you may require preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the schools you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. Most prospective students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and typically gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while cost and location need to be taken into account, there are other significant qualifications as well. For example, you must find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are examining are provided later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiology tech does and the degrees and training options that are available.

Radiology Tech Career Description

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, they all have the identical fundamental job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some choose to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for instance mammography. They can practice in Athens GA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist might utilize 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 plus regularly assess its functionality and safety. They are also expected to keep complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Athens GA health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Tech Degrees

x-ray machine in Athens GA The primary requirement for attending a radiology tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, normally takes 18 months to two years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as four years to finish and is more expansive in scope. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are acceptable also. One thing to keep in mind is that Athens GA radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can frequently be satisfied by taking part in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Georgia or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiographer Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an x-ray technician school, based on the state where you will be employed you may need to become licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites differ so contact your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but a number accept additional options for testing as well. Some states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. Having said that, many Athens GA employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technician Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Athens 30601 As a component of every 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 schools. So while you can still obtain your online degree, a significant portion of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is usually performed in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online portion of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Athens GA home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree usually find that the online approach to education is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online programs are often less costly than on-campus alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials may be reduced as well. But just make certain that the online college you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online school may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Radiology Tech Schools

As soon as you have chosen the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of locating and assessing Athens GA x-ray tech schools. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or drive to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a determining variable as well. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you consider when evaluating schools? Well, you should ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these important details prior to making your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are assessing.

Are the X-Ray Tech Schools Accredited? A large number of radiology technician colleges have acquired some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still important to make sure that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Athens GA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level positions.

Are Internships Offered? Find out if the Georgia radiology tech programs you are evaluating have partnerships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to obtain hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist students and graduates establish professional connections in the Athens GA medical community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Athens GA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Athens GA home. Students who have chosen to attend online classes obviously 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 bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Athens GA colleges you are considering 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 decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the radiographer program you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Athens GA, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have 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 emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Radiology Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask radiographer prospects is "What made you choose radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must organize some ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Pick the Best Radiology Tech College near Athens GA

Enrolling in the best x-ray tech college is a critical first step toward beginning a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical shape. Radiology techs regularly stand for the majority of the day and move and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing social skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. As we have covered in this report, there are several questions that you need to ask each school you are reviewing before making your final decision. This is just as true whether you opt for an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each school so you can narrow down your choices before making your final choice. And with the appropriate education and your motivation to be successful, you can reach your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Athens GA.

Some Background on Athens Georgia

Athens, Georgia

Athens (formally known as Athens-Clarke County) is a consolidated city–county in the U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state about an hour's drive from the global city of Atlanta. It comprises the former city of Athens proper (the county seat) and Clarke County. The University of Georgia, the state's flagship public research university, is located in this college town, and contributed to its initial growth. In 1991, after a vote the preceding year, the original city abandoned its charter to form a unified government with Clarke County, referred to jointly as Athens-Clarke County.[2] As of the 2010 census, the consolidated city-county (including all of Athens-Clarke County except Winterville and a portion of Bogart) had a total population of 115,452; all of Clarke County had a population of 116,714.[3] Athens is the sixth-largest city in Georgia, and the principal city of the Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area,[4] which had a population of 192,541 as of the 2010 census.[5] Athens-Clarke County has the smallest geographical area of a county in Georgia.[citation needed]

In the late 18th century, a trading settlement on the banks of the Oconee River called Cedar Shoals stood where Athens is located today. On January 27, 1785, the Georgia General Assembly granted a charter by Abraham Baldwin for the University of Georgia as the first state-supported university. Sixteen years later, in 1801, a committee from the university's board of trustees selected a site for the university on a hill above Cedar Shoals, in what was then Jackson County. On July 25, John Milledge, one of the trustees and later governor of Georgia, bought 633 acres (256 ha) from Daniel Easley and donated it to the university. Milledge named the surrounding area Athens after the city that was home to the Platonic Academy of Plato and Aristotle in Greece.[6]

The first buildings on the University of Georgia campus were made from logs. The town grew as lots adjacent to the college were sold to raise money for the additional construction of the school. By the time the first class graduated from the university in 1804, Athens consisted of three homes, three stores, and a few other buildings facing Front Street, now known as Broad Street. Completed in 1806 and named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, Franklin College was the first permanent structure of the University of Georgia and of the city of Athens. This brick building is now known as Old College.

Athens officially became a town in December 1806 with a government made up of a three-member commission.[7] The university continued to grow, as did the town, with cotton mills fueling the industrial and commercial development. Athens became known as the "Manchester of the South" after the city in England known for its mills. In 1833 a group of Athens businessmen led by James Camak, tired of their wagons getting stuck in the mud, built one of Georgia's first railroads, the Georgia, connecting Athens to Augusta by 1841, and to Marthasville (now Atlanta) by 1845. In the 1830s and 1840s, transportation developments combined with the growing influence of the University of Georgia made Athens one of the state's most important cities as the antebellum era neared the height of its development. The university essentially created a chain reaction of growth in the community which developed on its doorstep.[8]

During the American Civil War, Athens became a significant supply center when the New Orleans armory was relocated there to what is now called the Chicopee building. Fortifications can still be found along parts of the North Oconee River between College and Oconee St. In addition, Athens played a small part in the ill-fated Stoneman's Raid when a skirmish was fought on a site overlooking the Middle Oconee River near what is now the old Macon Highway.[9] As in many southern towns, there is a Confederate memorial. It is located on Broad Street, near the University of Georgia Arch.