Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Concord GA 30206 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Pick an X-Ray Tech College near Concord Georgia

Concord GA x-ray tech internship program Congrats on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Concord GA in order to become a radiology technologist. But now that you have made a decision to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you undertake choosing the ideal college and program to ensure that you will obtain the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And since the majority of states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you may require preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s essential that you research each of the colleges you are considering so that you can evaluate each program. Most potential students start by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and usually gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while location and cost must be taken into account, there are other significant qualifiers also. For instance, you must ask 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 reviewing are provided later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a radiology technician does and the credentials and education options that are available.

X-Ray Technician Job Summary

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the identical principal job function, which is to utilize 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 choose to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for instance mammography. They may work in Concord GA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician may utilize include:

Traditional and specialized X-Rays
Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Sonography or ultrasound
Fluoroscopy

Radiographers must maintain their equipment and frequently evaluate its functionality and safety. They are also required to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Concord GA health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Tech Degrees

x-ray machine in Concord GA The basic requirement for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, generally requires 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finish and is more comprehensive in scope. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that may be acceptable as well. One thing to bear in mind is that Concord GA radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may often be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which a large number of schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any licensing or certification requirements in Georgia or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiographer Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an Radiologist school, based on the state where you will be employed you might have to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their requirements differ 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 purpose of licensing, but several provide other alternatives for testing also. Several states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is optional. Having said that, numerous Concord GA employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it might improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technician Colleges

attending x-ray tech school online in Concord 30206 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree colleges. So even though you can still earn your online degree, a substantial amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a school 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 segment of the training can be attended in the comfort of your Concord GA home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree typically discover that the online style of education is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are generally less expensive than conventional alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials can be lessened as well. But just make sure that the online school you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online degree may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask X Ray Tech Schools

As soon as you have selected the kind of degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of locating and evaluating Concord GA x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to decide if you want to attend classes online or drive to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and secondary expenses will be an important variable also. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you factor in when comparing schools? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these essential details prior to making your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are assessing.

Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of xray technician schools have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to verify that the program and school 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 undergone a rigorous review of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it may 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. Besides guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Concord GA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry level positions.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out if the Georgia xray technician schools you are evaluating have partnerships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to obtain hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are also a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist students and graduates establish professional connections in the Concord GA medical community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the radiographer schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Concord GA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Concord GA home. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Concord GA colleges you are reviewing what the average 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 some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program also.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the radiographer program you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Concord GA, make certain that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Radiologic Technologist?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to choose radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for being an X-Ray tech, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must ready some approaches about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down a few ideas and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Radiology Technician Program near Concord GA

Enrolling in the right x-ray technician school is an important first step toward beginning a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer should be in good physical shape. Radiology techs frequently stand for the majority of the workday and position and sometimes lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to observe the safety guidelines developed 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 interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and provide the best available care to patients. As we have addressed in this report, there are several questions that you need to ask each school you are looking at before making your final decision. This is just as true whether you enroll in an online program or commute to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each college so you can focus your options and make your decision. And with the appropriate education and your dedication to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiographer in Concord GA.