How to Find a Radiology Tech School near Decatur Georgia

Best wishes regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Decatur GA in order to become a radiology technologist. And now that you have made a decision to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, just 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 because the majority of states do mandate that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you might need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you assess each of the colleges you are considering in order to evaluate each program. Most potential students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and often settle on the lowest cost. But while location and cost must be taken into account, there are other important qualifiers as well. For instance, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the schools you are considering are presented later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic tech does and the degrees and training options that are available.

Radiology Tech Career Description

There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, they all have the same primary job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many choose to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They may work in Decatur GA hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech may utilize include:

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

Radiographers have to take care of their equipment and frequently analyze its performance and safety. They are also required to retain in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Decatur GA health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered

The basic requirement for attending a radiology tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. 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 techs, normally requires 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as four years to finish and is more comprehensive in scope. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be appropriate also. One thing to bear in mind is that Decatur GA radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which many schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Georgia or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiographer Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, based on the state where you will be employed you might need to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites differ so get in touch with your state. At present, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but several approve other alternatives for testing also. Some states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Decatur GA employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every other year, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technician Degrees

As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree programs. So although you can still earn your online degree, a large portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is typically performed in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online portion of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Decatur GA residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree typically find that the online style of learning is far more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are generally less expensive than conventional options. Along with reduced tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials may be decreased also. But just confirm 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 structured type of training, then an online school may be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask X Ray Tech Colleges

After you have decided on the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of searching for and evaluating Decatur GA x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to determine if you want to attend classes online or drive to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the college will be important. The cost of tuition and secondary expenses will be an important variable also. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you factor in when evaluating schools? Well, you need to check out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these important details prior to making your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Schools Accredited? A large number of xray tech schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still important to make sure that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly respected 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 undergone a detailed examination of their instructors and educational 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 recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Decatur GA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level openings.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the Georgia radiology technician schools you are reviewing have relationships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a great means to receive hands on training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Decatur GA health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Decatur GA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Decatur GA home. Those who have chosen 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. Something to keep 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 might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Decatur GA colleges you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate 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.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the radiographer  school you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Decatur GA, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Radiologic Technologist?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask radiographer prospects is "What compelled you to decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being a radiology technician, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize several ideas about how you want to address them. Because there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Pick the Best Radiology Technician College near Decatur GA

Selecting the right x-ray technician college is a crucial first step toward starting a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer should be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the greater part of the working day and position and sometimes lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. As has been discussed in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision. This is similarly true whether you decide on an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each college so you can focus your choices and make your final choice. And with the right training and your commitment to be successful, you can achieve your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Decatur GA.

Some Background on Decatur Georgia

 

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