Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Folkston GA 31537 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Select a Radiologic Tech College near Folkston Georgia

Folkston GA x-ray tech internship program Congrats on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Folkston GA so you can train to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have chosen to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you undertake selecting the right college and program to ensure that you will get the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And since the majority of states do require that radiology techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you might require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the colleges you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Many potential students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and usually settle on the most affordable cost. But while expense and location must be taken into account, there are other critical qualifications also. For example, you need to ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are evaluating are provided later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray tech does and the degrees and training choices that are available.

X-Ray Technician Occupation Summary

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the identical primary job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some elect to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They can work in Folkston GA clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician 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 take care of their equipment plus frequently evaluate its performance and safety. They are additionally required to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Folkston GA medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Tech Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Folkston GA The basic requirement for enrolling in an x-ray tech school is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, generally takes 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finish and is more comprehensive in nature. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be acceptable also. Something to consider is that Folkston GA radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by participating in an externship program which a large number of schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Georgia or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing

Once you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, based on the state where you will be working you might have to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria vary so check with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but several accept additional options for testing as well. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is optional. Having said that, numerous Folkston GA employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technician Programs

attending x-ray tech school online in Folkston 31537 As a part 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 colleges. So while you can still earn your degree online, a substantial amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is often carried out in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online section of the training can be attended in the comfort of your Folkston GA residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree usually find that the online approach to education is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are generally cheaper than traditional options. In addition to lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be decreased as well. But just make sure that the online college you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then online classes may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Radiographer Schools

After you have selected the kind of degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of looking for and assessing Folkston GA x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or drive to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be important. The price of tuition and secondary expenditures will be an important factor as well. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you consider when comparing schools? Well, you need to check out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details prior to making your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are considering.

Are the Radiology Tech Colleges Accredited? Most xray technician colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still crucial to make sure that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed review of their instructors and course 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 recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Folkston GA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level openings.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the Georgia radiology tech colleges you are assessing have relationships with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great means to obtain practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist graduates and students establish professional connections in the Folkston GA healthcare community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Folkston GA healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their Folkston GA home. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Folkston GA colleges you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the x-ray tech college you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Folkston GA, make sure 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, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Radiologic Technologist?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers typically ask radiographer candidates is "What made you select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize several approaches about how you want to address them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Radiology Tech College near Folkston GA

Selecting the best x-ray tech school is a critical first step toward starting a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs often stand for the majority of the workday and move and sometimes 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 radiologists and other doctors. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best possible patient care. As we have discussed in this report, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are assessing prior to making your final selection. This is just as true whether you enroll in an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each college so you can focus your options and make your decision. And with the right education and your motivation to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Folkston GA.

Some Background on Folkston Georgia

Folkston, Georgia

Folkston is a city in and the county seat of Charlton County, Georgia, United States.[6][7] Folkston is in the Jacksonville Metropolitan Area. The population was 4,148 as of the 2010 census,[8] up from 2,178 in 2000, largely due to the extension of the city boundary to include D. Ray James Prison.

Folkston was founded on August 19, 1911.[5] The city was named in honor of William Brandon Folks, M.D., a prominent physician and surgeon in his day. In the years 1925 - 1927, many new and commodious residences were built and several modern brick buildings were erected, including the Citizen Bank Block, the Masonic Temple building, a grammar-school building, and a courthouse. Shortly after its creation, the village of Folkston was incorporated as a town government and functioned as a town until 1911 when the area was incorporated as a city. For a number of years, Folkston was the self-proclaimed "Marriage Capital of the World;" Floridians who could not endure their state's waiting period before tying the knot would cross the state line to wed.

Folkston is located near the southern boundary of Georgia at 30°50′4″N 82°0′17″W / 30.83444°N 82.00472°W / 30.83444; -82.00472 (30.834437, -82.004829).[9] U.S. Routes 1, 23, and 301 pass through the city as Second Street, leading south 42 miles (68 km) to Jacksonville, Florida. Route 1 and 23 lead northwest 35 miles (56 km) to Waycross, while Route 301 leads north 55 miles (89 km) to Jesup. The eastern entrance to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is 11 miles (18 km) southwest of Folkston via GA 23 and GA 121.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Folkston has a total area of 4.2 square miles (10.9 km2), all land.[8]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 2,502 people residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 50.0% Black, 45.4% White, 0.1% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.0% from some other race and 2.3% from two or more races. 1.0% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.