Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Lagrange GA 30240 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Choose a Radiologic Tech Degree Program near Lagrange Georgia

Lagrange GA x-ray tech internship program Congrats regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Lagrange GA so you can learn to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have chosen to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you set about picking the ideal college and program to ensure that you will get the proper training to become a qualified professional? And since the majority of states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you might require training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you investigate each of the colleges you are considering in order to compare each program. Many prospective students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and typically settle on the lowest cost. But while expense and location should be taken into account, there are additional critical qualifications also. For instance, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are examining are provided later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray technician does and the credentials and training options that are available.

Radiology Technician Work Summary

There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). 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 use imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many opt to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for instance mammography. They may work in Lagrange GA hospitals, clinics, family 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 evaluate its performance and safety. They are also expected to keep detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Lagrange GA medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Tech Degrees

x-ray machine in Lagrange GA The standard requirement for enrolling in an x-ray tech school is to have attained 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 common among techs, generally takes 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as four years to finish and is more comprehensive in nature. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are appropriate as well. One thing to bear in mind is that Lagrange GA radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their area. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Georgia or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an X-Ray tech school, based on the state where you will be employed you may have to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their requirements vary so check with your state. Currently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but many accept other options for testing as well. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. However, many Lagrange GA 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 approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Tech Colleges

attending x-ray tech school online in Lagrange 30240 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 schools. So even though you can still earn your online degree, a considerable amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is typically provided in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online section of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your Lagrange GA home. Students who continue working while earning their degree usually discover that the online approach to learning is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are often cheaper than conventional alternatives. Along with lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be decreased also. But just make sure that the online program you select 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 school may be the right option for you.

What to Ask X Ray Tech Colleges

After you have selected the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can start the process of searching for and assessing Lagrange GA x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be critical. The price of tuition and secondary expenses will be an important variable as well. But along with cost and location, what else should you factor in when evaluating schools? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these essential details before you make your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Tech Schools Accredited? The majority of xray technician colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still imperative to confirm that the program and school are accredited. Among 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 detailed assessment of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Lagrange GA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level openings.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Inquire if the Georgia xray tech colleges you are assessing have associations with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a great way to get practical experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Lagrange GA healthcare community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Lagrange GA healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Lagrange GA residence. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern 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 college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically 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 Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Lagrange GA schools you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program also.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the radiographer school you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Lagrange GA, make sure that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Want to Be an X-Ray Tech?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask radiographer candidates is "What made you pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming a radiology technician, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare several strategies about how you want to answer them. Since there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Radiology Tech School near Lagrange GA

Choosing the ideal x-ray technician college is an important first step toward initiating a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs often stand for the majority of the working day and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to observe the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and deliver the best possible patient care. As we have addressed in this report, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are assessing before making your final selection. This is similarly true whether you enroll in an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each program so you can narrow down your choices and make your decision. And with the appropriate training and your dedication to be successful, you can realize your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Lagrange GA.

Some Background on Lagrange Georgia

LaGrange, Georgia

LaGrange is a city and the county seat of Troup County, Georgia, United States. The population of the city was estimated to be 30,452 in 2013 by the U.S. Census Bureau.[5] It is the principal city of the LaGrange, Georgia Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Gainesville, Georgia-Alabama (part) Combined Statistical Area. It is about 60 miles southwest of Atlanta and located in the foothills of the Georgia Piedmont.[6]

LaGrange is home to LaGrange College, the oldest private college in the state. Started as a girls' academy, it has been affiliated since the late 19th century with the Methodist Church, and what is now the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. The city's proximity to West Point Lake, a few miles to the west, helps attract bass fishermen and water sports enthusiasts to the city.[7]

The Troup County Courthouse, Annex, and Jail, built in 1939, is one of LaGrange's properties that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

LaGrange is named after the country estate near Paris of the wife of the Marquis de La Fayette. When La Fayette, a Revolutionary War hero, visited Georgia in 1825 on a national tour, he remarked on the similarity of local topography to his wife's property.[6]

The European-American settlement of LaGrange began in the early 19th century, soon after the territory was ceded to the United States by the Creek Indians and the territorial legislature established Troup County. The city was incorporated in December 1828.[6] The area was developed for cotton plantations, and planters migrating from the eastern areas of the South brought along or bought enslaved African Americans in the domestic slave trade to use as laborers.