Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Ringgold GA 30736 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Choose a Radiology Technician Program near Ringgold Georgia

Ringgold GA x-ray tech internship program Congratulations regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Ringgold GA in order to become a radiologic technologist. But now that you have made a decision to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you tackle choosing the ideal school and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a qualified professional? And considering that the majority of states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you subsequently practice you may need training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s imperative that you investigate each of the colleges you are considering in order to compare each program. Most students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and usually settle on the lowest cost. But while location and cost need to be taken into account, there are additional important qualifications also. For instance, you should find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are examining are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology tech does and the credentials and training options that are offered.

X-Ray Technician Occupation Summary

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, they all have the same primary job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some opt to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, such as mammography. They may practice in Ringgold GA clinics, hospitals, 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 must take care of their equipment and routinely evaluate its performance and safety. They are also expected to retain in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Ringgold GA health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Tech Degree Options

x-ray machine in Ringgold GA The basic prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among techs, generally takes 18 months to two years to complete depending on 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 other similar majors that are acceptable also. One thing to keep in mind is that Ringgold GA radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can typically be satisfied by taking part in an externship program which many colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing mandates in Georgia or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, based on the state where you will be practicing you might have to become licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their requirements differ so get in touch with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but several offer other alternatives for testing as well. A number of states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. Having said that, numerous Ringgold GA employers will only hire radiology techs that are certified so it may improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technologist Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Ringgold 30736 As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree schools. So while you can still obtain your degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Clinical training is usually carried out in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online segment of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Ringgold GA residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree often discover that the online style of education is much more practical with their active schedules. Plus online programs are often less costly than conventional alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be lessened also. But just make sure that the online school you select is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online degree may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Radiology Tech Schools

As soon as you have decided on the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of searching for and evaluating Ringgold GA x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or travel to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and secondary expenses will be an important variable also. But along with cost and location, what more should you look at when reviewing schools? Well, you need to find out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these important details prior to making your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the schools you are assessing.

Are the Radiology Tech Colleges Accredited? A large number of xray technician colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to confirm that the program and school 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed examination of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets 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 superior education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Ringgold GA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level positions.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask if the Georgia radiology tech schools you are interested in have partnerships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent manner to receive practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help students and graduates form professional relationships in the Ringgold GA health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Ringgold GA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will need to be within commuting distance of their Ringgold GA residence. Those who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally 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 sort of student that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Ringgold GA schools you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the x-ray tech school you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Ringgold GA, check that they are offered. 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 need to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become an Xray Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's advantageous to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask radiographer prospects is "What made you choose radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to radiography, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to ready some ideas about how you want to respond to them. Since there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Pick the Ideal Radiology Tech School near Ringgold GA

Selecting the appropriate radiology technician degree program is an important first step toward beginning a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs typically stand for the greater part of the day and position 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 adhere to the safety guidelines designed 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. Having social skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. As has been discussed in this report, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are assessing prior to making your final decision. This is equally true whether you participate 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 narrow down your options and make your decision. And with the appropriate education and your commitment to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Ringgold GA.

Some Background on Ringgold Georgia

Ringgold, Georgia

Ringgold is a city in Catoosa County, Georgia, United States. Its population was 3,580 at the 2010 census.[4] It is the county seat of Catoosa County.[5] It is part of the Chattanooga, Tennessee–GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Ringgold was founded in 1846 and incorporated as a city in 1847. It was named after Samuel Ringgold, a hero of the Battle of Palo Alto in the Mexican–American War.[6]

Ringgold is where The General locomotive stopped during the Great Locomotive Chase on April 12, 1862. Ringgold is also home to the historic Ringgold Depot, which still contains bullet marks from the Civil War.

The Battle of Ringgold Gap took place on November 27, 1863. Confederate Major General Patrick Cleburne with 4,100 men used the mountain pass known as the Ringgold Gap to stall the advance of Union Major General Joseph Hooker and his troops. Hooker's troops were over 12,000 strong. It was a Confederate victory because it allowed Confederate artillery and wagon trains to move safely through the Ringgold Gap unharmed while inflicting high Union casualties.

On March 14, 2002, a sudden heavy fog played havoc with morning traffic and contributed to one of the worst traffic pileups in history; 125 vehicles crashed on Interstate 75 North and four people died.[7]