Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Savannah GA 31401 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Pick an Xray Tech Degree Program near Savannah Georgia

Savannah GA x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Savannah GA so you can train to be a radiology technologist. And now that you have made a decision to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, exactly how do you tackle selecting the ideal college and program so that you will obtain the proper training to become a qualified professional? And considering that the majority of states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you might need preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you research each of the schools you are considering so that you can evaluate each program. Most prospective students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and frequently settle on the lowest cost. But while expense and location should be taken into consideration, there are other important qualifiers as well. For example, you must ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are examining are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic technician does and the credentials and training choices 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 technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the same primary job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many elect to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for instance mammography. They can work in Savannah GA clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech may work with 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 regularly evaluate its performance and safety. They are also required to keep detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Savannah GA medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Savannah GA The standard prerequisite for attending a radiology tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students 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 two years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to complete and is more expansive in nature. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be acceptable also. Something to consider is that Savannah GA radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may frequently be satisfied by taking part in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Georgia or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiographer Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an X-Ray tech school, based on the state where you will be practicing you might have to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria vary so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but several provide additional alternatives for testing also. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. However, numerous Savannah GA employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technician Programs

attending x-ray tech school online in Savannah 31401 As a component of every 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 although you can still earn your online degree, a substantial portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is often carried out in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online section of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your Savannah GA home. Students who continue working while earning their degree often find that the online approach to education is far more practical with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are frequently more affordable than on-campus alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be decreased as well. But just make sure that the online program you pick is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online school may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask X Ray Tech Colleges

As soon as you have selected the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can start the process of searching for and evaluating Savannah GA x-ray technician schools. You will also need to determine if you want to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the school will be relevant. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be an important variable as well. But along with location and cost, what else should you look at when reviewing schools? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide 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 reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Programs Accredited? A large number of xray tech schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to make sure that the school and program 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). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed review of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets 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 ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Savannah GA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the Georgia radiology tech schools you are interested in have relationships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a great manner to receive practical training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist graduates and students establish professional connections in the Savannah GA medical community and help with job placement.

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

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the school they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Savannah GA residence. Students who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often 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.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Savannah GA colleges you are reviewing 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 decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the radiographer college you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Savannah GA, make sure that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option 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 because of work, illness or family emergencies.

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

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask radiographer prospects is "What made you decide on radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming a radiology technician, but additionally what qualities and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you must organize some approaches about how you would like to address them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Radiology Technician College near Savannah GA

Choosing the ideal radiology technician college is an important first step toward starting a satisfying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the greater part of the day and move and at times lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates 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. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing social skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best possible care to patients. As we have covered in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are assessing prior to making your final decision. This is equally true whether you enroll in an online school or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can examine and compare each school so you can focus your choices and make your final choice. And with the appropriate training and your motivation to be successful, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Savannah GA.

Some Background on Savannah Georgia

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah (/səˈvænə/) is the oldest city in the U.S. state of Georgia and is the county seat of Chatham County. Established in 1733 on the Savannah River, the city of Savannah became the British colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia.[4] A strategic port city in the American Revolution and during the American Civil War,[5] Savannah is today an industrial center and an important Atlantic seaport. It is Georgia's fifth-largest city and third-largest metropolitan area.

Each year Savannah attracts millions of visitors to its cobblestone streets, parks, and notable historic buildings: the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low (founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA), the Georgia Historical Society (the oldest continually operating historical society in the South), the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences (one of the South's first public museums), the First African Baptist Church (one of the oldest African-American Baptist congregations in the United States), Temple Mickve Israel (the third oldest synagogue in America), and the Central of Georgia Railway roundhouse complex (the oldest standing antebellum rail facility in America).[4][6]

Savannah's downtown area, which includes the Savannah Historic District, the Savannah Victorian Historic District, and 22 parklike squares, is one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the United States (designated by the U.S. government in 1966).[4][a] Downtown Savannah largely retains the original town plan prescribed by founder James Oglethorpe (a design now known as the Oglethorpe Plan). Savannah was the host city for the sailing competitions during the 1996 Summer Olympics held in Atlanta.

On February 12, 1733,[7]General James Oglethorpe and settlers from the ship Anne landed at Yamacraw Bluff and were greeted by Tomochichi, the Yamacraws, and Indian traders John and Mary Musgrove. Mary Musgrove often served as an interpreter. The city of Savannah was founded on that date, along with the colony of Georgia. In 1751, Savannah and the rest of Georgia became a Royal Colony and Savannah was made the colonial capital of Georgia.[8] By the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, Savannah had become the southernmost commercial port in the Thirteen Colonies. British troops took the city in 1778, and the following year a combined force of American and French soldiers failed to rout the British at the Siege of Savannah. The British did not leave the city until July 1782.[9] Savannah, a prosperous seaport throughout the nineteenth century, was the Confederacy's sixth most populous city and the prime objective of General William T. Sherman's March to the Sea. Early on December 21, 1864, local authorities negotiated a peaceful surrender to save Savannah from destruction, and Union troops marched into the city at dawn.[10]

Savannah was named for the Savannah River, which probably derives from variant names for the Shawnee, a Native American people who migrated to the river in the 1680s. The Shawnee destroyed another Native people, the Westo, and occupied their lands at the head of the Savannah River's navigation on the fall line, near present-day Augusta.[11] These Shawnee, whose Native name was Ša·wano·ki (literally, "southerners"),[12] were known by several local variants, including Shawano, Savano, Savana and Savannah.[13] Another theory is that the name Savannah refers to the extensive marshlands surrounding the river for miles inland, and is derived from the English term "savanna", a kind of tropical grassland, which was borrowed by the English from Spanish sabana and used in the Southern Colonies. (The Spanish word comes from the Taino word zabana.)[14] Still other theories suggest that the name Savannah originates from Algonquian terms meaning not only "southerners" but perhaps "salt".[15][16]