Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Crystal Lake IL 60012

How to Select an X-Ray Technician College near Crystal Lake Illinois

Crystal Lake IL x-ray tech internship program Congrats on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Crystal Lake IL so you can learn to be a radiology technologist. And now that you have chosen to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you go about choosing the right college and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And because most states do require that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you may require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s imperative that you investigate each of the colleges you are considering so that you can compare each program. A number of students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and frequently settle on the most affordable cost. But while expense and location need to be considered, there are additional significant qualifiers also. For example, you should ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the schools you are reviewing are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology technician does and the degrees and education choices that are offered.

X-Ray Tech Career Summary

There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the same fundamental job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some elect to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, such as mammography. They may practice in Crystal Lake IL hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician 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 maintain their equipment plus routinely analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally required to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Crystal Lake IL medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degree Options

x-ray machine in Crystal Lake IL The basic prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, generally takes 18 months to 2 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 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 keep in mind is that Crystal Lake IL radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may often be satisfied by taking part in an externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing requirements in Illinois or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiographer Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an Radiologist school, based on the state where you will be practicing you may need to become licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary so contact your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but many accept other alternatives for testing as well. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Crystal Lake IL employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Tech Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Crystal Lake 60012 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 programs. So while you can still earn your online degree, a significant portion of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off-campus. Practical training is typically performed in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online segment of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Crystal Lake IL home. Students who keep working while earning their degree often find that the online style of education is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are often less costly than conventional options. In addition to lower tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting may be reduced as well. But just confirm that the online college you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages 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 Radiology Tech Schools

As soon as you have decided on the type of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of looking for and assessing Crystal Lake IL x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be critical. The price of tuition and supplementary expenses will be a material factor also. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you factor in when reviewing schools? Well, you need to check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details prior to making your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you must ask the programs you are looking at.

Are the Radiology Tech Schools Accredited? A large number of xray technician schools have received some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative 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). Schools earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a rigorous examination of their instructors and educational 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 agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Crystal Lake IL employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level positions.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the Illinois xray technician colleges you are reviewing have associations with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific manner to obtain practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help students and graduates form professional relationships in the Crystal Lake IL medical community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are assessing 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 great relationships with Crystal Lake IL healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Crystal Lake IL residence. Students who have opted 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 importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Crystal Lake IL colleges you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the radiographer program you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Crystal Lake IL, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Radiology Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers typically ask radiographer applicants is "What made you pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming a radiology technician, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare some strategies about how you want to answer them. Given that there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Select the Ideal X-Ray Tech Program near Crystal Lake IL

Choosing the ideal x-ray tech school is an important first step toward starting a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs typically stand for the greater part of the day and position and at times lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety guidelines developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best possible patient care. As we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each school you are considering before making your ultimate selection. This is equally true whether you participate in an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each school so you can narrow down your options before making your final choice. And with the appropriate training and your dedication to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Crystal Lake IL.

Some Background on Crystal Lake Illinois

Crystal Lake, Illinois

Crystal Lake is a city in McHenry County in the U.S. state of Illinois. Named after a lake 1.6 miles (2.6 km) southwest of the city's downtown, Crystal Lake is 45 miles northwest of Chicago.[4] The population was 40,743 in 2010.[5] Crystal Lake is the largest city in McHenry County, part of the Chicago metropolitan area.[6]

The City of Crystal Lake traces its origin to two separate communities which were established in the 1800s. Those communities were generally known as Nunda and Crystal Lake. In 1835, Ziba S. Beardsley had come to the shores of the lake and commented that the "waters were as clear as crystal", thereby giving the lake its name. Ziba Beardsley continued south to Naperville. In February 1836, the first white settlers, Beman and Polly Crandall and six of their ten children, came from New York State traveling to Crystal Lake in a covered wagon. Their original cabin was built in the vicinity of today's intersection of Virginia Street and Van Buren Street. Four of the Crandall children were born there. Najah Beardsley's family was the second to settle in the area; his grandson, William Beardsley, was the first white child born on the Crystal Lake prairie, on May 7, 1837.[7]

The town was first known as Crystal Ville. It was changed to Crystal Lake sometime before 1840. The area known today as downtown Crystal Lake was first called Dearborn and later, Nunda, from an area in New York where many settlers originated. The village of Dearborn was founded in the 1850s after an extension of railroads through the area. The first train station was built in 1856, although it was pre-fabricated and shipped from Chicago on a flatcar. At that time, the main business district for the village of Crystal Lake was located on Virginia Street, about one mile (1.6 km) southwest of the railroad station. The railroad served to connect both the people and industries of Crystal Lake and Dearborn to Chicago and the rest of the country. Dearborn grew quickly due to this new rail connection.[citation needed]

On October 7, 1868, Dearborn's name was changed to Nunda. The village was platted in 1868 by local surveyor, John Brink, after whom a downtown street is now named. The village included the area now generally bounded by Illinois Route 176 on the north, Crystal Lake Avenue on the south, Main Street on the east, and Walkup Avenue on the west. Much of the land was originally owned by two early settlers, Daniel Ellsworth and Simon S. Gates. The villages of Crystal Lake and Nunda were both incorporated in 1874. In 1908, the name of the village of Nunda changed its name to North Crystal Lake. Several attempts were made to consolidate the two villages, and finally, after much disagreement, the village of North Crystal Lake was annexed to the Village of Crystal Lake in 1914, and a consolidated city government was established.[8]

Back in the 1860s, when the town of Crystal Lake was about 25 years old, Charles S. Dole purchased over 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) of land overlooking the lake. It was his dream to construct an elaborate estate that would reflect his position as a successful businessman. He was an early member of the Chicago Board of Trade, being associated with Armour, Dole & Co. in Chicago. To carry out his plan, he built a three-story mansion with adjoining gardens and stables. European craftsmen were imported to lay parquet floors, fashion archways and carve interior wood work from black walnut trees grown on the property. As a final touch, he brought in Italian artisans to build several marble fireplaces. According to Mr. Dole's obituary, construction costs exceeded $100,000, an enormous amount of money in those days.[7]