How to Pick an X-Ray Tech School near Groveland Illinois
Congrats on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Groveland IL in order to learn to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have made a decision to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you set about selecting the right school and program so that you will obtain the proper training to become a skilled professional? And since the majority of states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the schools you are considering in order to evaluate each program. A number of prospective students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and often settle on the lowest cost. But while location and cost need to be taken into account, there are other important qualifiers as well. For instance, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the schools you are considering are provided later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a radiologic tech does and the degrees and training choices that are offered.
X-Ray Technician Job Description
There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, they all have the same fundamental job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some opt to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, such as mammography. They can work in Groveland IL hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist 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 maintain their equipment and also frequently assess its performance and safety. They are additionally required to retain in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Groveland IL medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
X-Ray Technician Degrees Available
The standard requirement for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, usually takes 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to complete and is more comprehensive in scope. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be acceptable as well. Something to keep in mind is that Groveland IL radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Illinois or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing
After you have graduated from an Radiologist college, depending on the state where you will be employed you may have to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so get in touch with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but many approve other options for testing also. Several states also call for certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. However, many Groveland IL employers will only hire radiology techs that are certified so it may enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.
Online Radiology Technician Classes
As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree programs. So while you can still obtain your degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is typically conducted in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online segment of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your Groveland IL home. Students who keep working while earning their degree usually find that the online approach to education is far more practical with their active schedules. Plus online programs are frequently cheaper than traditional alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials can be decreased as well. But just make certain that the online college you choose is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online degree may be the best choice for you.
Questions to Ask Radiologic Tech Schools
After you have chosen the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can begin the process of finding and assessing Groveland IL x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to decide if you prefer to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a material factor also. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you look at when comparing colleges? Well, you should check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these important details before you make your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are considering.
Are the Radiology Tech Colleges Accredited? The majority of radiology tech colleges have earned some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still crucial to confirm that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly regarded 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 examination of their teachers and educational materials. If the program is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged 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 securing financial aid and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Groveland IL health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level positions.
Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the Illinois xray technician programs you are evaluating have associations with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to get practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Groveland IL healthcare community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the radiographer programs you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Groveland IL healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will need to be within travelling distance of their Groveland IL home. Those who have chosen 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 importance. Something to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Groveland IL schools you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program also.
Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the radiographer school you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Groveland IL, confirm that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify 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 may miss because of illness, work or family obligations.
Why Did You Decide to Become a Radiology Technician?
When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask radiographer applicants is "What compelled you to pick radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should organize several ideas about how you want to answer them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.Enroll in the Right X-Ray Technician School near Groveland IL
Picking the right radiology tech college is a critical first step toward starting a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs frequently stand for the greater part of the workday and move and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also show a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians 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 available patient care. As has been discussed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you participate in an online program or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each college so you can narrow down your choices and make your decision. And with the right training and your commitment to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Groveland IL.
Some Background on Groveland Illinois
Groveland, Illinois
Groveland is an unincorporated community in Tazewell County, Illinois, United States. It has a small library, a school which is now a church, gas station, war memorial, country store with restaurant and chapel, churches, Pyramid Printing Inc. and a handful of other small businesses. It has approximately 1400 residents and is located near Pekin and Morton. It lies within ten miles of Peoria, near Springfield Road and Edgewater Drive, which is Illinois State Route 98.
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