Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Park Ridge IL 60068 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Pick an Xray Technician Degree Program near Park Ridge Illinois

Park Ridge IL x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Park Ridge IL in order to learn to be a radiologic technician. But now that you have made a decision to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, just how do you go about choosing the right school and program to ensure that you will get the appropriate training to become a qualified practitioner? And because the majority of states do require that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you may require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s imperative that you investigate each of the schools you are looking at so that you can compare each program. A number of prospective students start by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and usually settle on the most affordable cost. But while expense and location need to be taken into consideration, there are other important qualifications also. For example, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the schools you are evaluating are provided later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology technician does and the credentials and training options that are available.

X-Ray Tech Career Description

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 identical principal job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many elect to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They may work in Park Ridge IL 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 have to take care of their equipment and frequently analyze its functionality and safety. They are additionally required to keep in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Park Ridge IL medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Tech Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Park Ridge IL The standard requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, usually requires 18 months to two years to finish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 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 appropriate as well. One thing to keep in mind is that Park Ridge IL radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may often be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which a large number of colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Illinois or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, depending on the state where you will be practicing you may have to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their prerequisites differ so get in touch with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but a number accept additional options for testing as well. Some states also call for certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. However, numerous Park Ridge IL employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Tech Schools

attending x-ray tech school online in Park Ridge 60068 As a part 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 even though you can still earn your degree online, a large portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an internship off-campus. Practical training is typically provided in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online section of the training can be attended in the comfort of your Park Ridge IL home. Students who continue working while earning their degree often find that the online style of education is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are generally cheaper than traditional options. Along with reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials can be reduced also. But just make certain that the online program you select is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online degree may be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Radiology Tech Schools

Once you have decided on the kind of degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of looking for and evaluating Park Ridge IL x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to decide if you prefer to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be a determining variable also. But along with location and cost, what else should you factor in when evaluating schools? Well, you need to ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details before you make your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are assessing.

Are the Radiology Tech Programs Accredited? The majority of xray technician colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to confirm that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly respected 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 evaluation of their instructors and educational materials. If the program is online it can also obtain 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. In addition to ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Park Ridge IL employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out if the Illinois radiology tech colleges you are evaluating have relationships with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific manner to obtain practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist graduates and students form professional relationships in the Park Ridge IL medical community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Park Ridge IL healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Park Ridge IL home. Students who have chosen 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 concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Park Ridge IL schools you are reviewing what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program also.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the radiographer college you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Park Ridge IL, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Desire to Become an Xray Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask radiographer candidates is "What drove you to pick radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must ready several approaches about how you want to address them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Right Radiology Tech Program near Park Ridge IL

Selecting the appropriate radiology technician degree program is an important first step toward beginning a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs often stand for the greater part of the day and position and in some cases lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having social skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best possible care to patients. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each school you are considering prior to making your final selection. This is similarly true whether you decide on an online program or drive to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each program so you can narrow down your options before making your decision. And with the proper training and your commitment to succeed, you can realize your goal to work as a radiology tech in Park Ridge IL.

Some Background on Park Ridge Illinois

Park Ridge, Illinois

Park Ridge is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States, and a Chicago suburb. The population was 37,480 at the 2010 census.[2] It is located 15 miles (24 km) northwest of downtown Chicago. It is close to O'Hare International Airport, major expressways, and rail transportation. It is a part of the Chicago metropolitan area, bordering three northwestern neighborhoods of Chicago's Far North Side (Edison Park, Norwood Park, and O'Hare.)

As its name suggests, Park Ridge lies on a ridge. The soil is abundant with clay deposits, which made it a brick-making center for the developing city of Chicago. Park Ridge was originally called Pennyville to honor George Penny, the businessman who owned the local brickyard along with Robert Meacham. Later it was named Brickton.[4] The Des Plaines River divides Park Ridge from neighboring Des Plaines, Illinois, which is west of Park Ridge. Chicago is south and east of Park Ridge, and Niles and unincorporated Maine Township are to its north.[5]

The area of Park Ridge was inhabited by the Potawatomie until they were removed in 1833. The area was a convenient portage between the Des Plaines and Chicago rivers for the French explorers and in the early 1830s, the first settlers arrived from New England and New York. In 1854 George Penny established a brickworks in the area. In 1910 Park Ridge had a population of 2,009. In 1930 the population was 10,417. In 1950 the population was 16,602. In 1960 the population was 32,625, with 99.9% of the population white. There were five African-Americans and 31 people classed other than black or white. By 1970, the population had risen to 42,466.[6] In 2016, Hillary Rodham Clinton campaigned as the Democratic candidate for President of the United States. She was a graduate of the first class of Park Ridge's Maine Township High School South (1965).[7]

According to the 2010 census, Park Ridge has a total area of 7.134 square miles (18.48 km2), of which 7.09 square miles (18.36 km2) (or 99.38%) is land and 0.044 square miles (0.11 km2) (or 0.62%) is water.[8]

Park Ridge falls under the USDA 5b Plant Hardiness zone.[9]