Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Notre Dame IN 46556 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Pick a Radiologic Technician Degree Program near Notre Dame Indiana

Notre Dame IN x-ray tech internship program Congrats on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Notre Dame IN in order to learn to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have decided to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, 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 considering that most states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you subsequently work you may need training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the colleges you are looking at so that you can compare each program. Most potential students start by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and often gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location need to be taken into account, there are other significant qualifiers as well. For example, you must find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are considering are presented later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a radiologic technician does and the degrees and training choices that are available.

Radiology Tech Career Description

There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, they all have the same principal job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many elect to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, such as mammography. They may practice in Notre Dame IN clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician might 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 regularly assess its functionality and safety. They are additionally expected to keep detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Notre Dame IN medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Tech Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Notre Dame IN The basic requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, usually requires 18 months to two years to finish 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 extensive in nature. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be acceptable as well. Something to bear in mind is that Notre Dame IN radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It may frequently be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Indiana or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, depending on the state where you will be working you may have to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their requirements differ so check with your state. Currently, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but many offer additional options for testing as well. Several states also require certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Notre Dame IN employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could enhance your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technologist Schools

attending x-ray tech school online in Notre Dame 46556 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree colleges. So even though you can still obtain your online degree, a considerable portion of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is usually provided in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your Notre Dame IN residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree typically find that the online approach to learning is far more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online schools are often less expensive than traditional options. Along with reduced tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting can be decreased also. But just confirm that the online program you choose is accredited (more on the benefits 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 right option for you.

Questions to Ask X Ray Tech Schools

After you have selected the kind of degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of looking for and assessing Notre Dame IN x-ray tech schools. You will also need to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be critical. The price of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be a material factor as well. But along with cost and location, what else should you factor in when comparing 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 important details prior to making your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the programs you are considering.

Are the X-Ray Tech Colleges Accredited? Most xray tech schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still imperative to make sure 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 assessment of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Notre Dame IN health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level openings.

Are Internships Provided? Inquire if the Indiana radiology technician colleges you are evaluating have relationships with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific manner to get practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist students and graduates form professional connections in the Notre Dame IN health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help available? 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. Find out if the radiographer programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Notre Dame IN healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Notre Dame IN home. Students who have opted to attend classes online obviously 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 consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even 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 generally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Notre Dame IN colleges you are researching what the average teacher to student 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 several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology tech program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the x-ray tech program you finally select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Notre Dame IN, confirm that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness 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 review questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask radiographer candidates is "What made you pick radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for being an Xray technician, but additionally what qualities and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should ready a number of approaches about how you would like to address them. Because there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the best choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Right Radiology Tech School near Notre Dame IN

Enrolling in the best x-ray technician school is a crucial first step toward launching a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs frequently stand for the majority of the working day and move and in some cases lift the patient to get the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs 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 pleasant work environment and deliver the best available care to patients. As we have covered in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision. This is just as true whether you opt for an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each school so you can focus your options and make your decision. And with the right training and your motivation to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Notre Dame IN.

Some Background on Notre Dame Indiana

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (French: Notre-Dame de Paris) is a French Romantic/Gothic novel by Victor Hugo, published in 1831. The original French title refers to Notre Dame Cathedral, on which the story is centered. English translator Frederic Shoberl named the novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame in 1833 because at the time, Gothic novels were more popular than Romance novels in England.[1] The story is set in Paris, France in the Late Middle Ages, during the reign of Louis XI.

Victor Hugo began writing Notre-Dame de Paris in 1829, largely to make his contemporaries more aware of the value of the Gothic architecture, which was neglected and often destroyed to be replaced by new buildings or defaced by replacement of parts of buildings in a newer style. For instance, the medieval stained glass panels of Notre-Dame de Paris had been replaced by white glass to let more light into the church.[2] This explains the large descriptive sections of the book, which far exceed the requirements of the story. A few years earlier, Hugo had already published a paper entitled Guerre aux Démolisseurs (War to the Demolishers) specifically aimed at saving Paris' medieval architecture.[3] The agreement with his original publisher, Gosselin, was that the book would be finished that same year, but Hugo was constantly delayed due to the demands of other projects. In the summer of 1830, Gosselin demanded that Hugo complete the book by February 1831. Beginning in September 1830, Hugo worked nonstop on the project thereafter. The book was finished six months later.

Paris, 1482. The gypsy Esmeralda (born as Agnés) captures the hearts of many men, including those of Captain Phoebus and Pierre Gringoire, but especially Quasimodo and his guardian Archdeacon Claude Frollo. Frollo is torn between his obsessive lust for Esmeralda and the rules of the Notre Dame Cathedral. He orders Quasimodo to kidnap her, but the hunchback is captured by Phoebus and his guards, who save Esmeralda. Gringoire, who attempted to help Esmeralda but was knocked out by Quasimodo, is about to be hanged by beggars when Esmeralda saves him by agreeing to marry him for four years.

The following day, Quasimodo is sentenced to be flogged and turned on the pillory for one hour, followed by another hour's public exposure. He calls for water. Esmeralda, seeing his thirst, approaches the public stocks and offers him a drink of water. It saves him, and she captures his heart.

Later, Esmeralda is arrested and charged with the attempted murder of Phoebus, whom Frollo actually attempted to kill in jealousy after seeing him trying to seduce Esmeralda. She is sentenced to death by hanging. As she is being led to the gallows, Quasimodo swings down by the bell rope of Notre-Dame and carries her off to the cathedral under the law of sanctuary, temporarily protecting her from arrest.