Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Concordia KS 66901 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Choose a Radiologic Tech College near Concordia Kansas

Concordia KS x-ray tech internship program Congrats on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Concordia KS in order to learn to be a radiology technologist. But now that you have made a decision to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, exactly how do you undertake picking the right school and program to ensure that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that most states do require that radiology techs become licensed, based on where you subsequently practice you may need training to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you investigate each of the colleges you are considering so that you can compare each program. Many students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and frequently settle on the lowest cost. But while cost and location should be taken into account, there are additional significant qualifiers as well. For example, you should ask if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are examining are presented later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a radiologic tech does and the credentials and training choices that are offered.

Radiology Technician Career Description

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, each has the identical primary job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many opt to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They can work in Concordia KS hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech 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 care for their equipment and regularly analyze its performance and safety. They are also required to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Concordia KS medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Tech Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Concordia KS The basic requirement for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have received 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 common among techs, normally takes 18 months to two years to complete depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finish and is more expansive in nature. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that are acceptable as well. Something to bear in mind is that Concordia KS radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can typically be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any licensing or certification requirements in Kansas or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an Radiologist program, based on the state where you will be working you might need to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but many provide additional options for testing also. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, many Concordia KS employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every 2 years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Technologist Colleges

attending x-ray tech school online in Concordia 66901 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree colleges. So while you can still earn your degree online, a large portion of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Practical training is typically carried out in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online section of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Concordia KS residence. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree usually find that the online approach to learning is far more practical with their active schedules. Plus online programs are often less costly than conventional options. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials can be lessened also. But just be 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 online classes may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Radiographer Schools

As soon as you have decided on the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of locating and evaluating Concordia KS x-ray tech colleges. You will also have to decide if you want to attend online classes or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be relevant. The price of tuition and ancillary expenses will be an important factor also. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you look at when reviewing schools? 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 selection, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are considering.

Are the X-Ray Technician Schools Accredited? The majority of radiology tech colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still crucial to confirm that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive assessment of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on 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 help in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Concordia KS employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level positions.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out if the Kansas radiology technician schools you are assessing have partnerships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific means to receive hands on training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist students and graduates develop professional connections in the Concordia KS medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Concordia KS healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Concordia KS residence. Those who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. 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 have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Concordia KS schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with a few of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program also.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the radiographer program you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Concordia KS, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be an Xray Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's advantageous to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers typically ask radiographer candidates is "What drove you to choose radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of strategies about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right X-Ray Technician Program near Concordia KS

Choosing the appropriate x-ray tech college is a critical first step toward beginning a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the greater part of the day and position and in some cases lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to adhere to the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing social skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best available patient care. As we have discussed in this report, there are a number of questions that you should ask each program you are considering before making your ultimate decision. This is equally true whether you enroll in an online program or drive to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each college so you can focus your options before making your final choice. And with the right training and your commitment to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Concordia KS.

Some Background on Concordia Kansas

Concordia, Kansas

Concordia is a city in and the county seat of Cloud County, Kansas, United States.[7] It is located along the Republican River in the Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains in north-central Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 5,395.[8] Concordia is home of the Cloud County Community College and the Nazareth Convent and Academy.

Concordia holds the distinction of being elected the county seat before the town was created.[9] The founder of the town, James M. Hagaman had created a complete layout of the town on paper including streets, blocks, courthouse, and parks. The name "Concordia" was chosen because a member of the early group of promoters ("Cap" Snyder) had once lived in Concordia, Missouri.

December 1869 was the first election for the county seat with Concordia, Clyde and the now defunct town Sibley. Without a clear majority, a second election was held between Concordia and Sibley on January 4, 1870. Concordia was declared the winner over Sibley 165 votes to 129.

It was over a year later when Concordia officially became a town when the Republican Land District Office opened on January 16, 1871. The Concordia Land Office continued until February 28, 1889 when it was consolidated with the land office in Topeka, Kansas.

Also in 1871, Concordia elected its first mayor, R. E. Allen. Under his leadership, Concordia was officially incorporated as a third class city under Kansas law in August 1872.