Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Galena KS 66739 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Pick a Radiology Tech School near Galena Kansas

Galena KS x-ray tech internship program Congrats on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Galena KS in order to learn to be a radiology technologist. But now that you have decided to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you set about picking the right school and program so that you will get the proper training to become a skilled professional? And because most states do require that radiology techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you may require training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the schools you are looking at in order to compare each program. Most prospective students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and often gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while cost and location need to be considered, there are other important qualifiers as well. For example, you must ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are reviewing are provided later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a x-ray technician does and the degrees and training options that are offered.

Radiology Technician Occupation Description

There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the identical fundamental job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many opt to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, such as mammography. They may work in Galena KS hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician might utilize include:

Traditional and specialized X-Rays
Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Sonography or ultrasound
Fluoroscopy

Radiographers must take care of their equipment plus regularly analyze its functionality and safety. They are also expected to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Galena KS health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Tech Degrees

x-ray machine in Galena KS The primary prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, usually requires 18 months to two years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as four years to finish and is more comprehensive in scope. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that are appropriate also. Something to keep in mind is that Galena KS radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It may often be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which many schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification requirements in Kansas or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiographer Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an Radiologist school, based on the state where you will be employed you might need to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria vary so contact your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but a number accept additional options for testing also. A number of states also require certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Galena KS employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Technician Schools

attending x-ray tech school online in Galena 66739 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 programs. So although you can still earn your online degree, a large portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an internship off-campus. Practical training is often provided in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online portion of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Galena KS home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree typically discover that the online approach to education is much more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are often less expensive than traditional alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But just confirm that the online program you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online school may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask X Ray Tech Programs

When you have chosen the kind of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of searching for and assessing Galena KS x-ray tech colleges. You will also have to determine if you want to attend online classes or drive to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be an important factor also. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you look at when evaluating colleges? Well, you should check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these crucial details prior to making your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are reviewing.

Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? A large number of radiology technician colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still crucial to make sure that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a rigorous examination of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it may also receive 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. In addition to ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial aid and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Galena KS employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Sponsored? Inquire if the Kansas radiology tech schools you are reviewing have partnerships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to receive practical experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally 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 Galena KS health care community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Find out if the radiographer programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Galena KS healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Galena KS residence. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big 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 want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Galena KS colleges you are researching 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 ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program as well.

Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the radiographer program you ultimately choose can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Galena KS, 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 enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Radiology Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers frequently ask radiographer applicants is "What made you decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for being a radiology technician, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you must organize several approaches about how you want to answer them. Given that there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best X-Ray Tech Program near Galena KS

Choosing the appropriate x-ray technician degree program is a crucial first step toward starting a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs frequently stand for the greater part of the working day and move and sometimes 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 designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having social skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and provide the best possible patient care. As has been addressed in this report, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are assessing before making your ultimate decision. This is similarly true whether you opt for an online school or drive to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can examine and compare each college so you can focus your choices and make your final choice. And with the appropriate training and your motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Galena KS.

Some Background on Galena Kansas

Galena, Kansas

Galena is a city in Cherokee County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,085.[6]

Although the railroad was built through the territory of Galena in 1871, the town did not start until the discovery of lead there in the spring of 1877.[7] The first post office was established in 1877.[8]

The city was originally platted by the Galena Mining and Smelting Company and was to be known as Cornwall. The city was actually known as Short Creek when first established because of a nearby creek and was known as Bonanza briefly before taking the present name of Galena in 1877, which is named after the lead ore galena found in the area.[9][10] The city was part of the tri state mining area and had over 30,000 inhabitants. After the mines closed in the 1970s, population decreased.

The Jayhawk Ordnance Works northwest of Galena, built during World War II, was a large ordnance plant producing ammonium nitrate. After the war it was privatized by its operator Kenneth Aldred Spencer and at one point was the world's largest producer of ammonium nitrate fertilizer in the world. It would form the basis for the Spencer Chemical Company's fortune which would eventually be funneled into numerous philanthropies throughout Missouri and Kansas. The Spencer family had been in the area because of their ownership of the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Co. mining operation.[11] The plant is still in operation as the Jayhawk Fine Chemicals Corporation.

Galena is located at 37°4′28″N 94°38′8″W / 37.07444°N 94.63556°W / 37.07444; -94.63556 (37.074459, -94.635549).[12] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.62 square miles (11.97 km2), of which, 4.57 square miles (11.84 km2) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2) is water.[1] Galena is the eastern end of the segment of U.S. Route 66 that passes through Kansas.