How to Pick an Xray Tech Program near Garden City Kansas
Best wishes regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Garden City KS in order to become a radiology technologist. But now that you have made a decision to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you undertake choosing the ideal school and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that most states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you may require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the schools you are considering in order to evaluate each program. Most prospective students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and typically gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while location and cost must be taken into account, there are additional important qualifiers also. For example, you should ask whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are evaluating are presented later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a x-ray technician does and the degrees and training choices that are offered.
X-Ray Technician Job Summary
There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the same primary job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some opt to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They can work in Garden City KS hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician may utilize 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 functionality and safety. They are also required to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Garden City KS health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered
The basic prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech school is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, usually takes 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the program and course load. 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 choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be appropriate also. Something to consider is that Garden City KS radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can typically be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Kansas or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing
Once you have graduated from an X-Ray tech program, depending on the state where you will be employed you might have to be licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their criteria vary so get in touch with your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but a number accept additional alternatives for testing as well. A number of states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Garden City KS employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it might improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.
Online X-Ray Technician Programs
As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree schools. So even though you can still obtain your degree online, a large portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is usually carried out in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online portion of the training can be attended in the comfort of your Garden City KS residence. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree often find that the online style of education is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online programs are often less costly than conventional alternatives. Along with reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials can be lessened as well. But just make certain that the online program you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online degree may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Radiologic Tech Schools
Once you have decided on the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can begin the process of locating and evaluating Garden City KS x-ray tech schools. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be important. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenses will be a material variable also. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you look at when evaluating colleges? Well, you should ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details prior to making your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the schools you are assessing.
Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? A large number of xray technician schools have received some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still important 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 gone through an extensive review of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Garden City KS employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level openings.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Inquire if the Kansas radiology technician programs you are interested in have associations with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a great means to obtain practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist students and graduates form professional connections in the Garden City KS medical community and assist with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the radiographer programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Garden City KS healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Garden City KS home. Students who have opted to attend online classes naturally 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 school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Garden City KS colleges you are looking at what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final 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 Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the radiographer program you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Garden City KS, make certain that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Why Did You Desire to Be an X-Ray Tech?
When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask radiographer prospects is "What compelled you to choose radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being a radiology technician, but additionally what qualities and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize some ideas about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the talents you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.Pick the Right X-Ray Tech School near Garden City KS
Selecting the ideal x-ray tech college is a crucial first step toward starting a satisfying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs frequently stand for the majority of the day and position and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and furnish the best possible patient care. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each school you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you participate in an online school or commute to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can examine and compare each college so you can narrow down your choices before making your final choice. And with the proper training and your motivation to succeed, you can achieve your goal to practice as a radiographer in Garden City KS.
Some Background on Garden City Kansas
Garden City, Kansas
Garden City is a city in and the county seat of Finney County, Kansas, United States.[6] As of the 2010 census, the city population was 26,658.[7] The city is home to Garden City Community College and the Lee Richardson Zoo, the largest zoological park in western Kansas.
In February 1878, James R. Fulton, William D. Fulton and W.D.'s son, L.W. Fulton, arrived at the present site of Garden City.[8]
The original townsite was laid out on the south half of section 18 by engineer Charles Van Trump. The land was a loose, sandy loam and covered with sagebrush and soap weeds, but there were no trees. Main Street ran directly north and south, dividing William D. and James R. Fulton's claims. As soon as they could get building material, they erected two frame houses. William D. Fulton building on his land, on the east side of Main Street, a house one story and a half high, with two rooms on the ground and two rooms above. This was called the Occidental Hotel. William D. Fulton was proprietor. No other houses were built in Garden City until November 1878, when James R. Fulton and L.T. Walker each put up a building. The Fultons tried to get others to settle here, but only a few came, and at the end of the first year there were only four buildings.[8]
Following a sustained drought, irrigation arrived in Finney County in 1879, with completion of the "Garden City Ditch". The ditch helped to launch an agricultural boom in southwestern Kansas.[9]
Charles Jesse Jones, later known as "Buffalo" Jones, arrived in Garden City for an antelope hunt in January 1879. Before Jones returned home, the Fulton brothers procured his services to promote Garden City, and especially in trying to influence the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad to put in a switch station. The railroad agreed to place its station at Garden City. In the spring of 1879, more people began arriving to homestead in the area. During the years of 1885-1887, a rush was made for Western Kansas, and a settler arrived for every quarter section. The United States Land Office also located at Garden City, and people went there to make filings on their land. Lawyers also arrived in Garden City. I.R. Holmes, the agent for the sale of lands of the ATSF, and Holmes' partner, A.C. McKeever, in 1885 sold thousands of acres of railroad and private land.[8]
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