How to Choose a Radiology Tech College near Highland Kansas

Congratulations on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Highland KS in order to train to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have chosen to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, just how do you go about choosing the right college and program so that you will get the proper training to become a qualified professional? And since most states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you might need preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you research each of the colleges you are considering in order to compare each program. Most potential students start by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and usually settle on the most affordable cost. But while expense and location must be taken into consideration, there are additional significant qualifiers as well. For instance, you need to ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are considering are provided later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a radiology technician does and the degrees and training choices that are offered.

Radiology Technician Job Description

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, they all have the identical principal job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many choose to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for example mammography. They may practice in Highland KS hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech might utilize include:

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

Radiographers must care for their equipment and also frequently analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Highland KS health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Tech Degree Options

The primary prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, generally takes 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finish and is more comprehensive in nature. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are appropriate also. Something to keep in mind is that Highland KS radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Kansas or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing

Once you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, based on the state where you will be employed you might have to become licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their criteria vary so contact your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but many offer additional options for testing as well. Some states also require certification as a component of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. However, numerous Highland KS employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it could improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every other year, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technologist Schools

As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree schools. So although you can still obtain your degree online, a considerable amount of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Practical training is typically provided in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online section of the training can be attended in the comfort of your Highland KS home. Students who continue working while earning their degree often discover that the online approach to education is far more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are often cheaper than conventional options. Along with lower tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials can be lessened as well. But just confirm that the online school you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online degree may be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask X Ray Tech Schools

Once you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of finding and assessing Highland KS x-ray technician schools. You will also have to decide if you want to attend classes online or drive to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the college will be relevant. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a determining variable also. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you look at 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 essential details prior to making your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you need to ask the colleges you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Programs Accredited? The majority of radiology tech colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still important to confirm that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive assessment of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Highland KS health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry level positions.

Are Internships Provided? Inquire if the Kansas xray tech programs you are evaluating have partnerships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great means to get practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help graduates and students develop professional connections in the Highland KS healthcare community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Highland KS healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Highland KS home. Those who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to consider is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Highland KS colleges you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the radiographer  school you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Highland KS, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Radiology Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask radiographer candidates is "What made you select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming a radiology technician, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should ready some ideas about how you want to answer them. Since there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Radiology Technician Program near Highland KS

Selecting the appropriate radiology tech degree program is an important first step toward beginning a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs frequently stand for the greater part of the workday and position and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety guidelines developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and deliver the best possible patient care. As we have addressed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each school you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision. This is just as true whether you decide on an online school or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each college so you can narrow down your choices and make your final choice. And with the proper training and your dedication to be successful, you can reach your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Highland KS.

Some Background on Highland Kansas

 

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