How to Choose an X-Ray Tech Degree Program near Wellington Kansas

Best wishes regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Wellington KS in order to learn to be a radiology technologist. And now that you have decided to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, exactly how do you set about choosing the right college and program to ensure that you will get the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that the majority of 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 imperative that you investigate each of the schools you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. Most prospective students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and frequently gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location must be taken into account, there are other critical qualifications as well. For example, you need to find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are evaluating are provided later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a radiologic tech does and the degrees and education options that are available.

X-Ray Tech Career Summary

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the same primary job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many opt to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for example mammography. They may practice in Wellington KS hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech may work with include:

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

Radiographers must maintain their equipment plus frequently evaluate its performance and safety. They are also required to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Wellington 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 attending an x-ray tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, generally takes 18 months to two years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finish and is more extensive in scope. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are appropriate as well. One thing to consider is that Wellington KS radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may often be satisfied by taking part in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Kansas or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

Once you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, depending on the state where you will be employed you may have to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their prerequisites differ so check with your state. Currently, all states that do require licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but many accept other alternatives for testing also. Several states also call for certification as a component of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. However, many Wellington KS employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it might enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every 2 years, which may be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Tech Programs

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 colleges. So although you can still obtain your online degree, a significant portion of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is often conducted in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online portion of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Wellington KS residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree typically discover that the online approach to education is far more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online programs are often cheaper than on-campus options. Along with lower tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials can be lessened as well. But just make sure that the online program you select 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 ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges

As soon as you have chosen the type of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of finding and assessing Wellington KS x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to decide 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 price of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be a determining variable also. But along with location and cost, what more should you look at when reviewing colleges? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these important details before you make your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you must ask the programs you are assessing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Programs Accredited? Most xray tech colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still important to verify that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed examination of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Wellington KS health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level openings.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the Kansas xray tech programs you are interested in have relationships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to get hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist graduates and students establish professional connections in the Wellington KS healthcare community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Wellington KS healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Wellington KS home. Those who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Wellington KS colleges you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program also.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the radiographer  program you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Wellington KS, verify 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 carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Radiology Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask radiographer applicants is "What compelled you to decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you must prepare some approaches about how you would like to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Pick the Right X-Ray Technician Program near Wellington KS

Enrolling in the right x-ray tech college is an important first step toward beginning a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs frequently stand for the greater part of the working day and position and at times lift the patient to get the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with 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 interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best available care to patients. As we have addressed in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each program you are assessing before making your ultimate decision. This is similarly true whether you participate in an online program or travel to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each college so you can narrow down your choices and make your decision. And with the right education and your motivation to be successful, you can reach your goal to practice as a x-ray tech in Wellington KS.

Some Background on Wellington Kansas

 

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