How to Choose an Xray Tech Program near Prestonsburg Kentucky
Congrats on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Prestonsburg KY in order to become a radiologic technologist. But now that you have chosen to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you set about selecting the ideal school and program so that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled professional? And considering that most states do require that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you may require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you assess each of the schools you are looking at in order to compare each program. A number of students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and often gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location should be considered, there are additional critical qualifiers as well. For example, you must ask whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are considering are presented later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a x-ray technician does and the credentials and training options that are offered.
X-Ray Technician Occupation Description
There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, each has the same major job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some elect to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, such as mammography. They can practice in Prestonsburg KY hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician 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 assess its functionality and safety. They are additionally required to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Prestonsburg KY health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
Radiology Tech Degrees Offered
The standard requirement for attending a radiology tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among techs, normally takes 18 months to two years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to four years to complete and is more extensive in scope. 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 Prestonsburg KY radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It may often be satisfied by taking part in an internship or externship program which many schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any certification or licensing mandates in Kentucky or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
Radiologic Technologist Licensing and Certification
Once you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, depending on the state where you will be working you might need to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their criteria vary so contact your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but several approve other alternatives for testing also. Some states also require certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Prestonsburg KY employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.
Online Radiology Technician Schools
As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree colleges. So while you can still earn your online degree, a significant portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an internship off-campus. Clinical training is often provided in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online section of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Prestonsburg KY residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree often discover that the online style of learning is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are generally less expensive than on-campus options. Along with lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be lessened also. But just be sure that the online school you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online school may be the ideal option for you.
Topics to Ask Radiographer Programs
As soon as you have chosen the kind of degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of finding and evaluating Prestonsburg KY x-ray technician schools. You will also need to determine if you want to attend online classes or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the college will be important. The price of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be a determining variable as well. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you look at when comparing colleges? Well, you should ask if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these crucial details before you make your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are looking at.
Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? A large number of xray technician schools have acquired some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to make sure that the school and program 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through an extensive evaluation of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it can 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. In addition to ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Prestonsburg KY employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level positions.
Are Internships Provided? Find out if the Kentucky xray tech schools you are evaluating have relationships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent manner to obtain hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Prestonsburg KY healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Prestonsburg KY healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Prestonsburg KY home. Students who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to consider 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 usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Prestonsburg KY schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student 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 an opportunity to converse 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 finally you must verify that the radiographer school you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Prestonsburg KY, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.
Why Did You Desire to Be an Xray Technician?
When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers frequently ask radiographer prospects is "What compelled you to select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you should ready several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.Choose the Ideal Radiology Technician School near Prestonsburg KY
Choosing the best x-ray tech college is an important first step toward initiating a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs often stand for the greater part of the day and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety requirements developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray 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 pleasant work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. As we have addressed in this report, there are several questions that you should ask each school you are looking at 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 examine and compare each college so you can focus your options and make your final choice. And with the right education and your commitment to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Prestonsburg KY.
Some Background on Prestonsburg Kentucky
Prestonsburg, Kentucky
Prestonsburg is a home rule-class city[3] in and the county seat of Floyd County, Kentucky, United States.[4] The population was 3,255 at the time of the 2010 census,[5] down from 3,612 at the 2000 census.
The area was part of the 100,000-acre (400 km2) grant to the family of Col. John Preston's wife, which he administered on her behalf. The grant was intended to permit British colonization beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains, but subsequent French and Indian resistance and a reversal of British policy limited its impact. The land was not settled until John Spurlock of Montgomery County, Virginia, arrived in 1791. He laid out the town of "Preston's Station" in 1797.[6] It became the seat of Floyd County upon its formation in 1799 and was formally established in 1818.[1] The post office was known as "Floyd Court House" from its establishment in 1816 until the late 1820s, when it was renamed "Prestonsburg".[6]
On January 10, 1862, nearby Middle Creek was the scene of the largest battle of the Civil War to occur in eastern Kentucky. The town was also the site of one of the worst school bus disasters in American history on February 28, 1958.
The town had a pack horse library in the late 1930s to bring library materials to rural mountain residents.[7]
U.S. Route 23, also called "The Country Music Highway" to celebrate the region's rich heritage of music, runs through Prestonsburg. Country music stars including Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gayle, Wynonna Judd, Naomi Judd, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tom T. Hall, Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Dwight Yoakam, and Patty Loveless are all from the Big Sandy Valley. Heavy metal singer and guitarist Dave Reffett also grew up near this area.
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