How to Select an X-Ray Technician Degree Program near Franklin Louisiana
Congrats on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Franklin LA so you can learn to be a radiology technologist. But now that you have decided to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you go about selecting the ideal college and program so that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And because most states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you may need training to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the schools you are looking at so that you can compare each program. Most potential students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and usually settle on the lowest cost. But while location and cost need to be taken into consideration, there are other critical qualifiers also. For instance, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are examining are presented later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic tech does and the degrees and training choices that are available.
Radiology Tech Work Description
There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, they all have the same major job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some elect to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, such as mammography. They can work in Franklin LA 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 must care for their equipment and routinely evaluate its performance and safety. They are additionally required to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Franklin LA health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
X-Ray Technician Degrees Available
The standard prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, normally requires 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as four years to finish and is more expansive in scope. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are acceptable also. One thing to keep in mind is that Franklin LA radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may typically be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which many schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification mandates in Louisiana or the state you will be working as applicable.
X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing
When you have graduated from an X-Ray tech school, based on the state where you will be employed you might have to be licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their requirements vary so check with your state. At present, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but several accept additional alternatives for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, many Franklin LA employers will only hire radiology techs that are certified so it might improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.
Online X-Ray Tech Degrees
As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree schools. So while you can still obtain your online degree, a substantial portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Clinical training is often carried out in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Franklin LA residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree typically discover that the online approach to education is much more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online schools are generally less costly than on-campus alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be decreased as well. But just confirm that the online school you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then online classes may be the right option for you.
Topics to Ask X Ray Tech Schools
As soon as you have selected the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of locating and evaluating Franklin LA x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or travel to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the school will be important. The price of tuition and ancillary expenses will be an important variable as well. But along with location and cost, what more should you factor in when evaluating colleges? Well, you should check out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these important details prior to making your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are assessing.
Are the Radiology Tech Schools Accredited? Most xray technician colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to verify that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a rigorous assessment of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Franklin LA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry level jobs.
Are Internships Provided? Ask if the Louisiana radiology technician schools you are reviewing have relationships with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to obtain hands on training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Franklin LA health care community and assist with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the radiographer schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Franklin LA healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they choose will need to be within commuting distance of their Franklin LA home. Students 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 concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school 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 commonly charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Franklin LA colleges you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program also.
Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the radiographer college you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Franklin LA, check that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.
Why Did You Choose to Be an Xray Technician?
When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's important to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to choose radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being an X-Ray tech, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must prepare a number of strategies about how you would like to address them. Because there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.Enroll in the Right X-Ray Tech Program near Franklin LA
Enrolling in the best radiology tech school is a critical first step toward beginning a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs typically stand for the majority of the workday and move and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to observe 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. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best available care to patients. As has been covered in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection. This is similarly true whether you participate in an online school or drive to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can analyze and compare each program so you can focus your options and make your decision. And with the proper education and your commitment to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as a radiology tech in Franklin LA.
Some Background on Franklin Louisiana
C. L. Franklin
Clarence LaVaughn Franklin (January 22, 1915 – July 27, 1984), better known as Bishop C. L. Franklin or The Reverend C. L. Franklin, was an American Baptist minister and civil rights activist. Known as the man with the "Million-Dollar Voice", Franklin served as the pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, from 1946 to 1979. Franklin was also the father of American singer–songwriter Aretha Franklin.
He was born Clarence LaVaughn Walker in Sunflower County, Mississippi, to sharecroppers Willie Walker and Rachel Walker née Pittman.[2] C. L. Franklin would recall that the only thing his father did for him was to teach him to salute when he returned from service in World War I in 1919.[3] Willie Walker abandoned the family shortly thereafter (Clarence was only four years old), and the next year Rachel married Henry Franklin, whose surname the family adopted. At age 16, he became a preacher, initially working the Black itinerant preaching circuit, before settling at New Salem Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, where he remained until May 1944. From there he moved to the pulpit of the Friendship Baptist Church in Buffalo, New York,[4] where he served until June 1946 when he became pastor of the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan.
Throughout the late 1940s and 1950s his fame grew. He preached throughout the country while maintaining his pulpit at New Bethel. Known as the man with the "Million Dollar Voice", Franklin was one of the first ministers to place his sermons on records (which continued into the 1970s, many of them issued by Joe Von Battle's JVB label), and to broadcast sermons via radio on Sundays. He commanded high fees for his public appearances. Among his most famous sermons were "The Eagle Stirreth Her Nest" and "Dry Bones in the Valley". In 2011, "The Eagle Stirreth Her Nest" was added to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress.[5] In addition to his fame as a preacher, Franklin was known for his fine singing voice. He greatly encouraged his daughter Aretha Franklin in her musical endeavors, and during the 1950s took her with him on speaking tours and musical engagements. He also formed an a'capella group with Anthony Alexander Chamblee, his first cousin. They only made one album before he accepted the call to preach. In addition to his ministry, in the 1950s and 1960s as he became involved in the civil rights movement, and worked to end discriminatory practices against black United Auto Workers members in Detroit.
Shortly after midnight on Sunday, June 10, 1979, Franklin was shot twice at point-blank range during what was said to be an attempted robbery at his home on Detroit's West Side. He was taken to Henry Ford Hospital on nearby West Grand Boulevard. He remained in a coma for the next five years. The Franklin children moved him back to the house six months after the tragedy and installed a 24-hour nurse at the residence to monitor the minister. He remained at the home until the middle of 1984. He died on July 27, 1984, just one week after being placed in Detroit's New Light Nursing Home. Franklin was 69 years old. Franklin was entombed at Detroit's historic Woodlawn Cemetery on North Woodward Avenue. Franklin's friend, the Rev. Jasper Williams Jr., of the Salem Bible Church of Atlanta, Georgia, gave his eulogy. LeRoy Bailey Jr., senior pastor of The First Cathedral in Hartford, Connecticut, credited Franklin as one of his major influences. House musician Green Velvet released a track entitled "Preacher Man" in 1993, consisting primarily of a C. L. Franklin sermon.
On October 16, 1934, Franklin married his first wife, Alene Gaines, and though that marriage had ended by early 1936, the form of dissolution is unconfirmed. On June 3, 1936, Franklin married Barbara Siggers, with whom he had four children: Erma (1938-2002), Cecil (1940-1989), Aretha (b. 1942), and Carolyn (1944-1988). Barbara had a son by a previous relationship, Vaughn (1934-2002), whom C. L. adopted shortly after the marriage. Vaughn did not learn that C. L. Franklin was not his father until 1951.[6] In 1940, Franklin fathered a daughter, Carl Ellan Kelley (née Jennings), by Mildred Jennings, a 12-year-old girl in his New Salem Baptist Church congregation. (She gave birth to Carl Ellan several days after her thirteenth birthday.)[7]
More Cities of Interest in Louisiana
Business Results 1 - 10 of 27
0 Reviews 
2 Reviews 0 Reviews 0 Reviews 0 Reviews 0 Reviews 0 Reviews 0 Reviews 0 Reviews 0 Reviews 