Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Shreveport LA 71101 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Find a Radiologic Tech Degree Program near Shreveport Louisiana

Shreveport LA x-ray tech internship program Best wishes on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Shreveport LA in order to train to be a radiologic technician. But now that you have made a decision to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, exactly how do you undertake selecting the right school and program so that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a skilled professional? And considering that most states do require that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you may need training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you investigate each of the schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Most students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and typically settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location should be taken into consideration, there are additional important qualifiers as well. For instance, you should find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are reviewing are provided later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic tech does and the credentials and education choices that are offered.

X-Ray Tech 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. Irrespective of the name, each has the identical principal job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many choose to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They may practice in Shreveport LA clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician 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 regularly evaluate its functionality and safety. They are also expected to keep in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Shreveport LA health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degrees

x-ray machine in Shreveport LA The standard prerequisite for attending an x-ray tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, generally takes 18 months to two years to complete depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to finish and is more expansive in scope. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that are acceptable as well. Something to consider is that Shreveport LA radiographer schools have a practical 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 colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Louisiana or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiographer Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, based on the state where you will be working you might need to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so contact your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but many accept additional alternatives for testing also. Some states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. However, numerous Shreveport LA employers would rather 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 requires re-certification every 2 years, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technologist Classes

attending x-ray tech school online in Shreveport 71101 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree colleges. So although you can still obtain your degree online, a considerable portion of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Clinical training is typically performed in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online portion of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Shreveport LA residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree typically find that the online approach to learning is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online programs are generally cheaper than traditional alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be lessened as well. But just make certain 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 formalized type of training, then online classes may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Radiology Tech Schools

As soon as you have decided on the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can start the process of locating and evaluating Shreveport LA x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to determine if you want 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 relevant. The price of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be a material factor as well. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you look at when comparing colleges? Well, you should check out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these crucial details before you make your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you must ask the programs you are considering.

Are the X-Ray Technician Schools Accredited? A large number of xray technician schools have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still important to make sure 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive assessment of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Shreveport LA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the Louisiana xray tech colleges you are evaluating have associations with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great manner to receive hands on training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may help students and graduates establish professional connections in the Shreveport LA medical community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Shreveport LA healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they select will have to be within commuting distance of their Shreveport LA residence. Students who have decided to attend online classes naturally 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 keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Shreveport LA colleges you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student 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 a chance to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the x-ray tech college you ultimately choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Shreveport LA, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Choose to Be an Xray Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask radiographer applicants is "What compelled you to pick radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming a radiology technician, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to radiography, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should prepare several approaches about how you want to answer them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Pick the Ideal X-Ray Tech School near Shreveport LA

Choosing the best x-ray tech college is an important first step toward initiating a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs often stand for the majority of the workday and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing social skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and deliver the best available patient care. As has been covered in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are considering before making your ultimate decision. This is equally true whether you enroll in an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each school so you can focus your options and make your final choice. And with the proper training and your commitment to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to work as a radiology tech in Shreveport LA.

Some Background on Shreveport Louisiana

Shreveport, Louisiana

Shreveport (/ˈʃriːvpɔːrt/ SHREEV-port) is the third-largest city in the state of Louisiana and the 122nd-largest city in the United States. It is the seat of Caddo Parish[4] and extends along the Red River (most notably at Wright Island, the Charles and Marie Hamel Memorial Park, and Bagley Island) into neighboring Bossier Parish. Bossier City is separated from Shreveport by the Red River. The population of Shreveport was 199,311 in 2010,[5] and the Shreveport-Bossier City Metropolitan Area population exceeds 441,000.[6] The Shreveport-Bossier City Metropolitan Statistical Area ranks 111th in the United States, according to the United States Census Bureau.[7]

Shreveport was founded in 1836 by the Shreve Town Company, a corporation established to develop a town at the juncture of the newly navigable Red River and the Texas Trail, an overland route into the newly independent Republic of Texas and, prior to that time, into Mexico.[8]

Shreveport is the commercial and cultural center of the Ark-La-Tex region, where Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas meet.

Shreveport was established to launch a town at the meeting point of the Red River and the Texas Trail. The Red River was cleared and made newly navigable by Captain Henry Miller Shreve, who led the United States Army Corps of Engineers effort to clear the Red River. A 180-mile-long (290 km) natural log jam, the Great Raft, had previously obstructed passage to shipping. Shreve used a specially modified riverboat, the Heliopolis, to remove the log jam. The company and the village of Shreve Town were named in Shreve's honor.[9]

Shreve Town was originally contained within the boundaries of a section of land sold to the company in 1835 by the indigenous Caddo Indians. In 1838 Caddo Parish was created from the large Natchitoches Parish, and Shreve Town became its parish seat. On March 20, 1839, the town was incorporated as Shreveport. Originally, the town consisted of 64 city blocks, created by eight streets running west from the Red River and eight streets running south from Cross Bayou, one of its tributaries.