Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Andover ME 04216 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Choose an X-Ray Tech School near Andover Maine

Andover ME x-ray tech internship program Congratulations regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Andover ME in order to train to be a radiology technologist. And now that you have chosen to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, just how do you tackle selecting the right school and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And since most states do mandate that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you might require training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s imperative that you investigate each of the colleges you are considering so that you can evaluate each program. A number of students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and usually settle on the lowest cost. But while cost and location should be taken into consideration, there are other critical qualifications also. For instance, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are examining are presented later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a x-ray technician does and the degrees and education choices that are offered.

X-Ray Technician Career Description

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, each has the same primary 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. Many elect to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They may work in Andover ME clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech may utilize 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 also regularly analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally required to retain detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Andover ME health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degrees

x-ray machine in Andover ME The primary prerequisite for attending an x-ray tech program is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon 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 nature. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be acceptable also. Something to bear in mind is that Andover ME radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may frequently be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Maine or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an X-Ray tech program, depending on the state where you will be employed you may need to become licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their criteria differ so contact your state. Currently, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but a number offer other options for testing also. Several states also require certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, many Andover ME employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it may increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every other year, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technologist Programs

attending x-ray tech school online in Andover 04216 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree programs. So although you can still earn your degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is often performed in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online portion of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Andover ME home. Students who keep working while earning their degree usually discover that the online style of learning is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online colleges are often more affordable than traditional options. Along with reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be reduced also. But just confirm that the online program you select 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 right choice for you.

What to Ask Radiographer Programs

As soon as you have chosen the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can start the process of locating and assessing Andover ME x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to decide if you want to attend classes online or drive to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be relevant. The price of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be an important variable also. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you consider when reviewing schools? Well, you need to find out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these important details prior to making your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the programs you are reviewing.

Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? The majority of xray tech colleges have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still crucial to make sure that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly regarded 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 gone through an extensive examination of their teachers and educational materials. If the program is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting agencies 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 help in obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Andover ME employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Find out if the Maine radiology tech schools you are reviewing have relationships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to receive practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may assist graduates and students form professional relationships in the Andover ME medical community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and great relationships with Andover ME healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will need to be within driving distance of their Andover ME home. Individuals who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Andover ME colleges you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. 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 speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the x-ray tech college you ultimately choose can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Andover ME, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Radiology Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask radiographer applicants is "What made you select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being a radiology technician, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should ready a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Because there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Pick the Ideal X-Ray Technician College near Andover ME

Picking the best radiology tech degree program is a crucial first step toward launching a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs often stand for the greater part of the working day and position and in some cases lift the patient to get the proper image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and provide the best possible care to patients. As we have addressed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are looking at before making your ultimate decision. This is equally true whether you participate in an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each program so you can focus your options before making your decision. And with the proper education and your dedication to be successful, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Andover ME.

Some Background on Andover Maine

Andover, Maine

Andover is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 821 at the 2010 census. Set among mountains and crossed by the Appalachian Trail, Andover is home to the Andover Earth Station and Lovejoy Covered Bridge.

The land which became known as Andover was originally purchased in 1788 by a group of proprietors mostly from Andover, Massachusetts. The original proprietors were Thomas Poor of Methuen, Massachusetts; Jonathan Abbot, Benjamin Poor, Ebenezer Adams, Ingalls Bragg, Theodore Stevens, Samuel Farnum, Philip Abbott, Samuel Johnson, Abiel Lovejoy, and Eben Poor, Jr. all of Andover, Massachusetts; Joseph Frye of Fryeburg, Maine; and John York, Ezekiel Merrill, and Josiah Bean of Bethel, Maine. The town was first settled in 1789 by Ezekiel Merrill and his family who were transported there from Bethel, Maine in canoes managed by members of the local Pequawket tribe. The first saw-mill was built on the East Branch of the Ellis River by Col. Thomas Poor in 1791 and was used to provide the lumber for the still standing Merrill-Poor House. [4]

The town was incorporated on June 23, 1804 as East Andover, and then renamed Andover in 1820 when Maine separated from Massachusetts.[5]

Early occupations included agriculture and lumbering. As the town developed, factories made doors, sash, blinds, starch, cheese, boots and shoes, edge-tools, carriages and harness. It also had a tannery. Located on an intervale surrounded by mountains, Andover was noted for "its grand and beautiful scenery," with streams abounding in trout. After the Civil War, the town became a popular destination for sportsmen, especially fishermen attracted by the nearby Richardson Lakes. A hotel was built to accommodate the influx of tourists.[6]

In 1960, Andover was selected to be site of the Andover Earth Station, completed in 1962. It was the location of the first live transatlantic television signal broadcast by satellite Telstar 1.