Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Auburn ME 04210 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Find a Radiologic Tech College near Auburn Maine

Auburn ME x-ray tech internship program Best wishes on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Auburn ME so you can become a radiologic technician. But now that you have made a decision to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you tackle selecting the ideal school and program to ensure that you will obtain the proper 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 might need preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you investigate each of the schools you are considering in order to evaluate each program. Many prospective students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and frequently gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location must be considered, there are additional significant qualifications as well. For example, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you must ask the schools you are reviewing are provided later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic technician does and the credentials and training choices that are available.

X-Ray Technician Work Summary

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the same major job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many choose to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for instance mammography. They may practice in Auburn ME clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist might work with 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 also frequently analyze its functionality and safety. They are additionally required to keep in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Auburn ME medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Tech Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in Auburn ME The standard requirement for attending a radiology tech college is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among techs, usually takes 18 months to two years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finish and is more extensive in nature. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that may be appropriate as well. One thing to keep in mind is that Auburn ME radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It may often be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their area. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing requirements in Maine or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiographer Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an Radiologist college, depending on the state where you will be working you might have to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their criteria differ so get in touch with your state. Currently, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but several accept additional options for testing also. Several states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. Having said that, many Auburn ME employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it might increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every 2 years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technician Programs

attending x-ray tech school online in Auburn 04210 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree programs. So although you can still obtain your degree online, a considerable amount of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Clinical training is often performed in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online segment of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Auburn ME residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree often discover that the online style of learning is much more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online schools are often less costly than conventional options. In addition to lower tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials can be reduced also. But just be sure that the online program you pick is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online school may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Radiographer Schools

After you have decided on the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of locating and assessing Auburn ME x-ray technician schools. 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 obviously the location of the college will be relevant. The price of tuition and secondary expenditures will be an important factor as well. But along with location and cost, what else should you consider when evaluating colleges? Well, you should find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details before you make your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are assessing.

Are the Radiology Tech Programs Accredited? The majority of xray technician schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still imperative to make sure that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged 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 getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Auburn ME employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry-level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the Maine xray tech colleges you are interested in have relationships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great manner to receive practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Auburn ME medical community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the radiographer programs you are interviewing have job placement 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 Auburn ME healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Auburn ME home. Those who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern 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 school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Auburn ME schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the x-ray tech college you finally pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in Auburn ME, make sure that they are available. 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 need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be an X-Ray Tech?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask radiographer applicants is "What drove you to decide on radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming a radiology technician, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare some approaches about how you want to address them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right X-Ray Tech College near Auburn ME

Selecting the appropriate radiology tech school is a critical first step toward initiating a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs often stand for the greater part of the working day and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best available patient care. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision. This is just as true whether you opt for an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can analyze and compare each college so you can narrow down your options and make your decision. And with the proper education and your dedication to be successful, you can reach your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Auburn ME.

Some Background on Auburn Maine

Auburn, Maine

Auburn is a city in and the county seat of Androscoggin County, Maine, United States.[4] The population was 23,055 at the 2010 census. Auburn and Lewiston (directly across the Androscoggin River from each other) are known locally as the Twin Cities or Lewiston–Auburn (L–A).

The area was originally part of the Pejepscot Purchase, land bought in 1714 by a association of people from Boston and Portsmouth following the Treaty of Portsmouth, which brought peace between the Abenaki Indians and the settlers of present day Maine. In 1736, however, the Massachusetts General Court granted a large section of the land to veterans of the 1690 Battle of Quebec. Conflicting claims led to prolonged litigation; consequently, settlement was delayed until after the French and Indian Wars.[5]

Auburn was first settled in 1786 as part of Bakerstown, renamed Poland when it was incorporated by the Massachusetts General Court in 1795. It was then part of Minot, formed from parts of Poland and incorporated in 1802. Auburn would itself be formed from parts of Minot and incorporated on February 24, 1842. The name was apparently inspired by "Auburn", a village (real or fictitious) featured in the 1770 poem "The Deserted Village" by Oliver Goldsmith.[6] Originally part of Cumberland County, the town became county seat of Androscoggin County at its creation in 1854. By annexing land from towns around it, including part of Poland in 1852, Minot in 1873, and all of Danville (first called Pejepscot) in 1867, Auburn grew geographically into one of Maine's largest municipalities. Incorporated a city on February 12, 1868,[7] Auburn in 1917 would be the first city in the state to adopt a council-manager form of government.[5]

Farms supplied grain and produce, but with construction of the bridge across the river to Lewiston in 1823, and especially after arrival of the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad from Portland in January 1848, the community developed into a mill town. Mills were built to operate by water power from falls on the Androscoggin River and Little Androscoggin River. In 1835, the factory system of shoe manufacture originated at Auburn. Other firms manufactured cotton and woolen textiles, carriages, iron goods, bricks and furniture. The population in 1860 was only about 4,000 but by 1890 it was about 12,000, when its shoe factories attracted many French Canadian immigrants, many of whom arrived by train from Quebec.[8] Steady population growth continued to about 1960 when the population was about 24,500.[9]

In Auburn, shoe manufacturing became the dominant industry by the late 19th century. The City Seal, depicting a spindle with different types of shoes at each outside point, was designed when Auburn was positioning itself as the shoe manufacturing center of Maine in the mid-19th century. In 1917 one factory in Auburn was producing 75 percent of the world's supply of white canvas shoes; however, after World War II the shoe industry began to decline, and between 1957 and 1961 the largest manufacturers closed their factories.[9]