How to Pick an X-Ray Tech College near Guilford Maine
Congratulations on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Guilford ME so you can train to be a radiology technologist. But now that you have made a decision to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you tackle selecting the ideal college and program to ensure that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And because most states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you may need training to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you research each of the schools you are considering in order to compare each program. Many potential students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and often settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location must be considered, there are additional significant qualifiers as well. For example, you should ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the colleges you are evaluating are provided later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic tech does and the credentials and training options that are available.
Radiology Tech Work Summary
There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, each has the identical major job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many choose to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for instance mammography. They may work in Guilford ME clinics, hospitals, 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 take care of their equipment and routinely evaluate its functionality and safety. They are also expected to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Guilford ME health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
Radiology Technician Degrees
The basic prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech program is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, usually takes 18 months to two years to complete depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to four years to finish and is more expansive in nature. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be acceptable also. Something to bear in mind is that Guilford ME radiographer schools have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may typically be satisfied by taking part in an internship or externship program which many schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in their region. 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.
X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing
Once you have graduated from an Radiologist program, depending on the state where you will be employed you might have to be licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their requirements differ so get in touch with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but a number accept other alternatives for testing also. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. Having said that, many Guilford ME employers favor hiring 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 examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every 2 years, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.
Online Radiology Technologist Degrees
As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree programs. So while you can still obtain your online degree, a large amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is often performed in area hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online portion of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Guilford ME residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree typically find that the online style of learning is far more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online programs are frequently cheaper than on-campus alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting can be lessened also. But just confirm that the online program you pick is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online degree may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Radiologic Tech Programs
As soon as you have selected the type of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of locating and evaluating Guilford ME x-ray technician colleges. 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 school will be relevant. The cost of tuition and secondary expenditures will be a material variable as well. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you factor in when comparing colleges? Well, you need to ask if the colleges 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 put together a list of questions that you should ask the schools you are looking at.
Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? Most xray technician colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still important to confirm 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed examination of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it may also receive 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. In addition to ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Guilford ME employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level jobs.
Are Internships Provided? Ask if the Maine xray technician schools you are evaluating have partnerships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent means to receive practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist students and graduates form professional relationships in the Guilford ME medical community and assist with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be difficult without help. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Guilford ME healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they select will have to be within travelling distance of their Guilford ME residence. Those who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Guilford ME schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program as well.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the radiographer program you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Guilford ME, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Why Did You Decide to Be an X-Ray Tech?
When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask radiographer prospects is "What drove you to choose radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to organize some approaches about how you would like to address them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.Enroll in the Right X-Ray Tech College near Guilford ME
Selecting the appropriate x-ray tech college is a critical first step toward launching a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs often stand for the majority of the working day and position and at times lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal 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 report, there are several questions that you should ask each school you are looking at before making your final selection. This is equally true whether you decide on an online school or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each school so you can narrow down your options before making your decision. And with the proper training and your commitment to be successful, you can reach your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Guilford ME.
Some Background on Guilford Maine
Guilford, Maine
Guilford is a town in Piscataquis County, Maine, United States. The town is located on the Piscataquis River and was first settled in 1806.[4] The population was 1,521 at the 2010 census.
In 1803, Rev. Robert Low and Deacon Robert Herring of New Gloucester purchased several thousand acres in the area from Bowdoin College. The town itself was first settled on February 18, 1806. On October 8, 1812, a warrant was issued for the tract to be designated a "plantation," which became effective on November 11, 1806. The town was officially incorporated by the governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on February 8, 1816. It was named after Moses Guilford Low, the first white child born here.[5]
The town served as the birthplace of Guilford of Maine, currently one of the world's largest producers of panel cloth.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.71 square miles (92.49 km2), of which, 34.88 square miles (90.34 km2) of it is land and 0.83 square miles (2.15 km2) is water.[1]
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,521 people, 693 households, and 426 families residing in the town. The population density was 43.6 inhabitants per square mile (16.8/km2). There were 882 housing units at an average density of 25.3 per square mile (9.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.9% White, 0.1% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population.
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