Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Harpswell ME 04079 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Pick an X-Ray Tech Program near Harpswell Maine

Harpswell ME x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Harpswell ME in order to train to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have chosen to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, just how do you go about selecting the ideal college and program to ensure that you will obtain the proper training to become a qualified professional? And since the majority of states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you may require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you investigate each of the schools you are considering so that you can evaluate each program. Most students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and usually gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while expense and location need to be taken into consideration, there are additional important qualifications as well. For instance, you need to ask whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are evaluating are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology technician does and the degrees and education choices that are available.

Radiology Tech Occupation Description

There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, they all have the same fundamental job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many choose to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They can work in Harpswell 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 must care for their equipment plus regularly assess its performance and safety. They are additionally required to retain detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Harpswell ME health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Tech Degrees Available

x-ray machine in Harpswell ME The basic requirement for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. 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 requires 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 4 years to complete and is more expansive in scope. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are acceptable as well. Something to consider is that Harpswell ME radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It can typically be satisfied by taking part 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 must comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Maine or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an x-ray technician school, based on the state where you will be employed you might need to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their requirements vary so contact your state. Currently, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but many approve additional alternatives for testing also. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. Having said that, many Harpswell ME employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it may increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technologist Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Harpswell 04079 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges 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 significant amount of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is usually carried out in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online section of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Harpswell ME home. Students who continue working while earning their degree often find that the online approach to education is far more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are often cheaper than on-campus options. In addition to reduced tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting may be reduced as well. But just confirm that the online program you choose is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online degree may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Radiologic Tech Colleges

As soon as you have chosen the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of locating and evaluating Harpswell ME x-ray tech schools. You will also need to decide if you want to attend classes online or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be relevant. The cost of tuition and secondary expenditures will be a determining variable as well. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you factor in when comparing colleges? Well, you should check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details prior to making your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the schools you are looking at.

Are the X-Ray Tech Colleges Accredited? Most xray tech colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to verify that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through an extensive examination of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Harpswell ME employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level openings.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the Maine radiology technician schools you are reviewing have partnerships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great means to obtain hands on training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist graduates and students form professional relationships in the Harpswell ME medical community and assist with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be challenging without help. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Harpswell ME healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Harpswell ME residence. Students who have opted 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 importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have 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 live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or hide in the crowd, you will probably want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Harpswell ME schools you are reviewing 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 decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the x-ray tech program also.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the x-ray tech college you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in Harpswell ME, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Radiologic Technologist?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask radiographer applicants is "What made you select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for being a radiology technician, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to radiography, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize a number of strategies about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal X-Ray Tech School near Harpswell ME

Picking the right radiology tech college is an important first step toward launching a fulfilling new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. Radiology techs regularly stand for the greater part of the day and position and at times lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to adhere to the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and furnish the best available patient care. As we have discussed in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are considering before making your final decision. This is just as true whether you participate in an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can examine and compare each college so you can focus your choices and make your decision. And with the right education and your commitment to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Harpswell ME.

Some Background on Harpswell Maine

Harpswell, Maine

Harpswell is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States, within Casco Bay in the Gulf of Maine. The population was 4,740 at the 2010 census.[4] Harpswell is composed of land contiguous with the rest of Cumberland County, called Harpswell Neck, as well as three large islands connected by bridges: Sebascodegan Island (locally known as Great Island), Orr's Island, and Bailey Island and over 200 smaller islands. Harpswell is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The Native Americans who originally inhabited Harpswell were part of the Abenaki. The Abenaki name for Harpswell Neck, then called West Harpswell, was Merriconeag or "quick carrying place", a reference to the narrow peninsula's easy portage. The Abenaki name for Great Island was Erascohegan or Sebascodiggin,[5] which became by the late 1800s Sebascodegan Island. About 1659 Major Nicholas Shapleigh of Kittery, Maine, bought Merriconeag and Sebascodegan Island from the Abenaki, but because of Indian attacks, attempts to settle the area were abandoned until after Dummer's War. The Treaty of 1725 brought a truce, and by 1731 many settlers had returned.[6]

Formerly a part of North Yarmouth, in 1758 the town was incorporated by the Massachusetts General Court and named for Harpswell in Lincolnshire, England.[7] Industries included farming and some shipbuilding, but fishing brought considerable profit, and lobstering is still a thriving part of the economy. Because of its scenic beauty, Harpswell is today a favorite with artists and tourists. The Bailey Island Bridge is an Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 127.69 square miles (330.72 km2), of which, 24.18 square miles (62.63 km2) of it is land and 103.51 square miles (268.09 km2) is water.[1] The town is situated on Casco Bay in the Gulf of Maine, part of the Atlantic Ocean. Harpswell has about 216 miles (348 km) of coastline.[8]

The town is crossed by state routes 24 and 123. It is bordered by the town of Brunswick to the north, and is separated by the New Meadows River from West Bath to the northeast and Phippsburg to the east.