Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near New Gloucester ME 04260

How to Choose a Radiology Tech Program near New Gloucester Maine

New Gloucester ME x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near New Gloucester ME so you can learn to be a radiologic technologist. But now that you have made a decision to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you tackle picking the ideal school and program so that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And because most states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you subsequently work you may need training to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the colleges you are looking at in order to compare each program. A number of prospective students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and frequently settle on the most affordable cost. But while expense and location should be considered, there are other critical qualifications also. 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 reviewing are provided later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiology tech does and the credentials and training choices that are offered.

X-Ray Tech Work Summary

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, they all have the identical principal job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many opt to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, for example mammography. They may work in New Gloucester 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 plus frequently evaluate its performance and safety. They are also expected to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As New Gloucester ME medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Available

x-ray machine in New Gloucester ME The primary requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, generally takes 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finish and is more comprehensive in nature. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are acceptable also. Something to bear in mind is that New Gloucester ME radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may frequently be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing mandates in Maine or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, depending on the state where you will be working you may have to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their requirements vary so contact your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but several offer other options for testing as well. Some states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. However, numerous New Gloucester ME employers will only hire radiology techs that are certified so it could increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Tech Colleges

attending x-ray tech school online in New Gloucester 04260 As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree colleges. So although you can still earn your online degree, a significant amount of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is typically provided in local family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online segment of the training can be accessed in the privacy of your New Gloucester ME home. Students who keep working while earning their degree usually find that the online approach to learning is much more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are frequently cheaper than on-campus options. Along with reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be lessened as well. But just make certain that the online program you choose is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then online classes may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Radiology Tech Programs

After you have selected the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of searching for and assessing New Gloucester ME x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be critical. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a determining variable also. But along with location and cost, what more should you look at when evaluating schools? Well, you need to ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these important details before you make your decision, we have compiled a list of questions that you must ask the programs you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Tech Programs Accredited? The majority of xray technician colleges have acquired some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still important to confirm that the program and school 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive assessment of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous New Gloucester ME employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level jobs.

Are Internships Provided? Find out if the Maine xray tech colleges you are reviewing have relationships with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to obtain practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist students and graduates establish professional relationships in the New Gloucester ME healthcare community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with New Gloucester ME healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their New Gloucester ME residence. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern 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 have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently 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 likes to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the New Gloucester ME schools you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. 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 a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program also.

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

Why Did You Want to Become an X-Ray Tech?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to pick radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming an Xray technician, but additionally what attributes and abilities you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must ready a number of approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best X-Ray Technician College near New Gloucester ME

Choosing the appropriate radiology technician college is a critical first step toward beginning a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs regularly stand for the majority of the day and position and at times lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects 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. Radiology 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 pleasant work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. As we have addressed in this report, there are several questions that you should ask each college you are reviewing prior to making your final decision. This is just as true whether you participate in an online school or commute to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each school so you can narrow down your options and make your decision. And with the proper training and your dedication to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to work as a radiology tech in New Gloucester ME.

Some Background on New Gloucester Maine

New Gloucester, Maine

New Gloucester is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, in the United States. It is home to the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, the last active Shaker village in the U.S. The town's population was 5,542 at the 2010 census.[5]

New Gloucester is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area.

New Gloucester was established under a grant from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In 1736, the General Court of Massachusetts Bay Colony granted a 6-square-mile (16 km2) tract of land in the Maine Territory to sixty inhabitants of the Gloucester fishing village on Cape Ann. The first settlers followed the road newly bushed out from North Yarmouth and built cabins on Harris Hill between 1739 and 1742. The settlement was abandoned from 1744-1751 due to the heightened Indian attacks during King George's War.[6]

Settlers returned and in 1753 commenced work on a two-story, fifty-foot square blockhouse with a palisade stockade 110 feet (34 m) on a side. This was home to twelve families for six years. The men worked at clearing the surrounding 60 acres (240,000 m2) of common land under the protection of two swivel guns manned by a garrison of six soldiers. One attack was made upon the fort, resulting in one scalping and two men captured. As the Indians gradually withdrew to Canada, the settlers moved out into their own newly built homes. The blockhouse continued to serve for worship and town affairs until the first meetinghouse was built in 1773. In 1788, the blockhouse was sold at auction for seven bushels of corn and moved to a farm in the intervale, where it was rebuilt as a hog house.[6]

New Gloucester was incorporated on March 8, 1774,[7] and was named after Gloucester, Massachusetts, the native home of a large share of the early settlers.[8]