Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Rockland ME 04841 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Select an Xray Technician Degree Program near Rockland Maine

Rockland ME x-ray tech internship program Congrats on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Rockland ME so you can train to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have decided to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, just how do you tackle choosing the right school and program to ensure that you will get the appropriate training to become a qualified practitioner? And since the majority of states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you may require preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the colleges you are looking at in order to compare each program. A number of potential students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and often settle on the lowest cost. But while location and cost should be taken into account, there are additional significant qualifiers also. For instance, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are reviewing are presented later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology tech does and the degrees and education options that are offered.

X-Ray Technician Job Summary

There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the identical major job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many choose to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for example mammography. They can work in Rockland ME clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist 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 regularly evaluate its functionality and safety. They are also required to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Rockland ME health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Technician Degree Options

x-ray machine in Rockland ME The standard requirement for enrolling in an x-ray tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among techs, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to four years to finish and is more comprehensive in nature. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are appropriate also. Something to bear in mind is that Rockland ME radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can frequently be satisfied by taking part in an externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Maine or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiographer Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an Radiologist school, depending on the state where you will be employed you might need to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their criteria vary so check with your state. Currently, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but several accept additional alternatives for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, many Rockland ME employers will only hire radiology techs that are certified so it might enhance your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Technologist Classes

attending x-ray tech school online in Rockland 04841 As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree programs. So even though you can still obtain your online degree, a substantial portion of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is usually provided in local 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 Rockland ME home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree usually discover that the online style of learning is far more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online programs are generally less expensive than conventional options. Along with reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be lessened as well. But just confirm that the online school you pick is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online school may be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Radiologic Tech Colleges

After you have chosen the type of degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of finding and assessing Rockland ME x-ray technician schools. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or travel to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be relevant. The price of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be an important variable also. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you factor in when evaluating colleges? Well, you need to check out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details before you make your selection, we have compiled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are considering.

Are the X-Ray Technician Programs Accredited? Most radiology technician schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still crucial to make sure 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). Programs earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and course materials. If the college 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 recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Rockland ME health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the Maine radiology tech colleges you are reviewing have associations with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to receive hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Rockland ME health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want 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 schools you are interviewing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Rockland ME healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will have to be within driving distance of their Rockland ME home. Students who have chosen to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps 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 commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Rockland ME colleges you are researching 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 ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the radiographer college you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Rockland ME, make sure that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Radiologic Technologist?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask radiographer prospects is "What compelled you to pick radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the private reasons you may have for being an X-Ray tech, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you should prepare a number of approaches about how you want to answer them. Because 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, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the best choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Right Radiology Tech Program near Rockland ME

Choosing the appropriate radiology tech degree program is a crucial first step toward beginning a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs often stand for the majority of the workday and position and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to observe the safety guidelines designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having social skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and deliver the best available care to patients. As has been addressed in this report, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are considering before making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you enroll in an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each school so you can focus your choices before making your decision. And with the right education and your commitment to be successful, you can reach your goal to practice as a x-ray tech in Rockland ME.

Some Background on Rockland Maine

Rockland, Maine

Rockland is a city in Knox County, Maine, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 7,297. It is the county seat of Knox County.[4] The city is a popular tourist destination. It is a departure point for the Maine State Ferry Service to the islands of Penobscot Bay: Vinalhaven, North Haven and Matinicus.

Abenaki Indians called it Catawamteak, meaning "great landing place." In 1767, John Lermond and his two brothers from Warren built a camp to produce oak staves and pine lumber. Thereafter known as Lermond's Cove, it was first settled about 1769. When in 1777 Thomaston was incorporated, Lermond's Cove became a district called Shore village. On July 28, 1848, it was set off as the town of East Thomaston. Renamed Rockland in 1850, it was chartered as a city in 1854.[5]

Rockland developed rapidly because of shipbuilding and lime production. In 1854 alone, the city built eleven ships, three barks, six brigs and four schooners. The city had twelve lime quarries and 125 lime kilns, with upwards of 300 vessels to transport the mineral to various ports in the country.[6]

In March 1877, the Granite Cutters' International Union was formed in Rockland. It was one of the earliest craft unions in the United States and formed among the region's growing granite industry.

By 1886, shipbuilding was surpassed by the lime business, which had twelve manufacturers employing 1,000 workers. Nevertheless, Rockland had three or more shipyards, a marine railway, five sail lofts and two boatbuilders. Other industries included three grain mills, two foundries, three carriage factories, six lumber mills, two machine shops, three cooperies, one tannery, four granite and marble works, two boot and shoe factories, and four printing offices. Fishing was also important. Fleets of Friendship Sloops sailed between the harbor and fishing grounds across Penobscot Bay.[7]