How to Enroll in the Right X-Ray Technician Degree Program near Pleasant Grove Alabama
So you have made the decision to enroll in an X-ray tech school near Pleasant Grove AL in order to learn to be a radiologic technician. But now that you have chosen to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, just how do you undertake selecting the right school and program so that you will receive the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And since most states do mandate that x-ray technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you may require preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you investigate each of the X-ray technician schools you are considering so that you can compare each program. Many potential students begin by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and often gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while location and cost must be taken into account, there are additional critical qualifications also. For example, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the X-ray Tech schools you are reviewing are presented later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a x-ray technician does and the degrees and training choices that are available.
X-Ray Tech Job Description in Pleasant Grove AL
There are multiple 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 same primary job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many elect to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They can practice in Pleasant Grove AL hospitals, clinics, family 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 have to care for their equipment and also regularly analyze its performance and safety. They are also required to keep detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
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X-Ray Tech Degrees near Pleasant Grove AL
The standard requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech program is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to finish and is more expansive in scope. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are appropriate also. One thing to bear in mind is that radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may often be fulfilled by participating in an externship program which a large number of colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in Pleasant Grove AL or their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Alabama or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
Radiologic Technologist Licensing and Certification
Once you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, based on the state where you will be working you may have to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so contact your state. Currently, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many approve additional alternatives for testing also. Some states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is optional. However, numerous Pleasant Grove area employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might increase your career options in and around Pleasant Grove AL to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every other year, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.
Online Radiology Technician Colleges
As a component of any 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 degree online, a significant amount of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is often conducted in Pleasant Grove AL hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Pleasant Grove home. Students who keep working while earning their degree often discover that the online approach to learning is far more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online colleges are generally less expensive than traditional alternatives. Along with reduced tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting may be decreased as well. But just make certain that the online school you select is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online degree may be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Radiologic Tech Schools
Once you have decided on the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of locating and evaluating x-ray tech colleges near Pleasant Grove AL. You will also have to decide if you want to attend classes online or drive to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be critical. The price of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a determining factor as well. But along with cost and location, what else should you look at when reviewing schools? Well, you need to check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these important details prior to making your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you must ask the programs you are assessing.
Are the X-Ray Technician Schools Accredited? Most xray tech schools have acquired some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still crucial to verify that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive examination of their instructors and educational materials. If the program is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online 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 assist in getting financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Pleasant Grove AL employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry-level openings.
Are Internships Offered? Inquire if the xray tech schools you are reviewing have relationships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to obtain practical experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Pleasant Grove AL medical community and assist with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in Pleasant Grove AL in a new field 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 good relationships with Alabama healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Pleasant Grove AL home. Students who have decided 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 importance. One thing to consider is that if you decide 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 commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Pleasant Grove AL schools you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the xray tech program as well.
Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the xray tech program you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Pleasant Grove AL area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Accredited Xray Tech Schools Pleasant Grove AL
Choosing the right radiology technician college is a critical first step toward starting a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the majority of the working day and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and provide the best possible patient care. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Accredited Xray Tech Schools and wanting more information on the topic Where to Find Part Time X Ray Technician Courses. However, as has been discussed in this report, there are several questions that you need to ask each school you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection. This is equally true whether you participate in an online school or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can evaluate and compare each college so you can focus your choices before making your decision. And with the appropriate training and your commitment to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a X-ray tech in Pleasant Grove AL.
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Pleasant Grove, Alabama
It was established in 1889, but incorporated as a city in January 1937. The incorporation came about by reason of a rather unusual circumstance. The town sits on land honeycombed by coal mines. For many years the residents had relied on water wells for their water supply. As years passed and more mining was done, Pleasant Grove found itself confronted with a problem. Residents would sometimes go to their well to draw water only to find there was none. The water had gone into the mines.
During the mid to late 30s, the Federal Government had a program for financing the building of local water systems. In exploring the possibility of securing such funds, it was revealed that in order to secure such financing a community must be legally incorporated. At this time the incorporation became a reality.
The first appointed Mayor of Pleasant Grove was W.P. Stone. The city is governed by a mayor and five council members who serve four-year terms. Elections for city officials is held during the summer of each leap year with four-year terms beginning the first Monday in October. The area known as Pleasant Grove, Alabama was first homesteaded in September 1836. Pleasant Grove is in Jefferson County. Although no one seems to know when or exactly how the town came by its name, old documents indicate that at least part of this area was called Pleasant Grove as early as 1884. Pleasant Grove was made up of four communities which included Frog Pond, Lizard Ridge, Cottage Hill, and Pleasant Grove.
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