How to Find the Best Xray Technician Program near Ashford Alabama
So you have decided to enroll in an X-ray tech school near Ashford AL in order to learn to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have chosen to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, exactly how do you go about choosing the ideal school and program to ensure that you will get the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And because the majority of states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you might require preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the X-ray technician schools you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. A number of potential students begin by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and usually gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while expense and location should be considered, there are other important qualifications as well. For instance, you should ask whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you should ask the X-ray Tech schools you are evaluating are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic tech does and the degrees and education choices that are available.
X-Ray Technician Career Summary in Ashford AL
There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, they all have the same fundamental job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many choose to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They can practice in Ashford AL clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician may 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 frequently analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to keep detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
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Radiology Tech Degrees Available near Ashford AL
The basic prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech school is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, normally requires 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 complete and is more expansive in nature. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are acceptable also. Something to bear in mind is that radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may often be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which many schools sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in Ashford AL or their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Alabama or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
X-Ray Tech Licensing and Certification
Once you have graduated from an x-ray technician school, depending on the state where you will be working you may have to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their criteria vary so get in touch with your state. At present, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but many offer other options for testing also. A number of states also require certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, many Ashford area employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it could enhance your career options in and around Ashford AL to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every 2 years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.
Online X-Ray Technologist Programs
As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree colleges. So even though you can still obtain your online degree, a significant portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Clinical training is usually performed in Ashford AL family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Ashford residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree often discover that the online style of education is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are often more affordable than on-campus options. Along with lower tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be lessened also. But just confirm that the online college you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online degree may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Radiographer Schools
When you have selected the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of locating and evaluating x-ray technician schools near Ashford AL. You will also need to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or drive to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be relevant. The cost of tuition and secondary expenses will be a material factor also. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you factor in when comparing colleges? Well, you should 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 should ask the schools you are reviewing.
Are the X-Ray Tech Programs Accredited? The majority of xray tech colleges have obtained some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to make sure that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly regarded 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 rigorous assessment of their instructors and course materials. If the program is online it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations 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 help in securing financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Ashford AL health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level jobs.
Are Internships Offered? Ask if the xray technician colleges you are evaluating have associations with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to receive practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist students and graduates form professional relationships in the Ashford AL healthcare community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that first job in Ashford AL in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Alabama healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the college they pick will have to be within driving distance of their Ashford AL residence. Individuals who have decided to attend online classes naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Ashford AL schools you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the xray technician program also.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the radiographer school you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Ashford AL area, verify that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
X Ray Tech Classes Ashford AL
Choosing the appropriate radiology tech college is a critical first step toward launching a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs often stand for the greater part of the day and move and in some cases lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best available patient care. You originally came to this website due to an interest in X Ray Tech Classes and wanting more information on the topic X Ray Tech Night School. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are looking at before making your ultimate selection. This is equally true whether you enroll in an online program or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each program so you can focus your choices and make your final choice. And with the appropriate education and your motivation to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to work as a X-ray tech in Ashford AL.
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Ashford, Alabama
Ashford is a town[4] in Houston County, Alabama, United States. It is part of the Dothan, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town was incorporated in June 1891.[5] For most of its history, it was a center for naval stores production, pulpwood harvesting, and cotton agriculture. The population was 2,148 at the 2010 census,[6] up from 1,853 at the 2000 census.
Ashford is located slightly northeast of the center of Houston County at 31°11′3″N 85°14′7″W / 31.18417°N 85.23528°W / 31.18417; -85.23528 (31.184032, -85.235286).[7]U.S. Route 84 passes through the southern part of the town, leading west 9 miles (14 km) to Dothan and southeast 24 miles (39 km) to Donalsonville, Georgia. The Chattahoochee River, which forms the Georgia state line, is 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Ashford on US 84.
In March 1888, the Alabama Midland Railway built a small depot of Victorian railroad architecture in Ashford to be a waystation along the Bainbridge-to-Montgomery route. The depot was the only building to survive the 1915 fire that destroyed the rest of the town. The original depot received additions at least twice—an enclosed warehouse and open loading dock were added to the east, followed by racially segregated passenger waiting rooms on the west side. The depot faced two sidings that served for loading turpentine from the Adams Company still one block away, and pulpwood. Cotton bales, fertilizer, and a single sweet potato crop were loaded from both sidings.
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