How to Select the Best X-Ray Tech Degree Program near Riverdale Georgia
So you have made the decision to enroll in an X-ray tech school near Riverdale GA in order to learn to be a radiologic technologist. But now that you have chosen to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, just how do you go about selecting the right college and program so that you will receive the appropriate training to become a qualified practitioner? And since the majority of states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you might require training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you investigate each of the X-ray technician schools you are considering so that you can compare each program. A number of potential students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and usually settle on the lowest cost. But while expense and location need to be taken into account, there are other important qualifiers also. For example, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you must ask the X-ray Tech schools you are evaluating are provided later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic tech does and the credentials and training options that are available.
X-Ray Technician Job Summary in Riverdale GA
There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, they all have the identical fundamental job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some elect to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They may work in Riverdale GA 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 must care for their equipment and frequently assess its functionality and safety. They are additionally expected to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
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X-Ray Technician Degrees Available near Riverdale GA
The standard requirement for attending an x-ray tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, usually takes 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to four years to complete and is more expansive in scope. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be acceptable also. One thing to consider is that radiographer schools 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 colleges offer through local clinics and hospitals in Riverdale GA or their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Georgia or the state you will be working as applicable.
Radiographer Licensing and Certification
Once you have graduated from an Radiologist school, based on the state where you will be practicing you may need to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so get in touch with your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but a number accept other options for testing also. Several states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. Having said that, many Riverdale area employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it might increase your career options in and around Riverdale GA to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.
Online Radiology Tech Schools
As a part of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree programs. So even though you can still earn your degree online, a substantial amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is typically conducted in Riverdale GA 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 Riverdale home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree usually find that the online style of learning is far more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are generally less costly than conventional alternatives. In addition to lower tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting may be decreased as well. But just make certain that the online school you pick is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online school may be the best choice for you.
Questions to Ask X Ray Tech Schools
When you have decided on the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of looking for and assessing x-ray technician colleges near Riverdale GA. You will also need to decide if you want to attend classes online or drive to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the school will be relevant. The cost of tuition and secondary expenditures will be an important factor as well. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you look at when evaluating schools? Well, you need to check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details before you make your selection, we have assembled a list of questions that you need to ask the programs you are considering.
Are the Radiology Tech Colleges Accredited? Most xray tech schools have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still important to confirm that the school and program 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). Programs receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive examination of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online 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 obtaining financial aid and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Riverdale GA health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level openings.
Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the radiology technician colleges you are evaluating have associations with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific manner to obtain practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help students and graduates develop professional connections in the Riverdale GA health care community and assist with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that first job in Riverdale GA in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Georgia healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Riverdale GA residence. Those who have decided to attend classes online obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something 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 might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Riverdale GA colleges you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the radiographer school you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Riverdale GA area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family obligations.
Requirements for Fast Track Radiology Tech Programs Riverdale GA
Selecting the right radiology technician school is a crucial first step toward beginning a satisfying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the greater part of the day and position and at times lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray 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 productive work environment and provide the best available care to patients. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Requirements for Fast Track Radiology Tech Programs and wanting more information on the topic How to Enroll in Accelerated Radiologic Tech Schools. However, as has been discussed in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are looking at 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 examine and compare each program so you can narrow down your options before making your decision. And with the appropriate education and your motivation to be successful, you can achieve your goal to work as a X-ray tech in Riverdale GA.
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Riverdale, Georgia
Riverdale is a city in Clayton County, Georgia, United States. The population was 15,134 at the 2010 census,[5] up from 12,478 in 2000. Riverdale is a suburb just south of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area.
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 12,478 people, 4,389 households, and 3,107 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,926.3 people per square mile (1,130.9/km²). There were 4,590 housing units at an average density of 1,076.4 per square mile (416.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 20.09% White, 67.42% African American, 0.30% Native American, 7.73% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 2.28% from other races, and 2.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.81% of the population.
There were 4,389 households out of which 44.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.3% were married couples living together, 25.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.32.
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