How to Pick the Best X-Ray Tech Degree Program near Waterbury Connecticut
So you have made the decision to enroll in an X-ray tech school near Waterbury CT in order to learn to be a radiology technician. But now that you have made a decision to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, exactly how do you go about picking the ideal college and program to ensure that you will get the appropriate training to become a qualified practitioner? And considering that most states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you may require training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s essential that you research each of the X-ray technician schools you are looking at so that you can compare each program. Many potential students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and frequently gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location should be taken into consideration, there are additional critical qualifications also. For instance, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you should ask the X-ray Tech schools you are considering are provided later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a x-ray technician does and the degrees and training choices that are available.
Radiology Technician Occupation Summary in Waterbury CT
There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, they all have the identical principal job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some choose to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They can practice in Waterbury CT hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician 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 take care of their equipment plus frequently analyze its performance and safety. They are also required to retain in-depth records of all 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 Tech Degrees Offered near Waterbury CT
The standard prerequisite for attending an x-ray tech program is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, normally requires 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finish and is more expansive in scope. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related 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 typically be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in Waterbury CT or their region. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Connecticut or the state you will be working as applicable.
Radiographer Licensing and Certification
Once you have graduated from an Radiologist school, depending on the state where you will be working you may have to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so check with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but several accept other options for testing as well. Some states also require certification as a component of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Waterbury area employers favor hiring radiology techs that have earned certification so it might increase your career options in and around Waterbury CT to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every 2 years, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.
Online X-Ray Technician 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 schools. So while you can still earn your online degree, a considerable amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Clinical training is typically performed in Waterbury CT hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your Waterbury residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree often find that the online approach to education is much more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online schools are generally less expensive than on-campus alternatives. Along with lower tuition, expenses for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But just make certain that the online college you pick is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online degree may be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges
After you have selected the kind of degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of searching for and evaluating x-ray tech colleges near Waterbury CT. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the college will be critical. The cost of tuition and secondary expenditures will be a material variable as well. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you look at when reviewing colleges? Well, you should ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these important details before you make your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you need to ask the schools you are assessing.
Are the Radiology Tech Programs Accredited? A large number of xray technician colleges have acquired some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to verify that the school and program 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 receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed evaluation of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial aid and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited schools. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Waterbury CT employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry level jobs.
Are Internships Provided? Ask if the xray tech programs you are interested in have partnerships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to get practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help graduates and students establish professional connections in the Waterbury CT healthcare community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in Waterbury CT in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the radiographer schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Connecticut healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Waterbury CT home. Those who have chosen 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. One thing to consider is that if you decide to enroll in a school 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 usually charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Waterbury CT colleges you are looking at what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the xray tech program you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Waterbury CT 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, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.
Guide to Online Radiology Technician Schools Waterbury CT
Choosing the appropriate radiology technician school is a crucial first step toward launching a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs regularly stand for the majority of the workday and position and sometimes lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety guidelines 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 good work environment and deliver the best possible patient care. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Guide to Online Radiology Technician Schools and wanting more information on the topic Radiology Technician Certificate Programs Online. However, as has been covered in this post, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are assessing before making your ultimate selection. This is equally true whether you opt for an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can analyze and compare each college so you can focus your choices and make your decision. And with the appropriate training and your motivation to succeed, you can achieve your goal to practice as a X-ray tech in Waterbury CT.
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Waterbury, Connecticut
Waterbury (nicknamed "The Brass City") is a city in the U.S. state of Connecticut on the Naugatuck River, 33 miles southwest of Hartford and 77 miles northeast of New York City. Waterbury is the second-largest city in New Haven County, Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, Waterbury had a population of 110,366,[3] making it the 10th largest city in the New York Metropolitan Area, 9th largest city in New England and the 5th largest city in Connecticut.[4]
Throughout the first half of the 20th century, Waterbury had large industrial interests and was the leading center in the United States for the manufacture of brassware (including castings and finishings), as reflected in the nickname the "Brass City" and the city's motto Quid Aere Perennius? ("What Is More Lasting Than Brass?"). It was also noted for the manufacture of watches and clocks.
The city is along Interstate 84 (Yankee Expressway) and Route 8 and has a Metro-North railroad station with connections to Grand Central Terminal. Waterbury is also home to Post University and the regional campuses of the University of Connecticut, University of Bridgeport, Western Connecticut State University as well as Naugatuck Valley Community College.
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