How to Pick the Right X-Ray Tech School near Summerville Georgia
So you have decided to enroll in an X-ray tech school near Summerville GA in order to become a radiology technician. But now that you have made a decision to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you go about selecting the right college and program so that you will get the proper training to become a qualified practitioner? And because most states do require that radiology technicians become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you may require training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you investigate each of the X-ray technician schools you are looking at so that you can compare each program. A number of students start by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and usually settle on the most affordable cost. But while expense and location must be taken into consideration, there are other critical qualifiers also. For example, you must ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you should ask the X-ray Tech schools you are considering are presented later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic tech does and the credentials and education choices that are offered.
Radiology Technician Career Summary in Summerville GA
There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, each has the identical fundamental job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some elect to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for example mammography. They can work in Summerville GA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist may 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 also routinely evaluate its performance and safety. They are also required to retain detailed 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 Offered near Summerville GA
The standard prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech school is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. 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, generally takes 18 months to two years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to complete and is more extensive in nature. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional related majors that are appropriate as well. One thing to keep in mind is that radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can frequently be satisfied by participating in an externship program which many schools sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in Summerville GA or their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing requirements in Georgia or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
X-ray Technician Licensing and Certification
When you have graduated from an x-ray technician school, depending on the state where you will be practicing you may have to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their prerequisites differ so check with your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many approve additional options for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is optional. However, numerous Summerville area employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might increase your career options in and around Summerville GA to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every 2 years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.
Online Radiology Tech Classes
As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree schools. So although you can still earn your online degree, a significant portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a college lab or in an internship off-campus. Clinical training is usually carried out in Summerville GA family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online segment of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your Summerville residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree usually discover that the online style of learning is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online colleges are often cheaper than on-campus alternatives. Along with reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials can be decreased also. But just make certain that the online college you select 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 online classes may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Radiology Tech Programs
When you have decided on the type of degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of finding and assessing x-ray technician colleges near Summerville GA. You will also have to determine if you want to attend classes online or drive to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the college will be critical. The price of tuition and ancillary expenses will be an important factor also. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you look at when reviewing colleges? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these crucial details before you make your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you need to ask the colleges you are reviewing.
Are the Radiology Tech Schools Accredited? A large number of radiology tech schools have received some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still important to make sure that the school and program are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it can 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 guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also help in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Summerville GA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level jobs.
Are Internships Provided? Find out if the xray tech schools you are interested in have relationships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to get 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 assist graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Summerville GA medical community and assist with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in Summerville GA in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Georgia healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their Summerville GA home. Individuals who have opted to attend classes online obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Summerville GA colleges you are reviewing what the typical 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 speak with some of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology tech program also.
Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the xray tech school you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you opt to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Summerville GA area, check that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out 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 might miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Requirements for Weekend X Ray Tech Schools Summerville GA
Choosing the right x-ray technician college is an important first step toward launching a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs typically stand for the majority of the day and move and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements 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. Possessing social skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and furnish the best available care to patients. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Requirements for Weekend X Ray Tech Schools and wanting more information on the topic How to Enroll in Part Time X Ray Technician Schools. However, as we have discussed in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each school you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you decide on an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can analyze and compare each program so you can focus your choices and make your decision. And with the proper education and your dedication to be successful, you can achieve your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Summerville GA.
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Summerville, Georgia
Summerville was founded in 1838 as the seat of the newly formed Chattooga County. It was incorporated as a town in 1839 and as a city in 1909.[5] Summerville was named from the fact it was a popular summer resort.[6] The city thrived in the late 1880s with the construction of the Chattanooga, Rome and Columbus Railroad (later part of the Central of Georgia system).[7]
The Chattooga County Courthouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was completed in 1909.[7] The Summerville Depot, completed by the Central of Georgia in 1918, is also listed on the National Register, and is home to several annual festivals.[8]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.0 square miles (10.3 km²), all of it land. The city lies along the Chattooga River at the western base of an elongate mountain known as Taylor’s Ridge. U.S. Route 27 connects Summerville with Chattanooga, Tennessee, to the north, and Rome to the southeast. Georgia State Route 114 connects the city with Lyerly to the south, and Georgia State Route 48 connects the city with Menlo near the Alabama state line to the west.
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