How to Enroll in the Right Radiology Technician Course near Athens Maine
So you have made the decision to enroll in an X-ray tech school near Athens ME so you can train to be a radiology technologist. But now that you have made a decision to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you go about choosing the ideal college and program to ensure that you will get the appropriate training to become a qualified professional? And because most states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately work you may need training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s essential that you assess each of the X-ray technician schools you are considering in order to evaluate each program. Many students begin by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and frequently settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location must be taken into account, there are other critical qualifiers as well. For example, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the X-ray Tech schools you are examining are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic technician does and the degrees and education options that are offered.
Radiology Technician Occupation Description in Athens ME
There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, they all have the same primary job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some opt to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They can work in Athens ME 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 maintain their equipment and also routinely evaluate its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
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Radiology Technician Degrees Offered near Athens ME
The basic prerequisite for attending an x-ray tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, usually takes 18 months to two years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 4 years to complete and is more extensive in scope. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be appropriate as well. One thing to consider is that radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It may often be fulfilled by taking part in an externship program which many schools offer through local hospitals and clinics in Athens ME or their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any certification or licensing mandates in Maine or the state you will be working as applicable.
Radiographer Licensing and Certification
Once you have graduated from an X-Ray tech school, depending 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 check with your state. Currently, 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 part of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. Having said that, many Athens area employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it might increase your career options in and around Athens ME to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.
Online X-Ray Tech Classes
As a part of every 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 while you can still earn your degree online, a large amount of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Practical training is typically conducted in Athens ME hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online segment of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Athens residence. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree usually find that the online approach to education is much more practical with their active schedules. Plus online programs are generally less costly than conventional alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials may be reduced as well. But just make certain that the online college you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online degree may be the best choice for you.
Questions to Ask Radiology Tech Programs
As soon as you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of locating and assessing x-ray tech colleges near Athens ME. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be critical. The cost of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be an important variable as well. But along with cost and location, what else should you look at when reviewing schools? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you find out some of these important details before you make your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are considering.
Are the X-Ray Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of xray technician schools have earned some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, it’s still important to make sure that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs earning accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive assessment of their teachers and educational materials. If the program is online it might also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also assist in securing financial aid and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Athens ME employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level jobs.
Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the radiology technician programs you are reviewing have associations with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they can help students and graduates develop professional connections in the Athens ME medical community and help with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that initial job in Athens ME in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Maine healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the college they decide on will have to be within driving distance of their Athens ME home. Those who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you decide 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 normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of student that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Athens ME schools you are researching what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program also.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the radiographer school you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Athens ME area, confirm that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would have to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
X Ray Tech Training Online Athens ME
Enrolling in the best x-ray tech school is a crucial first step toward starting a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs often stand for the majority of the day and position and at times lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. You originally came to this website due to an interest in X Ray Tech Training Online and wanting more information on the topic X Ray Technician Schools Online. However, as has been covered in this article, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are assessing before making your final decision. This is equally true whether you enroll in an online program or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each school so you can narrow down your choices and make your final choice. And with the right training and your dedication to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiographer in Athens ME.
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Athens, Maine
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,019 people, 391 households, and 270 families residing in the town. The population density was 23.4 inhabitants per square mile (9.0/km2). There were 577 housing units at an average density of 13.2 per square mile (5.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.4% White, 0.2% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.
There were 391 households of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 8.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.9% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 2.99.
The median age in the town was 40.4 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.7% were from 25 to 44; 29.9% were from 45 to 64; and 12.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.7% male and 49.3% female.
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