How to Pick the Right Radiology Tech Program near Augusta Maine
So you have made the decision to enroll in an X-ray tech school near Augusta ME so you can train to be a radiology technologist. But now that you have made a decision to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you undertake choosing the right college and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a qualified practitioner? And considering that most states do require that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you might require preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s essential that you investigate each of the X-ray technician schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Many prospective students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and frequently gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while cost and location should be taken into account, there are other critical qualifiers also. For instance, you need to ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the X-ray Tech schools you are reviewing are provided later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray technician does and the credentials and education options that are offered.
Radiology Tech Work Description in Augusta ME
There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has 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 might also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many elect to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They may work in Augusta ME clinics, hospitals, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech may utilize 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 assess its functionality and safety. They are additionally expected to retain detailed records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
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X-Ray Tech Degree Options near Augusta ME
The standard prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech program is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to finish and is more comprehensive in scope. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be acceptable also. One thing to consider is that radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may frequently be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which many schools sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in Augusta ME or their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification requirements in Maine or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing
When you have graduated from an Radiologist school, depending on the state where you will be practicing you may have to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary so check with your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but many offer additional options for testing also. A number of states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. However, many Augusta area employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it may enhance your career options in and around Augusta ME to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every two years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.
Online X-Ray Tech Schools
As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree schools. So although you can still obtain your online degree, a large amount of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is typically carried out in Augusta ME hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online section of the training can be attended in the comfort of your Augusta home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree typically find that the online approach to learning is far more practical with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are generally more affordable than conventional options. In addition to lower tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials can be decreased also. But just confirm that the online program you choose 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 right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Radiographer Colleges
After you have chosen the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of locating and evaluating x-ray technician schools near Augusta ME. You will also have to determine if you want to attend online classes or travel to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the school will be critical. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be a determining factor also. But along with cost and location, what else should you factor in when evaluating colleges? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these essential details before you make your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the colleges you are considering.
Are the X-Ray Tech Colleges Accredited? Most xray technician colleges have received some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still imperative to make sure that the school and program are accredited. Among 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 gone through a rigorous review of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited schools. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Augusta ME health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level positions.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask if the xray technician colleges you are interested in have associations with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent manner to obtain hands on training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist students and graduates establish professional connections in the Augusta ME health care community and help with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduating, but getting that initial job in Augusta ME in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Maine healthcare employers. It also confirms that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Augusta ME residence. Individuals who have decided 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 concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will probably want a small class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Augusta ME colleges you are researching what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the xray technician program as well.
Can the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must confirm that the xray tech school you ultimately pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Augusta ME area, make sure that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Schools That Offer X Ray Tech Augusta ME
Enrolling in the ideal radiology tech college 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 shape. Radiology techs typically stand for the majority of the day and position and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and deliver the best available care to patients. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Schools That Offer X Ray Tech and wanting more information on the topic Accredited X Ray Technician Programs. However, as we have addressed in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are assessing prior to making your final selection. This is equally true whether you opt for an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each school so you can narrow down your choices before making your final choice. And with the right training and your motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as a X-ray tech in Augusta ME.
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Augusta, Maine
The city's population was 19,136 at the 2010 census, making it the third-least populous state capital in the United States after Montpelier, Vermont and Pierre, South Dakota, and the ninth-most populous city in Maine. Located on the Kennebec River at the head of tide, Augusta is home to the University of Maine at Augusta. Augusta is also the principal city in the Augusta-Waterville Micropolitan Statistical Area.
The area was first explored by the ill-fated Popham Colony in September 1607. It was first inhabited by English settlers from the Plymouth Colony in 1628 as a trading post on the Kennebec River. The settlement was known by its Indian name—Cushnoc (or Coussinoc or Koussinoc), meaning "head of the tide." Fur trading was at first profitable, but with Indian uprisings and declining revenues, the Plymouth Colony sold the Kennebec Patent in 1661. Cushnoc would remain unoccupied for the next 75 years.[6] This area was inhabited by the Kennebec Indians, a band of the larger Abenaki tribe. During the 17th century, they were on friendly terms with the English settlers in the region.[7][8]
A hotbed of Abenaki hostility toward British settlements was located further up the Kennebec at Norridgewock. In 1722, the tribe and its allies attacked Fort Richmond (now Richmond) and destroyed Brunswick. In response, Norridgewock was sacked in 1724 during Dummer's War, when English forces gained tentative control of the Kennebec. During the height of the French and Indian War, a blockhouse named Fort Western (now the oldest wooden fort in America), was built at Cushnoc on the eastern bank of the Kennebec River in 1754. It was intended as a supply depot for Fort Halifax upriver, as well as to protect its own region from French attack.[9] Later, during the American Revolutionary War Benedict Arnold and his 1,100 troops would use Fort Western as a staging area before continuing their journey up the Kennebec to the Battle of Quebec.
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