How to Choose the Right X-Ray Technician College near Morganton North Carolina
So you have made the decision to enroll in an X-ray tech school near Morganton NC in order to become a radiology technologist. And now that you have made a decision to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you undertake choosing the ideal college and program so that you will receive the proper training to become a skilled professional? And considering that the majority of states do require that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you might need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s essential that you research each of the X-ray technician schools you are considering in order to compare each program. A number of prospective students start by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and usually gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while cost and location should be taken into account, there are other important qualifications as well. For instance, you need to find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you should ask the X-ray Tech schools you are evaluating are provided later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray tech does and the degrees and education options that are available.
X-Ray Tech Occupation Description in Morganton NC
There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, they all have the same fundamental job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many elect to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They may practice in Morganton NC hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician may work with include:
- Traditional and specialized X-Rays
- Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Sonography or ultrasound
- Fluoroscopy
Radiographers have to maintain their equipment and routinely analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to keep complete 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 Degrees Offered near Morganton NC
The basic prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have received a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as 4 years to finish and is more expansive in nature. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are appropriate as well. Something to bear in mind is that radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can typically be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in Morganton NC or their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any certification or licensing mandates in North Carolina or the state you will be working as applicable.
X-Ray Tech Licensing and Certification
After you have graduated from an X-Ray tech program, depending on the state where you will be working you might need to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their prerequisites differ so get in touch with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but a number offer additional alternatives for testing as well. Some states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is optional. However, many Morganton area employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could improve your career options in and around Morganton NC to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also requires re-certification every 2 years, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.
Online Radiology Technologist Colleges
As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree schools. So although you can still obtain your online degree, a significant portion of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is usually provided in Morganton NC family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online portion of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Morganton home. Students who keep working while earning their degree typically discover that the online approach to learning is much more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are generally cheaper than on-campus alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be decreased as well. But just make certain that the online school you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online degree may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Radiology Tech Programs
After you have decided on the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of finding and assessing x-ray tech colleges near Morganton NC. You will also have to determine if you want to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be relevant. The price of tuition and secondary expenses will be a determining variable as well. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you consider when comparing schools? Well, you need to check out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these essential details prior to making your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you must ask the schools you are looking at.
Are the Radiology Tech Colleges Accredited? A large number of radiology technician colleges have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still imperative to confirm that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly respected 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 gone through a rigorous examination of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And a number of Morganton NC employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry-level positions.
Are Internships Sponsored? Find out if the xray technician programs you are reviewing have associations with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to obtain practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may assist students and graduates establish professional relationships in the Morganton NC healthcare 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 Morganton NC in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the x-ray tech schools you are reviewing have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with North Carolina healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they select will need to be within travelling distance of their Morganton NC residence. Students who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will likely want a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Morganton NC schools you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the xray tech program as well.
Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the radiographer program you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Morganton NC area, check that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family obligations.
Radiologic Technologist Degree Morganton NC
Picking the ideal radiology technician college is an important first step toward initiating a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs frequently stand for the majority of the workday and move and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having social skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and provide the best possible patient care. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Radiologic Technologist Degree and wanting more information on the topic X Ray Technician 2 Year Degree. However, as has been discussed in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each school you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you opt for an online school or drive to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can analyze and compare each school so you can focus your choices before making your final choice. And with the appropriate training and your motivation to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a radiologic technologist in Morganton NC.
Other North Carolina Diagnostic Locations
Morganton, North Carolina
Morganton is one of the principal cities in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area. A site five miles north of here has been identified as the Mississippian culture chiefdom of Joara, occupied from AD 1400 to AD 1600. This was also the site of Fort San Juan, built in 1567 by a Spanish expedition as the first European settlement in the interior of North America, 40 years before the English settlement of Jamestown, Virginia.
The oldest-known European inland (non-coastal) settlement in the United States of Fort San Juan has been identified at Joara, a former Mississippian culture chiefdom located about five miles north of present-day Morganton. In 1567 a Spanish expedition built the fort there, while seeking to establish an interior route to Mexican silver mines. This was more than 40 years before the English settled Jamestown, Virginia, their first permanent settlement in North America.[6]
The Spanish left a 31-man garrison that occupied the fort for 18 months before being overcome in a Mississippian attack. Five other Spanish forts in the larger interior region were also destroyed about that time. Only one soldier survived. The fort and Indian settlement have been under professional excavation since the early 21st century, with findings published since 2004.[7][8][9] Europeans associated with the British colonies did not try to settle this far west for nearly 200 years, organizing Burke County in 1777.
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