How to Choose the Best X Ray Technician School near Pleasant Garden North Carolina
So you have made the decision to enroll in an X-ray tech school near Pleasant Garden NC in order to become a radiology technician. And now that you have chosen to enter the gratifying field of healthcare, just how do you go about picking the right college and program so that you will get the proper training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that most states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you may need training to pass a licensing exam. So it’s imperative that you investigate each of the X-ray technician schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Most students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and often settle on the most affordable cost. But while location and cost must be taken into consideration, there are other critical qualifiers as well. For instance, you should ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These inquiries and others you should ask the X-ray Tech schools you are evaluating are presented later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a radiologic tech does and the degrees and education choices that are offered.
X-Ray Technician Job Description in Pleasant Garden NC
There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the identical primary job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some opt to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for instance mammography. They may practice in Pleasant Garden NC hospitals, clinics, 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 have to take care of their equipment plus frequently evaluate its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to keep in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
Click Here For Free Information on X-Ray Tech Schools Near You!
X-Ray Tech Degrees Offered near Pleasant Garden NC
The basic requirement for enrolling in an x-ray tech college is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among techs, usually takes 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as four years to complete and is more comprehensive in nature. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be acceptable also. One thing to keep in mind is that radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may often be satisfied by taking part in an externship program which many colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in Pleasant Garden NC or their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification mandates in North Carolina or the state you will be working as applicable.
X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing
Once you have graduated from an X-Ray tech program, depending on the state where you will be working you may have to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their prerequisites differ so contact your state. At present, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but several provide other options for testing also. A number of states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. However, numerous Pleasant Garden area employers prefer to hire radiology techs that are certified so it may increase your career options in and around Pleasant Garden NC to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every 2 years, which may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.
Online Radiology Technician Colleges
As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree programs. So while you can still earn your degree online, a significant portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Clinical training is usually provided in Pleasant Garden NC hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online portion of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Pleasant Garden residence. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree often discover that the online approach to education is much more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are frequently less costly than conventional options. Along with reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be reduced also. But just make sure that the online college you select 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 Radiology Tech Schools
When you have selected the type of degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of searching for and assessing x-ray technician colleges near Pleasant Garden NC. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or drive 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 a determining factor as well. But along with location and cost, what else should you factor in when comparing schools? Well, you should check out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these essential details prior to making your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the schools you are assessing.
Are the Radiology Tech Schools Accredited? The majority of xray tech schools have received some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still important to confirm that the program and school 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone a detailed examination of their instructors and educational materials. If the college is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online 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 help in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Pleasant Garden NC health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level openings.
Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the xray tech colleges you are assessing have associations with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent means to obtain practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist graduates and students develop professional connections in the Pleasant Garden NC medical community and help with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Help offered? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in Pleasant Garden NC in a new field can be challenging without support. Ask if the radiographer schools you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with North Carolina healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Pleasant Garden NC residence. Those who have chosen to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to bear 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 generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Pleasant Garden NC colleges you are reviewing what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the xray technician program as well.
Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the radiographer program you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Pleasant Garden NC area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would have to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to work, illness or family obligations.
Radiology Tech Courses Pleasant Garden NC
Choosing the best radiology technician school is an important first step toward initiating a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs often stand for the greater part of the day and position and at times lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to follow the safety guidelines 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 necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and furnish the best available patient care. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Radiology Tech Courses and wanting more information on the topic Radiology Technician Programs Near Me. However, as has been covered in this report, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are assessing before making your final decision. This is similarly true whether you enroll in an online school or drive to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each program so you can narrow down your options before making your decision. And with the proper training and your motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Pleasant Garden NC.
Other North Carolina Diagnostic Locations
Pleasant Garden, North Carolina
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 15.4 square miles (40 km2), of which, 15.3 square miles (40 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of it (0.26%) is water.
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 4,714 people, 1,783 households, and 1,383 families residing in the town. The population density was 307.2 people per square mile (118.6/km²). There were 1,874 housing units at an average density of 122.1 per square mile (47.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 85.19% White, 11.24% African American, 1.08% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.63% of the population.
There were 1,783 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.3% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.4% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 2.97.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 4
5 Reviews 
2 Reviews 
4 Reviews 
9 Reviews 