How to Choose the Best X-Ray Technician Degree Program near Glenolden Pennsylvania
So you have decided to enroll in an X-ray tech school near Glenolden PA in order to learn to be a radiology technologist. And now that you have decided to go into the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you undertake picking the right school and program so that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a skilled professional? And considering that the majority of states do require that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you might require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you assess each of the X-ray technician schools you are looking at so that you can compare each program. Most students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and typically settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location must be taken into consideration, there are other significant qualifiers also. For instance, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These inquiries and others you should ask the X-ray Tech schools you are evaluating are provided later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a radiology technician does and the degrees and education choices that are available.
Radiology Tech Career Description in Glenolden PA
There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, each has the identical primary job description, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many opt to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, such as mammography. They can practice in Glenolden PA hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech 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 maintain their equipment plus regularly assess its performance and safety. They are also required to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
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Radiology Tech Degrees Available near Glenolden PA
The primary prerequisite for attending an x-ray tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, generally takes 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finish and is more extensive in nature. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are acceptable also. Something to keep in mind is that radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may often be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which many schools sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in Glenolden PA or their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Pennsylvania or the state you will be working as applicable.
X-Ray Tech Licensing and Certification
After you have graduated from an Radiologist school, depending on the state where you will be working you might need to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so contact your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but a number offer additional options for testing as well. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, many Glenolden area employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may improve your career options in and around Glenolden PA to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.
Online Radiology Tech Schools
As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree schools. So while you can still obtain your online degree, a significant portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Practical training is typically conducted in Glenolden PA hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online segment of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Glenolden home. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree usually discover that the online style of education is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online schools are generally less costly than conventional options. In addition to reduced tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials may be decreased also. But just confirm that the online college you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then an online school may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Radiologic Tech Schools
When you have selected the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of locating and assessing x-ray technician colleges near Glenolden PA. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or drive to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the school will be relevant. The price of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be a material factor as well. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you factor in when comparing colleges? Well, you need to ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these important details before you make your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the schools you are looking at.
Are the Radiology Tech Colleges Accredited? The majority of xray technician colleges have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still imperative to confirm that the school and program are accredited. Among 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 gone through a rigorous review of their teachers and course materials. If the college is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Glenolden PA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry level openings.
Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the xray technician programs you are interested in have partnerships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only an excellent way to get practical experience in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help students and graduates establish professional connections in the Glenolden PA healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in Glenolden PA in a new field can be challenging without support. Find out if the x-ray tech schools you are considering have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good sign that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Pennsylvania healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will have to be within travelling distance of their Glenolden PA residence. Individuals 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 concern. One thing 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 may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally 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.
What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that likes to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Glenolden PA colleges you are reviewing what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate determination. This will also give you an opportunity to speak with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology tech program as well.
Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the radiographer school you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in the Glenolden PA area, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family emergencies.
Top Accelerated Radiology Technician Schools Glenolden PA
Enrolling in the right radiology tech college is a crucial first step toward beginning a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the majority of the day and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to observe the safety guidelines designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology technicians 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 good work environment and provide the best available care to patients. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Top Accelerated Radiology Technician Schools and wanting more information on the topic Best Weekend Radiologic Technologist Schools. However, as has been covered in this article, there are a number of questions that you should ask each college you are looking at before making your final decision. This is equally true whether you enroll in an online school or commute to classes on-campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each program so you can focus your choices before making your decision. And with the right training and your motivation to succeed, you can reach your goal to practice as a X-ray tech in Glenolden PA.
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Glenolden, Pennsylvania
Glenolden is located in eastern Delaware County at 39°53′56″N 75°17′33″W / 39.89889°N 75.29250°W / 39.89889; -75.29250 (39.898812, −75.292456).[4] It is bordered to east and southeast by the borough of Folcroft, to the southwest by Norwood, to the northwest by Ridley Township, to the north by Darby Township, and to the northeast by Collingdale.
As of Census 2010, the racial makeup of the borough was 86.9% White, 8.5% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population [2].
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,476 people, 3,058 households, and 1,871 families residing in the borough. The population density was 7,673.6 people per square mile (2,975.8/km²). There were 3,198 housing units at an average density of 3,282.5 per square mile (1,272.9/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 92.28% White, 4.03% African American, 0.04% Native American, 2.38% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.18% of the population.[6]
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