How to Find the Best X-Ray Technician Program near Levittown Pennsylvania
So you have made the decision to enroll in an X-ray tech school near Levittown PA in order to train to be a radiology technologist. And now that you have decided to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you set about picking the right school and program so that you will get the proper training to become a skilled professional? And considering that the majority of states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently practice you might need preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you investigate each of the X-ray technician schools you are considering in order to compare each program. Many students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and often gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location must be taken into consideration, there are other critical qualifiers also. For example, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you should ask the X-ray Tech schools you are evaluating are provided later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic technician does and the degrees and education options that are available.
X-Ray Technician Occupation Summary in Levittown PA
There are multiple professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. Regardless of the name, they all have the same primary job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many choose to work as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for example mammography. They may work in Levittown PA clinics, hospitals, private 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 take care of their equipment and frequently evaluate its performance and safety. They are additionally expected to keep in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.
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X-Ray Tech Degree Options near Levittown PA
The standard requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, generally takes 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finish and is more extensive in nature. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that are acceptable as well. Something to keep in mind is that radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may frequently be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which many colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in Levittown PA or their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification requirements in Pennsylvania or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
X-Ray Tech Licensing and Certification
Once you have graduated from an Radiologist program, based on the state where you will be practicing you may have to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria vary so contact your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but several accept other options for testing also. Some states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, if not it is voluntary. However, numerous Levittown area employers will only hire radiology techs that are certified so it could increase your career options in and around Levittown PA to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every other year, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.
Online X-Ray Technologist Classes
As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree programs. So although you can still earn your online degree, a considerable portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Practical training is often performed in Levittown PA family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training may be attended in the comfort of your Levittown residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree usually find that the online approach to education is much more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online colleges are often cheaper than on-campus options. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting may be reduced as well. But just make sure that the online school you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online school may be the best option for you.
Questions to Ask Radiologic Tech Programs
As soon as you have decided on the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of searching for and assessing x-ray technician colleges near Levittown PA. You will also have to determine if you prefer to attend online classes or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be important. The price of tuition and supplementary expenses will be a determining variable also. But along with cost and location, what else should you consider when reviewing schools? Well, you should ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these important details before you make your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are assessing.
Are the Radiology Tech Colleges Accredited? The majority of radiology tech colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still imperative to verify that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive evaluation of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a quality education, accreditation will also help in getting financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous Levittown PA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level jobs.
Are Internship Programs Offered? Ask if the xray tech programs you are assessing have partnerships with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific way to obtain hands on training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Levittown PA healthcare community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly wish to secure employment quickly after graduation, but getting that first job in Levittown PA in a new profession can be difficult without help. Find out if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Pennsylvania healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the college they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Levittown PA home. Individuals who have decided to attend classes online obviously 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 consider is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges generally charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of student that prefers to sit way in the back of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Levittown PA schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to speak with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the xray tech college you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Levittown PA area, make certain that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.
Compare Local X Ray Tech Schools Levittown PA
Selecting the appropriate x-ray tech degree program is an important first step toward launching a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. Radiology techs often stand for the majority of the day and position and at times lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best possible care to patients. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Compare Local X Ray Tech Schools and wanting more information on the topic Guide to Fast Track X Ray Technician Schools. However, as we have covered in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each program you are looking at before making your ultimate decision. This is just as true whether you decide on an online program or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can examine and compare each college so you can focus your options before making your final choice. And with the proper training and your dedication to succeed, you can realize your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Levittown PA.
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Levittown, Pennsylvania
Levittown is a census-designated place (CDP) and planned community in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States, within the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The population was 52,983 at the 2010 census.[2] It is 40 feet (12 m) above sea level. Though not a municipality, it is sometimes recognized as the largest suburb of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania[3] (while Upper Darby Township, Lower Merion Township, Bensalem Township, Abington Township and Bristol Township are municipalities larger in size in the three surrounding Pennsylvania counties). Starting with land purchased in 1951, it was planned and built by Levitt & Sons. The brothers Bill Levitt and architect Alfred Levitt designed its six typical houses.
The majority of the land on which it is built was purchased in 1951. Levitt and Sons only built six models of houses in Levittown, all single-family dwellings with lawns: the Levittowner, the Rancher, the Jubilee, the Pennsylvanian, the Colonial and the Country Clubber, with only modest exterior variations within each model. The homes were moderately priced and required only a low down payment. Construction of Levittown began in February 1952, soon after completion of Levittown, New York, located on Long Island. Levittown, Pennsylvania was the second "Levittown" built by William J. Levitt, who is often credited as the creator of the modern American suburb. To speed up construction, Levitt & Sons perfected a 26-step rationalized building method that was essentially an assembly line type of home building. The house remained stationary, while the construction workers moved from house to house. Each worker had one task such as pouring slabs, framing, installing electric sockets or installing washing machines. This highly regimented process enabled Levitt's workers to produce a finished house every 16 minutes. Construction of the homes commenced in 1952 and when completed in 1958, 17,311 homes were built.
What set Levittown apart from other developments at the time was that it was built as a complete community. Levitt & Sons designed neighborhoods with traffic-calming curvilinear roads, in which there were no four-way intersections. Each neighborhood had within its boundaries a site donated by Levitt & Sons for a public elementary school. Locations for churches and other public facilities were set aside on main thoroughfares such as the Levittown Parkway, likewise donated by the builder to religious groups and other organizations. Other amenities included Olympic-sized public pools, parks, "greenbelts", baseball fields and playgrounds, and a shopping center located in neighboring Tullytown borough that was considered large and modern at the time of its construction (and in fact was the largest east of the Mississippi). The first set of four sample homes were put on display in a swatch of land near the future Levittown Shop-a-Rama, and an estimated 30,000 people viewed them in that first weekend.[4]
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