How to Choose the Right Xray Technician School near New Kensington Pennsylvania
So you have made the decision to enroll in an X-ray tech school near New Kensington PA so you can train to be a radiology technician. But now that you have made a decision to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you undertake choosing the ideal college and program to ensure that you will obtain the proper training to become a qualified professional? And considering that most states do mandate that x-ray technicians become licensed, based on where you subsequently work you may need training 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 compare each program. Most potential students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and often settle on the lowest cost. But while location and cost should be taken into consideration, there are additional significant qualifications also. For example, you should find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the X-ray Tech schools you are considering are provided later in this post. But first, let’s discuss what a radiology technician does and the credentials and training options that are available.
X-Ray Technician Job Description in New Kensington PA
There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the identical major job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many opt to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, such as mammography. They can practice in New Kensington PA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist might 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 care for their equipment and also routinely assess its performance and safety. They are additionally required to retain 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 Degree Options near New Kensington PA
The basic prerequisite for enrolling in an x-ray tech college is to have received a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, usually takes 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as much as 4 years to complete and is more expansive in nature. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that are acceptable as well. Something to bear in mind is that radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may frequently be fulfilled by taking part in an externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in New Kensington PA or their area. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification mandates in Pennsylvania or the state you will be working as applicable.
Radiographer Licensing and Certification
When you have graduated from an x-ray technician program, depending on the state where you will be employed you might have to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their requirements differ so check with your state. Currently, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but a number accept additional alternatives for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. Having said that, numerous New Kensington area employers favor hiring radiology techs that are certified so it may improve your career options in and around New Kensington PA to become certified. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every other year, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.
Online X-Ray 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 no different for online degree programs. So while you can still earn your online degree, a large portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is often performed in New Kensington PA hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online segment of the training may be attended in the comfort of your New Kensington home. Students who keep working while earning their degree often find that the online approach to education is much more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online colleges are frequently less costly than traditional options. Along with reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be lessened as well. But just confirm that the online school you pick is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online degree may be the right choice for you.
Topics to Ask X Ray Tech Schools
Once you have selected the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of searching for and evaluating x-ray tech schools near New Kensington PA. You will also have to decide if you want to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be relevant. The price of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be a material factor as well. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you factor in when evaluating schools? Well, you need to find out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these crucial details prior to making your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you must ask the colleges you are reviewing.
Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? The majority of xray tech colleges have earned some form 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). Programs earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed examination of their instructors and course materials. If the college is online it can also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online learning. All accrediting agencies should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many New Kensington PA employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level openings.
Are Internship Programs Offered? Inquire if the radiology tech colleges you are assessing have partnerships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to obtain practical experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a means to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can help graduates and students establish professional relationships in the New Kensington PA healthcare community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably wish to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in New Kensington PA in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are assessing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Pennsylvania healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.
Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their New Kensington PA 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 local internships will be of concern. One thing to consider 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 commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the New Kensington PA schools you are reviewing what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the xray technician program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must confirm that the radiographer program you finally select can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the New Kensington PA area, confirm 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 have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of illness, work or family obligations.
Guide to Accelerated X Ray Technician Schools New Kensington PA
Picking the right radiology tech school is an important first step toward initiating a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer should be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs frequently stand for the greater part of the workday and position and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to observe the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. Radiology technicians work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best available patient care. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Guide to Accelerated X Ray Technician Schools and wanting more information on the topic Radiologic Technologist Training. However, as we have addressed in this report, there are several questions that you need to ask each college you are considering before making your final selection. This is similarly true whether you decide on an online school or commute to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each school so you can focus your choices before making your decision. And with the right education and your dedication to be successful, you can reach your goal to practice as a radiology tech in New Kensington PA.
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New Kensington, Pennsylvania
New Kensington, known locally as New Ken, is a city in Westmoreland County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, situated along the Allegheny River 18 miles (29 km) northeast of Pittsburgh. The population was 13,116 at the 2010 Census.
Like much of Westmoreland County and surrounding areas, the region was a hunting ground for Native Americans of the Six Nations European-American settlement began in the mid-1700s. Continental army troops built Fort Crawford, near the mouth of Pucketa Creek, in 1777. The fort was abandoned in 1793.
Originally part of Burrell (and later Lower Burrell) Township, the city of New Kensington was founded in 1891. In 1890, the Burrell Improvement Company considered the advantages of the level land south of its home in Lower Burrell, and deemed it a prime location for a city and named the area "Kensington"; this was later changed to "New Kensington" for postal reasons, to avoid confusion with the Philadelphia neighborhood of the same name. In an attempt to make New Kensington comparable to Pittsburgh, the streets were named with numbers. Avenues ran parallel to the river, while streets were perpendicular. The main commercial streets were 4th and 5th avenues.
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