How to Enroll in the Best X Ray Tech Degree Program near Sellersville Pennsylvania
So you have decided to enroll in an X-ray tech school near Sellersville PA in order to learn to be a radiology technician. But now that you have made a decision to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you go about picking the ideal school and program to ensure that you will receive the proper training to become a qualified professional? And considering that the majority of states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you might need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you assess each of the X-ray technician schools you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. Most students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they check tuition and often settle on the lowest cost. But while cost and location should be considered, there are additional significant qualifications as well. For instance, you should ask if the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These questions and others you should ask the X-ray Tech schools you are considering are presented later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a radiology tech does and the credentials and education options that are available.
X-Ray Tech Work Description in Sellersville PA
There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, they all have the identical fundamental job function, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many choose to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They may work in Sellersville PA clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech 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 take care of their equipment and also regularly evaluate its functionality and safety. They are additionally expected to retain 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.
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Radiology Technician Degrees Available near Sellersville PA
The standard requirement for attending a radiology tech college is to have attained 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 typical among techs, normally takes 18 months to two years to finish depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as 4 years to finish and is more extensive in nature. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are acceptable also. One thing to bear in mind is that radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It can typically be fulfilled by taking part in an externship program which many schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in Sellersville PA or their region. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must abide by any certification or licensing requirements in Pennsylvania or the state you will be working as applicable.
X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing
When you have graduated from an Radiologist program, based on the state where you will be practicing you might need to be licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their prerequisites vary so check with your state. Presently, all states that do require licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many accept other alternatives for testing as well. A number of states also require certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is voluntary. However, numerous Sellersville area employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it could enhance your career options in and around Sellersville PA to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.
Online Radiology Tech Colleges
As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree schools. So even though you can still earn your online degree, a considerable amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is typically performed in Sellersville PA family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online section of the training may be accessed in the privacy of your Sellersville residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree often discover that the online approach to education is much more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online programs are generally cheaper than traditional options. Along with lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be reduced also. But just confirm that the online program you choose 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.
What to Ask Radiologic Tech Colleges
Once 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 Sellersville PA. You will also have to determine if you want to attend classes online or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then of course the location of the college will be important. The cost of tuition and secondary expenses will be a determining factor also. But along with cost and location, what more should you look at when evaluating colleges? Well, you should ask if the colleges are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details before you make your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the schools you are considering.
Are the X-Ray Tech Programs Accredited? A large number of xray tech colleges have earned some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Nevertheless, it’s still important to make sure that the school and program are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Sellersville PA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level jobs.
Are Internships Provided? Inquire if the xray technician programs you are reviewing have partnerships with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great way to get hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can help graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Sellersville PA healthcare community and assist with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in Sellersville PA in a new field can be difficult without assistance. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Pennsylvania healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the College Located? For many students, the college they decide on will need to be within commuting distance of their Sellersville PA residence. Individuals who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges usually charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges usually 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 rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will probably prefer a small class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Sellersville PA schools you are reviewing what the typical 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 a few of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program also.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to verify that the xray tech college you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Sellersville PA area, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family emergencies.
Accelerated X Ray Tech Program Sellersville PA
Picking the right radiology tech degree program is a crucial first step toward beginning a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs frequently stand for the greater part of the day and position and at times lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray 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 good work environment and deliver the best possible care to patients. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Accelerated X Ray Tech Program and wanting more information on the topic Accredited Radiologic Technician Programs. However, as we have covered in this report, there are a number of questions that you should ask each school you are assessing before making your final selection. This is similarly true whether you opt for an online program or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each program so you can narrow down your choices and make your decision. And with the proper training and your commitment to be successful, you can achieve your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Sellersville PA.
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Sellersville, Pennsylvania
Sellersville was founded in the early 18th century. It was centered on a major road known as Bethlehem Pike that connected Philadelphia to Bethlehem and the rest of what was then far Western Pennsylvania. The town was very small and was called Sellers Tavern. Its most notable feature was a large inn. The present Washington House in Sellersville, however, was not Sellers Tavern. The town grew slowly over the years until the Industrial Revolution. In the 1860s the North Pennsylvania Railroad was built, running parallel to Bethlehem Pike: this stimulated the growth of light textile industries and brought a wave of population growth. The East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek runs through the town which connects it to an adjacent town of Perkasie. This creek was dammed in the early 20th century creating a small body of water known as Lake Lenape. Along the length of the lake a park was built on Perkasie and Sellersville lands. In the 1920s and 1930s this park housed a carousel, a roller coaster and several other amusements. The railroad brought hundreds of people from Philadelphia in the summer time, and it became a well known vacation spot for blue collar city workers. The town was also home to the Radium Company of America, which was the largest uranium milling facility in the world at the time. A business operating under the name of the United States Gauge Company originated in Sellersville in 1904 and allegedly became a prominent manufacturer of gauges for military use, many of which were coated with radium-based paint[3] for night-time luminescence. The company later became instrumental in the production of nuclear weapons,[4] leaving behind a legacy of industrial and radioactive contamination that has been well-hidden by local, county, state, and federal government agencies for decades.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Today the town is still relatively small, sandwiched in between a ridge line and the larger town of Perkasie. The center of town still runs along Bethlehem Pike which is now called Old Route 309. The Washington House has recently been restored to become an upscale restaurant. Next door to the restaurant was a livery stable, which was converted into a theater (later a movie theater) in 1894. It has since been restored, and reopened in 2001 as Sellersville Theater 1894- a popular live music venue. The creek is still dammed but only the carousel in Perkasie remains of the amusements. The textile industry has long moved out of the area and Sellersville has become mainly a residential town for people working in the many urban centers that are only a short commute away. Grand View Hospital, Bucks County’s first hospital, has provided residents of Bucks and Montgomery counties with comprehensive healthcare services since 1913. The town is surrounded on three sides by open country and spread out housing developments. The local firehouse provides various activities throughout the year, including a carnival in the summer. The Holiday House Pool and Recreation Center becomes a hotspot for people to escape the heat during the summer as well. There are various businesses along Main Street, one being the Washington House, which provide some jobs as well, but largely the town remains a residential area. There is a Sellersville Museum off of Main Street which displays different exhibits every month.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2), of which, 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of it (1.69%) is water. It is located in Southeastern Pennsylvania as part of Northern Bucks County (colloquially referred to as Upper Bucks) which borders Northampton County, and Lehigh County.
As of the census[16] of 2010, there were 4,249 people residing in the borough. The racial makeup of the borough was 93.6% White, 1.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.4% of the population.
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