How to Choose the Best Radiology Tech School near Stahlstown Pennsylvania
So you have made the decision to enroll in an X-ray tech school near Stahlstown PA in order to train to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have made a decision to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you undertake choosing the ideal college and program so that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled professional? And considering that the majority of states do mandate that radiology technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you may need training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s imperative that you investigate each of the X-ray technician schools you are looking at so that you can evaluate each program. Many prospective students start by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and usually settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location should be considered, there are other critical qualifiers also. For instance, you need to ask if 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 radiologic tech does and the degrees and education choices that are offered.
Radiology Technician Job Summary in Stahlstown PA
There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, they all have the same fundamental job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some elect to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for example mammography. They may practice in Stahlstown PA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician might work with include:
- Traditional and specialized X-Rays
- Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Sonography or ultrasound
- Fluoroscopy
Radiographers must care for their equipment and routinely analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally required to keep complete 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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Radiology Tech Degrees near Stahlstown PA
The standard requirement for attending an x-ray tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, normally requires 18 months to two years to complete based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as 4 years to complete and is more expansive in scope. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that are acceptable also. One thing 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 typically be satisfied by participating in an externship program which many schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in Stahlstown PA or their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must comply with any certification or licensing mandates in Pennsylvania or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
Radiologic Technologist Licensing and Certification
Once you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, based on the state where you will be practicing you may have to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their prerequisites differ so contact your state. Currently, all states that do require licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many approve other options for testing also. A number of states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is voluntary. However, numerous Stahlstown area employers favor hiring radiology techs that have earned certification so it may enhance your career options in and around Stahlstown PA to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every 2 years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.
Online X-Ray Technologist Programs
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 colleges. So even though you can still obtain your online degree, a significant portion of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an externship off-campus. Clinical training is often performed in Stahlstown PA family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online portion of the training can be attended in the comfort of your Stahlstown residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree often find that the online style of learning is far more practical with their hectic schedules. Plus online programs are often more affordable than conventional alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials can be reduced as well. But just make sure that the online college you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then online classes may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Radiographer Programs
As soon as you have decided on the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can start the process of searching for and assessing x-ray tech schools near Stahlstown PA. You will also have to decide if you prefer to attend classes online or drive 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 expenditures will be a material variable as well. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you consider when evaluating schools? Well, you need to ask if the schools are accredited, and if they provide externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these important details before you make your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you must ask the colleges you are looking at.
Are the X-Ray Tech Schools Accredited? A large number of radiology technician colleges have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still imperative to verify that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies 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 an extensive assessment of their instructors and educational materials. If the program is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in securing financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Stahlstown PA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level jobs.
Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask if the radiology technician programs you are reviewing have relationships with local hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a great way to get hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist graduates and students form professional relationships in the Stahlstown PA healthcare community and help with obtaining employment.
Is Job Placement Assistance offered? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that initial job in Stahlstown PA in a new profession can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good sign that the schools have large networks and good 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 school they decide on will need to be within travelling distance of their Stahlstown PA home. Individuals who have decided 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 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 normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.
How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of student that likes to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Stahlstown PA colleges you are looking at what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the xray tech program as well.
Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the xray tech program you ultimately select can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly essential if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to schedule evening or weekend classes in the Stahlstown PA area, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option 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 may miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Colleges That Have Radiology Technician Stahlstown PA
Picking the best x-ray tech degree program is an important first step toward launching a satisfying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs often stand for the majority of the workday and move and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing social skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best available patient care. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Colleges That Have Radiology Technician and wanting more information on the topic Where to Find Online X Ray Tech Schools. However, as has been discussed in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each school you are reviewing prior to making your final decision. This is just as true whether you decide on an online school or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each school so you can narrow down your options before making your final choice. And with the right education and your commitment to succeed, you can achieve your goal to work as a radiographer in Stahlstown PA.
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Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Westmoreland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. At the 2010 census, the population was 365,169.[1] The county seat is Greensburg.[2] Formed from, successively, Lancaster, Northumberland, and later Bedford Counties, Westmoreland County was founded on February 26, 1773, and was the first county in the colony of Pennsylvania whose entire territorial boundary was located west of the Allegheny Mountains. Westmoreland County originally included the present-day counties of Fayette, Washington, Greene, and parts of Beaver, Allegheny, Indiana, and Armstrong counties. It is named after Westmorland, a historic county of England.
At the 2010 census,[9] there were 365,169 people, 153,650 households and 101,928 families residing in the county. The population density was 355.4 per square mile (137.2/km²). There were 168,199 housing units at an average density of 163.7 per square mile (63.2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.3% White, 2.3% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. 0.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 153,650 households of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.86.
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