How to Find the Right Xray Tech College near Antioch Tennessee
So you have decided to enroll in an X-ray tech school near Antioch TN in order to train to be a radiology technologist. And now that you have chosen to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, exactly how do you undertake selecting the right college and program so that you will get the proper training to become a qualified practitioner? And since most states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, based on where you subsequently work you might require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you investigate each of the X-ray technician schools you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Most potential students begin by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and typically gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while cost and location must be taken into account, there are other important qualifications as well. For instance, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internship programs. These inquiries and others you must ask the X-ray Tech schools you are evaluating are presented later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiology technician does and the degrees and education choices that are offered.
Radiology Technician Work Description in Antioch TN
There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the same major job description, which is to utilize imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many choose to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for instance mammography. They can work in Antioch TN hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech may utilize 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 and also regularly analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally required to retain in-depth records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.
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X-Ray Technician Degrees near Antioch TN
The standard prerequisite for attending an x-ray tech college is to have earned 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 typical among technicians, generally takes 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as four years to finish and is more comprehensive in scope. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that are appropriate as well. Something to consider is that radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It can often be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in Antioch TN or their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any certification or licensing requirements in Tennessee or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.
Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing
When you have graduated from an Radiologist college, based on the state where you will be employed you might need to be licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary so check with your state. Currently, all states that do require licensing will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the purpose of licensing, but many provide additional options for testing also. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. However, many Antioch area employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could improve your career options in and around Antioch TN to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an accepted program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every two years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.
Online Radiology Technologist Schools
As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree schools. So although you can still earn your online degree, a substantial amount of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Clinical training is typically performed in Antioch TN hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online section of the training can be attended in the comfort of your Antioch home. Students who keep working while earning their degree usually discover that the online approach to learning is much more practical with their active schedules. Plus online schools are often less expensive than on-campus options. In addition to reduced tuition, costs 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 advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured style of training, then an online school may be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Radiology Tech Schools
When you have decided on the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of finding and assessing x-ray tech schools near Antioch TN. You will also need to determine if you prefer to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the college will be relevant. The price of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be a material variable as well. But along with cost and location, what else should you consider when comparing colleges? Well, you need to check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you find out some of these essential details before you make your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you must ask the schools you are assessing.
Are the X-Ray Technician Programs Accredited? Most radiology tech schools have earned some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, 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). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through an extensive examination of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it might also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial aid and student loans, which are often not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And numerous Antioch TN employers will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level jobs.
Are Internships Offered? Inquire if the radiology technician programs you are reviewing have partnerships with regional clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a great means to obtain practical training in a clinical environment, they are also a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Antioch TN health care community and help with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help available? You will probably wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in Antioch TN in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Find out if the radiographer schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Tennessee healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? For many students, the school they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Antioch TN home. Those who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a school that is out of state or even out of your local area, you may need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will likely prefer a small class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Antioch TN colleges you are considering what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with a few of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology tech program as well.
Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the xray tech school you finally pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in the Antioch TN 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 have to enroll in. Also, ask what the procedure is for making up any classes that you might miss as a result of work, illness or family emergencies.
Top Online X Ray Technician Schools Antioch TN
Enrolling in the right x-ray technician college is a critical first step toward starting a fulfilling new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs often stand for the greater part of the workday and move and at times lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Candidates must also show an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to observe the safety guidelines developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best possible patient care. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Top Online X Ray Technician Schools and wanting more information on the topic Best Night Radiology Technician Schools. However, as we have addressed in this report, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at before making your ultimate selection. This is similarly true whether you opt for an online school or drive to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each program so you can narrow down your options before making your decision. And with the proper education and your commitment to be successful, you can achieve your goal to work as a radiology tech in Antioch TN.
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Antioch, Tennessee
Antioch is a neighborhood of Nashville approximately 12 miles Southeast of Nashville. It is served by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. The area is assigned to postal Zip Code 37013.
The community known as Antioch began at the convergence of Antioch Pike, Hickory Hollow Parkway, Blue Hole Road, and Mt. View Road. The original town of Antioch began as a church located by Mill Creek in 1810. Antioch was a commuter town because workers traveled to and from downtown Nashville. From the beginning, the town provided immediate services like a post office and general store. For planning purposes, the community was given the name Antioch–Priest Lake because the study area encompassed areas near J. Percy Priest Lake and the neighborhoods that grew from the heart of Antioch in the early 1800s.
In 1810, The First Baptist Church was organized in the area near Mill Creek. Then in 1820, a large landowner by the name of Charles Hays donated land for the church to build on, and began referring to it as the Church at Antioch, giving the town its name. Charles Hays based the name change on Bible scripture (Acts 11:26 KJV) which states "... and the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." The village was known as Antioch from 1820 onward. For a short time in the 1870s and 1880s, the post office designation for the village was Oneyville, named after the post master of that time, Dr. J. H. Oney. However, it was later changed back to the Antioch.
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