You would not know about X-ray tech school before knowing the professions in this field. X-ray techs are also referred to radiological technicians or radiographers. They are professionals in the field of health that are involved in injury and disease assessment by directly administering x-rays and radiation.

Radiographer studies have always been medical diagnosis’ cornerstone all through the decades. This field is the most affected by advances in technology because it is always in flux as the days go by.

For you to pursue a career in radiography, you are required to have completed post-secondary education. If you already have completed your post-secondary education, then you can pursue a certificate, associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in radiography. Most radiography programs expect the applicant to have an associate degree and a completed math and science coursework at their post-secondary levels, such as biology, physiology and anatomy and algebra.

College clinical observation experiences or university-affiliated institutions are frequently prerequisites for graduation.

Contents:

• X-Ray Tech School: Prerequisite Courses
• What Things to Consider When Choosing an X-Ray Tech School?
• X-Ray Tech Schools’ Programs
• Arizona Radiology Technologist Degree Programs
• X-Ray Tech Schools in New Jersey (NJ)
• X-Ray Tech School: Online Associate in Radiology Degree
• X-Ray Tech School: Radiologic Technology Online Bachelor’s Degree
• X-Ray Tech School: Online Master’s Degree in Radiologic Technology
• X-Ray Tech School: Online Doctorate in Radiologic Science Degree

X-Ray Tech School: Prerequisite Courses

X-ray tech training generally comprises of the following prerequisite courses:

• Physiology
• Biology
• Physics
• Anatomy
• Medical terminology
• Chemistry

Moreover, most radiologic program typically offers the following courses:

• Principle of imaging
• Radiation protection
• Pathology
• Radiobiology
• Patient care procedures
• Positioning of patients
• Medical ethics
• Radiation physics

Community colleges, 4-year universities, and technical colleges offer radiography programs.

There are different programs like those meant for those students who want to advance their education in radiography, and those that are completely new to the field there is a program specifically for them.

You also stand a chance to gain a lot of hand-on training, clinical in 3-6 month internship.

What Things to Consider When Choosing an X-Ray Tech School?

When selecting a school to pursue radiography, there are a couple of things you are supposed to consider. These are:

• Choose a school that has a program with hands-on laboratory courses and equipment that is up to date. This helps the students to accurately apply what they learn in class; since it does not help your skills when in theory you are being taught about a 21st-century equipment but you are using the 18th equipment. This will disadvantage you when you get to the job market because you will be unable to handle the current equipment. Putting in mind that technology advancement on equipment comes with its own sophistication.
• The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) requires radiographers to complete their studies in an x-ray tech school that has an accredited program. This helps to make them eligible for professional certification for a state license.
• As a student, you may want to look at the school you are interested in performance rate or pass rate in the first time ARRT exam. This will help you best rate the x-ray tech school’s radiographer program competence. Most of the schools with an impressive pass rate happen to produce great and professional student. In as much as it is not about the school but the individual, there is much to be said about a school whose students have all failed the ARRT exam.
• The student should also be aware of schools that have the experience requirement, which involves volunteer work in a radiology setting. This can really be of great help in sharpening your skills before you graduate.

X-ray tech students make use of technology and computerized equipment to get body images for purposes of diagnoses. They might specialize in a specific bodily system, such as skeletal, digestive, cardiac, or urinary.

X-Ray Tech Schools’ Programs

1. Certificate in Radiologic Technology

This program prepares the student to utilize advanced medical technology to examine the body systems with medicine and science-based coursework together with practical experience.

This comprises mainly on instructions using x-ray equipment and developing x-ray films. This involves learning how to place the patient in a position that ensures you get the most accurate pictures. You also learn how to reduce the amount of radiation the patient is exposed to when you are using the equipment on them. Additionally, you get to complete practical supervised instructions in a clinical setting, which gives you a feel of the real thing. This program involves the following programs: radiobiology, radiographic procedures and imaging modalities.

Certified radiologic graduates frequently take up more certificate programs in advanced imaging fields. These are:

• Computed tomography (CT scans)
• Mammography
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MR)
• Cardiovascular-interventional technologies
• Nuclear Medicine Technology

2. Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology

This x-ray tech school program comprises of the coursework of a certificate program together with general education classes. The students also have the option of pursuing advanced radiologic technology electives. This program aims at providing its students with clinical experience and comprehensive training, which are very crucial in a competent entry-level radiologic technologist’s employment.

It takes five semesters which is about two and a half year of fulltime of study.

Students in this x-ray tech school program learn how to help doctors in the diagnosis of patients, to use radiation or radiologic equipment such as x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). They also learn how to adhere to crucial safety protocol and follow instructions given by physicians.

This program’s curriculum consists of technology courses, lab sessions and coursework in health and clinical rotations. The importance of clinical rotation is that the student gains experience, since they work with patients and operate equipment under supervision, in a real health care setting.

Internship and clinical courses also make up the program and courses in:

• Radiation protection
• Principles of radiography
• Cross-sectional anatomy
• Radiographic procedures
• Imaging equipment
• Exposure principle
• Radiographic positioning

3. Bachelor’s Degree in Radiologic Technology

It may be a 4-year x-ray tech program or a completion program specifically for licenced radiographers for 2 years. Both of these programs comprise of coursework in advanced procedures and practices together with clinical training.

This program could be more appealing to students who are looking into getting a master’s degree program, probably so they can pursue an administrative position in the field of healthcare.

It offers a tremendous amount of clinical experience opportunities to students, added to course work in marketing or managing information system.

The X-ray tech school student also has a chance to combine a bachelor and associate degree, where they undergo a 2-year radiologic technology than a 4-year program in subjects like allied health.

Some of the courses in this program are:

• Pathophysiology
• Advanced radiologic procedures
• Health care management

After completing this program, the graduates may be eligible for an American Registry of Radiologist Technologist national certification examination in radiologic technology.

Radiographers after graduating from X-ray school can practice in the following:

• As general radiographers such as computerized tomography (CT), cardiac catheterization studies, vascular imaging, orthopaedics, paediatrics and mammography, and magnetic resonance imaging.
• Professionals in radiography can work in medical fields, clinics, physicians’ office and community and private hospital

Arizona Radiology Technologist Degree Programs

Are you looking for an X-ray tech school in Arizona? There are plenty of universities and colleges in Arizona that have different programs for radiographers that offer certificates and degrees.

The following are programs that are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCET) as of 2014:

1. Pima community college (Tucson)
2. Arizona Western College (Yuma)
3. Central Arizona College (Apache junction)

Arizona Radiology Technologist Degree Programs

1. Pima Community College

Just as the Central Arizona College, this x-ray tech school also offers an Associate in Applied Science in Radiographic Technology, which prepares its students for entry level employment and the certification exam administered by ARRT.

Before you apply for this program, the applicants are expected to complete a series of medical terms prerequisites in algebra, medical terms, physiology, and anatomy.

The x-ray school students are required to focus on radiographic positions and medical imaging, complete an on-campus course work and participate in thorough clinical rotations in local hospitals and medical facilities. They are also expected to complete a minimum of 1800 hours of weekdays’ clinical work complying by the Arizona Medical Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners’ rules.

2. Arizona Western College

In order to get into the associate in application science in a radiologic technology program, the applicants are expected to get at least a 50% score, which is considered a pass in the Health Occupations Basic Entrance Exam (HOBET). The HOBET comprise of 170 questions in math, science. English and reading.

The program is a 22-month full-time package, which starts out with an orientation to introduce and make sure the students are ready for their first clinical rotation. Initially, the students do 12 hours of clinical rotation per week and progress to do up to 40 hours when the program is about to come to an end.

X-ray tech students who enroll to this program are expected to work on weekends and evenings, to make sure they are exposed to diverse situations.

3. Central Arizona College

They have a highly competitive radiologic technology associate in applied science program, which takes two academic years to complete.

The x-ray tech school graduates are thoroughly prepared so they are eligible for the American Registry Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam. They are also prepared for entry-level employment.

The students are required to complete intensive on-site clinical rotations and coursework. Applicants are urged to go for the information session, which earns them points. Additionally, applicants are advised to complete as many education requirements as they can before they apply for the program, this increases their chances in being accepted in the program due to its competitive nature.

4. Carrington College

This is one of the x-ray schools that set out to give quality college education where instructors are always at student’s disposal. They also offer grants, scholarships, and loans to help fund students, who do not have enough finances. They offer a 2-year radiography program; with great student support services geared towards helping the student succeed. These are:

• Career guidance — after graduation the school helps to search jobs in your career and resume writing.
• Clinical rotations, externships, and fieldwork — the school gives you opportunities to help get a practical feel in the real world before you graduate.
• Fixed tuition fee all through the program, helps you to know what to pay from the beginning to the end.
• Support outside the classroom — the school has an ASPIRE service that helps the students to deal with legal issues, housing assistance, personal problems and other financial concerns.

Other schools that offer radiologic technology courses in Arizona include:

1. Pima Medical Institute-mesa (Mesa)
2. Yavapai College (Prescott)
3. Gateway community college (phoenix)

X-Ray Tech Schools in New Jersey (NJ)

There are numerous x-ray tech schools in New Jersey that offer a broad range of programs in specialized radiologic technology and radiologic technology like nuclear medicine and interventional radiography.

They also have online programs for technician schools and radiologic technologist which may be fit for students who want a flexible program.

Below are some of the colleges that offer radiography programs:

• Burlington County College

Its radiography program leads to Associate of Applied Science (AAS).

It offers radiography education that covers radiation protection, patient care, and patient positioning.

The courses required are equipment operation and maintenance, radiographic exposure, medical terminology, fundamentals of anatomy and biology and clinical procedures, and there are offered in Pemberton campus.

Students take up clinical days at New Jersey local hospitals and imaging centers, on top of participating in learning in the classroom.

This program is accredited by the New Jersey Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners and Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.

They make sure that graduates have attained knowledge required to begin a medical imaging career at the entry level and pass the ARRT exam.

• Brookdale Community College

This x-ray tech school has a full-time professional degree program that gives an Associate of Applied Science degree in radiologic technology.

Students attend 35-40 hours per week when they pursue laboratory practice or clinical practicum. That is a clinical practicum for 6 weeks during the first summer and 3 weeks during the second summer.

Graduates from Brookdale x-ray tech schools work with diverse range of patients and families, demonstrate effective communication skills, evaluate imaging procedures, apply social sciences and humanities’ principles, work with different groups of families and patients, understand and value professional growth and be qualified as radiologic technologist entry-level.

• Englewood Hospitals and Medical Center

This x-ray tech school is a full-service community hospital and a Mount Sinai school of medicine affiliate. Its medical imaging equipment is ranked among the best in the region, and students get to work with radiologists in the hospital setting.

Thee Englewood hospital’s radiology department handle almost 120,000 procedures annually, in mammography, bone densitometry, nuclear medicine, diagnostic imaging and CT and MRI scanning.

• Essex County College

Students that go to this x-ray tech school earn an Associate of Applied Science degree.

Since the radiology program is very competitive, applicants have to enroll as general science students first before applying as a radiology student.

Students are expected to complete a sequential radiography curriculum that is inclusive of radiographic pathology, radiation biology, radiation protection, contrast media, paediatric radiography, general psychology and radiologic positioning principles.

Other x-ray tech schools in New Jersey:

1. Bergen Community College
2. Shore Medical Center
3. Care point Health Christ Hospital
4. St. Francis Medical Center
5. Cooper University Hospital
6. Valley Hospital
7. Cumberland County College
8. Health East Trinity

Given that the field of radiology is growing with time, there is so much need for distance learning radiology degree program. Although the opportunities are limited and most of these online programs involve online classes and sometimes the students are required to attend traditional classes on campus or in a hospital and clinical course work.

While other online programs only allow students that are certified or are seeking to advance their career in management positions or teaching to enroll.

Therefore, the program is ideal to those that want to advance and are currently on the field practicing. This explains why most of those enrolled in this program have a certificate, associate degree, or are certified by ARRT.

Students in this x-ray tech online school learn about gaining a deeper understanding of important concepts such as ethical and professional conduct and modalities, and the health care management fundamentals.

Some online x-ray tech program offers academic tracks to enable students to attain competency in areas like clinical, education, management and may require a certain amount of clinical hours to complete for one to graduate.

X-Ray Tech School: Online Associate in Radiology Degree

The online associate in radiology degree is a two-year program that prepares its students for the ARRT exam, to certify one as a registered radiographer.

The students complete a core of general education classes that are specifically related to radiology and science.

Some of the course work needed to earn an AS degree in radiologic technology includes:

• Introduction to radiographic processing — a study of the design and function of digital imaging equipment and radiographic darkroom.
• Human anatomy and physiology 1 — uses homeostasis as a unifying concept to study the human body’s function and structure.
• Radiographic anatomy and positioning — involves an introduction to basic terminology and studying the basic positions for radiographic examination of the human body.
• College algebra and trigonometry 1 — students are introduced to trigonometry and prove a background in pre-calculus algebra.

X-Ray Tech School: Radiologic Technology Online Bachelor’s Degree

It is a four-year degree program.

It begins out by giving the same career foundations as a radiologic technologist found in the associate degree program, but a series of advanced and more detailed courses is added.

This program also sets out to give its students a boost in their career and help them get leadership positions employment.

Here are some of the courses offered for this program:

• Introduction to human anatomy — involves introductory coursework to the human anatomy system like musculoskeletal structure.
• Clinical decisions in radiology — it is inclusive of topics like consumer safety and drug regulations, sources and effects of drugs and safe dose preparation.
• Introduction to radiologic science
• Radiologic health physics
• Quality management
• Pathophysiology

X-Ray Tech School: Online Master’s Degree in Radiologic Technology

This x-ray tech school online program is pursued by three specific career tracks like Radiologist association (RA), which is growing in popularity and is an advanced- practice radiologic technologist who ,works under a radiologist’s supervision and also assist in assessing the patient and managing radiological procedures. To become an RA, you have to be certified by ARRT, an advanced academic course of study and a clinical preceptorship.

The other two are administration, education. The program takes a minimum of two years full-time study.

The program covers the following courses:

• Contemporary trends in radiologic science
• Abdominal imaging and procedures
• Musculoskeletal imaging and procedures
• Vascular and lymphatic imaging
• Health behavior and managerial epidemiology
• Advanced patient assessment, management and education
• Financial management in radiologic administration
• Research methods
• Clinical practicum

X-Ray Tech School: Online Doctorate in Radiologic Science Degree

This x-ray tech school online program mainly focusses on the development of clinical research methods in the radiological sciences.

Most programs combine MD/Ph.D. require the student to have earned MD before starting on Ph.D.

Even though x-ray tech schools are not as many, it does not mean you will end up choosing a school that does not suit you. Do your research well and thoroughly decide on which program you will go for, and go for it.

SOURCES:

www.innerbody.com

study.com

www.radiologyschools411.com

www.radiologyschools411.com