Radiology Forums

Microwave · Joined: 04 May 2008 Posts: 3 Location: California

Marc, Thanks for taking your time to answer my questions. Yeah, I heard that there are many impacted programs in California, but three years? that's crazy. Shocked

Make sure to watch out for accredited programs vs non accredited programs. I heard that many hospitals won't hire RTs unless they went to an accredited program.

hjhogle · Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 7:27 am Post subject:

No, watching out for non-accredited programs is more important than that.

If you do not attend an accredited program, you will not be eligible to take the national certification exam, and you will not BE an RT. You might be someone who has been through a program, you might call yourself an radiologic technologist, but you will not be an "R.T." and will not be able to use those credentials after your name - because you will not have the credentials.

For a list of accredited programs, look here: http://www.arrt.org/index.html?content=http://www.arrt.org/nd/listOfSchools.ndm/listSchools&iframe=yes

If they're not on the list? They're not accredited.

hjh, RT

mrimike · Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 13

Microwave,

I'm a huge advocate for hospital-based certificate programs, so I always advise people to seek those out first. In my opinion (generalized of course there are always exceptions) hospital programs offer a far superior education than 2 year college programs.

The reasoning is twofold.

1) In a hospital program you're devoting two work-years 100% to radiology. In the college program you waste time on other crap just to get your associates degree. In a hospital program you usually get significant clinical time EVERY single day for two years. In a college program you'll have large period of just academics with no clinical time at all, and you likely won't be putting 40 hours a week into radiology either.

2) I've noticed that some college programs tend to use smaller clinical sites with a more limited experience and easier patients. Hospitals which have their own programs are always larger facilities where you'll get a MUCH wider range of experience, a LOT more trauma, and much more difficult patients. My hospital let me train and work in CT a significant part of my two years, and I was able to take my CT registry immediately after passing my regular xray boards. You can't get that experience in a college program.

Since 100% of my training was at a major level one trauma center, I (and my classmates) was prepared to jump right in without hesitation or learning curve after graduating. I can't say that about as many students from associates programs. You want the most difficult and backbreaking experience possible as a student.

Just my opinion of course, but I suggest finding a hospital program if you can. It will also likely be cheaper.
_________________
Mike Faulkner R.T.(R)(CT)(MR)