Radiology Forums

Erik · Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 1

Hi i am a 22 year old man with a wife and child i have never been to college but am recently thinking about it. I work Construction Full time often long hours. But i am looking to switch careers into a medical field I am a High School Graduate I canot attend School full time i can do part time but because of a full time job my options are limited i am interested in taking the X-ray Technician course but every where i found seems to be a full time day option starting mon-fri 7am-3 pm and i wouldnt be able to do that with a full time job the same seems to be with the ultrasound programs i see. so my only other option seems to be these local schools ive found they are http://alliedinstitute.com/echocardiography.htm http://www.mcimedicalcareers.com/
http://www.citi-college.com/
These are located in chicago and Indiana. I live in Steger Illinois a Suburb of Chicago Illinois And im close to Schereville Indiana also.
So basically Im asking If any one has Heard of these Schools As i am interested in going to one of these for the Echocardiography Course I would also like to know if any one knew if there were any part time X-ray Tech or Ultrasound Training Programs In my Area That will allow a person with no college experience to enter there program. And if any one on this site currently goes to these schools please give me your thoughts as there quite expensive considering there diploma programs and not any type of college degree. Each program is around $8,000 Dollars So if any one has any info on these Schools or any new schools in my area for X ray or ultrasound your help will be greatly Appreciated thanx and god bless.

hjhogle · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 3:44 pm Post subject:

OK, first things first.

You will not find a part-time program anywhere which will make it possible for you to become a nationally certified imaging specialist. Our profession is intense, the training is concentrated and requires focus and (above all) time. Programs are full-time.

When researching potential radiography programs, it's important to look at ACCREDITED programs - these are the only ones which will make you eligible to take the national certification exam. To find an accredited program, look here http://www.arrt.org/index.html?content=http://www.arrt.org/nd/listOfSchools.ndm/listSchools&iframe=yes on the ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) website. Do a search, results will list programs in alphabetical order by state. I don't know Chicago at all, but none of the programs you mentioned were on the list - that means that they are not accredited radiography programs. If you attend these programs, you will not be able able to take the national certification exam - so this would be a waste of your $$. When you review the list, you'll be better able to tell which programs are near you.

As far as echocardiography goes, that isn't part of radiography, so I can't tell you. But the National Board of Echocardiography has a website here http://www.echoboards.org/index.html that may be helpful to you.

Good luck.
hjh