X ray technician schools in Rhode Island do exist, despite the fact that an online search will probably bring you mostly online programs rather than brick and mortar schools. Many people find online learning to be as good as or better than going to class, but for some of us it just makes more sense to be in a classroom with classmates and a professor. In many ways, the comfort you have with different learning styles is totally personal, but for some people they do not have the option of moving closer to a campus.
In a state as small as Rhode Island, however, people are pretty well close to everything no matter where they live. That is an advantage, it turns out, because tuition for some of those online programs is really high. Most people assume that an online program will be cheaper, but it turns out that the opposite is often true. You can find a great on the ground program to train you for a career as a radiologic technologist.
What is a radiologic technologist? If you want to be an x ray tech, you should get used to that title. Degrees in the field are degrees, or certificates, in radiography. And the field is rapidly growing. More and more people are in need of the services of medical centers and hospitals, and much of the demand comes from the growing elderly population. The baby boomer generation is the biggest generation yet, and the oldest members of that generation are just over 60.
It turns out that after about age 55, people are more likely to break bones, contract serious diseases and conditions, and generally need more health care. As a result, more frequent screenings are scheduled for people over the age of 50 to try to catch diseases like cancer early. More and more people need x rays. Which means more and more people need to become x ray techs to keep up with the demand and keep doctors offices and hospitals running smoothly and efficiently.
The economy has been a little rough, and it has sent a lot of people looking for jobs they do not want or are not really suited to do. The smart ones went back to school to qualify for better paying jobs that will have more job security for the future. X ray techs have that job security, and no economic downturn will reduce the number of people who get sick or need a doctor. If you want to turn things around for yourself, one great option is a switch to a career in radiologic technology.
Rhode Island has two on the ground programs for people who want to become radiologic technologists. There are a number of online programs that are also available. Just be sure that the program is accredited and that local employers will accept a degree from their program.
Certificate Program:
Rhode Island Hospital
3 Davol Square
Bldg A – 4th Fl.
Providence, RI 02903
www.lifespan.org/diagimag
Associate in Applied Science:
Community College of Rhode Island
1762 Louisquisset Pike
Lincoln, RI 02865-4585
www.crei.edu/alliedhealth