Radiologist Education in Florida

Florida is known for its orange juice and Disney World, not to mention hurricanes and gorgeous sandy beaches. One of the most touristy spots in the US, Florida has also become home of many retirees seeking a warmer climate and because of the growing elderly population health care and medical institutions are also growing in number. In order to keep up with the needs of the elderly care, medical and radiology schools in Florida are increasing.
Two of the most well-recognized radiology schools in Florida include Keiser University and Fortis College. Both schools offer online college courses and degree programs including Associates and Bachelors. The flexibility of the online courses allows working students to take advantage of the course work available at all hours of the day or night. Students are allowed to work at their own pace and graduate when they want to. Some students opt for a quick degree completion while others require more time due to the balancing of the demands at work, school, and at home.

Keiser University

Keiser University also offers graduate studies and Masters degree programs in medical assisting, which has become a popular choice for those completing a degree in radiology from either Keiser or one of the other radiology schools in Florida.

Associate, Certificate
Radiologic Technology, AS, Nuclear Medicine Technology, AS, Radiation Therapy, Certificate, Radiation Therapy, AS
Fort Lauderdale, Port St. Lucie, Jacksonville, Melbourne, Orlando, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Daytona Beach, Lakeland, Kendall

MedVance Institute

Diploma
Radiologic Technology
Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Lake Worth

Fortis College

Located in Pensacola, Fortis College offers career training in the field of radiology and focuses on the placement of its graduates into area hospitals or medical facilities due in part because of the growing need of medical technicians in the warm Florida state.

Diploma
X-Ray Technician
Orange Park

Fortis Institute

Diploma
X-Ray Technician
Jacksonville

Everest University

Associate
Radiologic Technology
Tampa

Work Study Programs for Radiology Technician Students

Training to become a radiologist or radiographer is hard work, and involves several different disciplines of the medical and scientific fields.

When considering a career as a radiology technician, an important facet of the education process are work-study programs. These programs afford students the opportunity to apply the techniques learned in class in the real world. Many of these programs are supported by the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program and ensure the student and the hospital or practice are taken care of monetarily.

The FWS programs use a formula to determine the student's financial needs. These programs are generally not in the career field of radiology technicians but give students the option of working on campus or for a school-affiliated business.

This program states that a student's earnings must not be below the minimum wage. This allows the student to worry less about money, and more about class work and their studies. Information for the federal work-study programs can be found in any financial aid or administration department in the student's chosen school.

Local Work-Study Programs

Local and regional radiology technician based work-study programs are not as prevalent as the federal programs, but are much more useful. These programs are set up by the schools, and local businesses or hospitals. An agreement is made between the school and the employer and an application process is typically required.

As with any job, a student must interview and will usually need to have met a standard for academics, such as a particular GPA or writing an essay. The individual requirements of each program vary form school to school and from program to program within a learning institution.

Work Environment

Radiology technician work-study programs are similar to internships at their most basic level. A student works a set schedule within an operational radiology department or clinic. They deal with real people on an everyday basis. This affords the student patient care experience as well as team work skills and understanding the policies of a hospital system.

One major difference between internships and work-study programs is the length of time spent working. An internship, when taken for college credit, will on average last an entire term or over a summer. Work-study are completed during the course of schooling. A radiology student attending a four-year institution will have the option of choosing between work-study and internship programs, depending upon the educational environment.

Training

The main reason radiology technician work-study programs are supported by the federal government and businesses associated with the school, is that it prepares students on a wider basis than classroom work alone. Local hospitals and clinics understand that a student that receives training in an operating radiology department or clinic will have a better understanding of the mechanics of radiology technology positions. The programs also allow students to have an income, albeit a small income, to support themselves while attending school.

A training program taking place within a hospital, such as a certificate program, will not have as many work-study programs as longer degree programs due to time constraints, but are still available.

Work-study programs are an essential part of any educational experience. The programs allow students to experience their career in real time and with real patients. It affords them the opportunity to work with professionals and learn from their experience, something that cannot be found in a book. While the programs differ from institution to institution, they all serve the same purpose: to educate and bring students closer to becoming professional radiologists.

Information for these programs can be found at any school's financial aid or administration departments.

Other cities in Florida

Online Schools

The following is a list of schools that offer online Radiologist Education programs.