Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near Plains TX 79355 - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Find a Radiology Tech College near Plains Texas

Plains TX x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Plains TX in order to train to be a radiology technician. And now that you have decided to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you tackle selecting the right school and program to ensure that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a qualified practitioner? And because most states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you might require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the colleges you are considering so that you can evaluate each program. Many prospective students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and often settle on the most affordable cost. But while expense and location should be taken into account, there are other critical qualifications as well. For instance, you should ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internships. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are evaluating are provided later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a x-ray technician does and the degrees and education options that are offered.

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X-Ray Technician Career Summary

There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiographers or radiology techs. Irrespective of the name, each has the same principal job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some elect to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, such as mammography. They may work in Plains TX hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician may utilize include:

Traditional and specialized X-Rays
Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Sonography or ultrasound
Fluoroscopy

Radiographers must care for their equipment and routinely analyze its performance and safety. They are also expected to retain detailed records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Plains TX health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

Radiology Technician Degrees Available

x-ray machine in Plains TX The standard prerequisite for enrolling in a radiology tech school is to have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among technicians, generally takes 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finish and is more comprehensive in nature. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be acceptable as well. One thing to keep in mind is that Plains TX radiographer programs have a practical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may frequently be satisfied by taking part in an externship program which many colleges offer through local hospitals and clinics in their area. Once you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any licensing or certification mandates in Texas or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an Radiologist school, depending on the state where you will be practicing you might have to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their criteria vary so contact your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but a number approve other alternatives for testing as well. Several states also require certification as a component of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. However, many Plains TX employers favor hiring radiology techs that have earned certification so it may improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every other year, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Tech Programs

attending x-ray tech school online in Plains 79355 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have practical or lab training included in their course of study. This is the same for online degree colleges. So although you can still obtain your degree online, a large portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is usually conducted in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training can be attended in the privacy of your Plains TX home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree usually discover that the online style of learning is much more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are often less costly than conventional options. Along with lower tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be lessened also. But just confirm that the online school you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then online classes may be the best option for you.

Topics to Ask Radiology Tech Programs

As soon as you have selected the kind of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of finding and assessing Plains TX x-ray tech colleges. You will also have to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or drive to a nearby campus. If you opt for the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be relevant. The price of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be an important variable as well. But along with cost and location, what else should you consider when reviewing colleges? Well, you should find out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you find out some of these essential details prior to making your selection, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are assessing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Colleges Accredited? Most radiology technician schools have earned some form of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still important to confirm that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Programs earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a detailed assessment of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a quality education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Plains TX health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited program for entry level positions.

Are Internships Offered? Ask if the Texas xray technician schools you are interested in have partnerships with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a great means to receive hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a means to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can help students and graduates establish professional connections in the Plains TX medical community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Ask if the radiographer programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with Plains TX healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will have to be within commuting distance of their Plains TX home. Those who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. Something to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a program that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges commonly charge a higher tuition for those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the back of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will probably prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes enable more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Plains TX schools you are considering what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you an opportunity to talk with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program as well.

Can the College Accommodate your Schedule? And last you need to confirm that the x-ray tech college you finally select can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially crucial if you choose to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Plains TX, confirm that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, check if that is an alternative and how many credit hours or courses you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Want to Be an X-Ray Tech?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's important to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask radiographer candidates is "What compelled you to pick radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare several strategies about how you would like to answer them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an excellent X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Pick the Best X-Ray Technician Program near Plains TX

Choosing the right x-ray tech degree program is a critical first step toward beginning a rewarding new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist should be in good physical shape. Radiology techs frequently stand for the majority of the day and move and at times lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to adhere to the safety guidelines developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best available patient care. As we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you should ask each program you are assessing before making your final decision. This is just as true whether you decide on an online program or drive to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can analyze and compare each school so you can focus your choices and make your decision. And with the right training and your dedication to succeed, you can reach your goal to work as a radiologic technologist in Plains TX.

Some Background on Plains Texas

Geography of Texas

The geography of Texas is diverse and large. Occupying about 7% of the total water and land area of the U.S.,[1] it is the second largest state after Alaska, and is the southernmost part of the Great Plains, which end in the south against the folded Sierra Madre Oriental of Mexico. Texas is in the south-central part of the United States of America, and is considered to form part of the U.S. South and also part of the U.S. Southwest.[2]

By residents, the state is generally divided into North Texas, East Texas, Central Texas, South Texas, West Texas (and sometimes the Panhandle), but according to the Texas Almanac, Texas has four major physical regions: Gulf Coastal Plains, Interior Lowlands, Great Plains, and Basin and Range Province. This has been cited as the difference between human geography and physical geography, although the fact that Texas was granted the prerogative to divide into as many as five U.S. states may be a historical motive for Texans defining their state as containing exactly five regions.[3]

Some regions in Texas are more associated with the Southeast than the Southwest (primarily East Texas, Central Texas, and North Texas), while other regions share more similarities with the Southwest (primarily far West Texas and South Texas). The upper Panhandle is considered by many to have more in common with parts of the plains Midwest than either the South or Southwest. The size of Texas prohibits easy categorization of the entire state wholly in any recognized region of the United States, and even cultural diversity among regions of the state make it difficult to treat Texas as a region in its own right.

Continental, Mountain, and Modified Marine are the three major climatic types of Texas, with no distinguishable boundaries. Modified Marine, or subtropical, dominates the majority of the state.[4] Texas has an annual precipitation range from 60.57 inches (1,538 mm) in Jasper County, East Texas, to 9.43 inches (240 mm) in El Paso. The record high of 120 °F (49 °C) was reached at Seymour on August 12, 1936, and Monahans on June 28, 1994. The low also ties at −23 °F (−31 °C) in Tulia on February 12, 1899, and Seminole on February 8, 1933.[5]

Texas covers a total area of 268,581 square miles (695,622 km2). The longest straight-line distance is from the northwest corner of the panhandle to the Rio Grande river just below Brownsville, 801 miles (1,289 km).[1] The width west-to-east, from El Paso to Orange, Texas, is 762 miles (1,226 km). The largest continental state is so expansive that El Paso, in the western corner of the state, is closer to San Diego, California, than to the Houston and Beaumont area, near the Louisiana state line; while Orange, on the border to Louisiana, is closer to Jacksonville, Florida than it is to El Paso. Texarkana, in the northeastern corner of the state, is about the same distance from Chicago, Illinois, as it is to El Paso, and Dalhart, in the northwestern corner of the state, is closer to the state capitals of Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Wyoming than it is to Austin, its own state capital.[6]