Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near White Plains NY 10601

How to Pick a Radiology Tech College near White Plains New York

White Plains NY x-ray tech internship program Best wishes regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near White Plains NY so you can become a radiologic technician. But now that you have decided to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you go about picking the ideal college and program so that you will get the proper training to become a qualified practitioner? And since most states do mandate that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you ultimately practice you may require training to pass a licensing test. So it’s essential that you assess each of the colleges you are considering so that you can evaluate each program. Most potential students start by looking for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and frequently settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location must be considered, there are other important qualifiers also. For example, you must ask whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internships. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are examining are provided later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiologic tech does and the degrees and training choices that are available.

X-Ray Tech Job Description

There are several professional designations for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, each has the same fundamental job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally visualize patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many elect to practice as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for instance mammography. They may work in White Plains NY hospitals, clinics, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech might work with include:

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

Radiographers must maintain their equipment and regularly analyze its performance and safety. They are additionally required to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As White Plains NY medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in White Plains NY The standard requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech college is to have attained a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist pupils have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most typical among technicians, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to complete depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 4 years to finish and is more expansive in nature. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are appropriate as well. Something to bear in mind is that White Plains NY radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as a component of their curriculum. It can frequently be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which many colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their region. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification mandates in New York or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Licensing and Certification

When you have graduated from an x-ray technician college, based on the state where you will be working you may have to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their requirements vary so get in touch with your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but many approve additional alternatives for testing as well. Some states also call for certification as a component of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. Having said that, many White Plains NY employers will only hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may improve your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also calls for re-certification every other year, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Technologist Colleges

attending x-ray tech school online in White Plains 10601 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree schools. So although you can still earn your degree online, a substantial portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is usually performed in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online segment of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your White Plains NY home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree typically discover that the online approach to education is far more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online schools are generally cheaper than traditional options. In addition to reduced tuition, expenses for commuting and study materials can be reduced also. But just make certain that the online school you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are disciplined enough to learn with this less structured type of training, then an online degree may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Radiology Tech Programs

As soon as you have selected the type of degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of finding and assessing White Plains NY x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or drive to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be relevant. The cost of tuition and secondary expenditures will be a material factor as well. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you consider when reviewing schools? Well, you should find out if the schools are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you uncover some of these important details before you make your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you should ask the programs you are assessing.

Are the Radiology Technician Programs Accredited? Most xray technician colleges have received some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still crucial to confirm that the school and program 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 undergone an extensive evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the school is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous White Plains NY employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level jobs.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out if the New York xray tech schools you are evaluating have associations with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships a great means to obtain practical training in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they may help students and graduates establish professional connections in the White Plains NY medical community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely wish to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with White Plains NY healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For a number of students, the school they pick will have to be within commuting distance of their White Plains NY residence. Students who have decided to attend classes online naturally will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. Something to keep in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a college that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you might have to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the White Plains NY schools you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your final decision. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with some of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the x-ray technician program as well.

Does the College Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the radiographer program you ultimately select can offer the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while you attend school. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in White Plains NY, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be an Xray Technician?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask radiographer candidates is "What made you select radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming a radiology technician, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to radiography, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to ready a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Best X-Ray Tech School near White Plains NY

Enrolling in the ideal radiology technician college is a crucial first step toward starting a satisfying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the greater part of the workday and position and in some cases lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety guidelines designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. Radiology techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing social skills is a necessity in order to have a pleasant work environment and furnish the best available patient care. As we have addressed in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are assessing prior to making your ultimate selection. This is just as true whether you participate in an online program or drive to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each college so you can narrow down your options and make your decision. And with the proper education and your motivation to succeed, you can realize your goal to practice as a radiographer in White Plains NY.

Some Background on White Plains New York

White Plains, New York

White Plains is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is the county seat and commercial hub of Westchester, an affluent suburban county just north of New York City that is home to almost one million people. White Plains is located in south-central Westchester, with its downtown (Mamaroneck Avenue) 25 miles (40 km) north of Midtown Manhattan.

As of 2013, the city's total population was estimated to be 57,866, up from 56,853 at the 2010 census.[5] According to the city government, the daytime weekday population is estimated at 250,000.[6] The city was ranked third in the top 10 places to live in New York for 2014, according to national online real estate brokerage Movoto.[7]

At the time of the Dutch settlement of Manhattan in the early 17th century, the region had been used as farmland by the Weckquaeskeck tribe, members of the Mohican nation and was called "Quarropas".[8] To early traders it was known as "the White Plains", either from the groves of white balsam which are said to have covered it,[9] or from the heavy mist that local tradition suggests hovered over the swamplands near the Bronx River.[10] The first non-native settlement came in November 1683, when a party of Connecticut Puritans moved westward from an earlier settlement in Rye and bought about 4,400 acres (18 km2), presumably from the Weckquaeskeck.[8] However, John Richbell of Mamaroneck claimed to have earlier title to much of the territory through his purchase of a far larger plot extending 20 miles (32 km) inland, perhaps from a different tribe.[10] The matter wasn't settled until 1721, when a Royal Patent for White Plains was granted by King George II.[10]

In 1758, White Plains became the seat of Westchester County when the colonial government for the county left West Chester, which was located in what is now the northern part of the borough of the Bronx, in New York City. The unincorporated village remained part of the Town of Rye until 1788, when the town of White Plains was created.[10]

On July 9, 1776, a copy of the Declaration of Independence was delivered to the New York Provincial Congress, which was meeting in the county courthouse. The delegates quickly adopted a resolution approving the Declaration, thus declaring both the colony's independence and the formation of the State of New York. The Declaration itself was first publicly read from the steps of the courthouse on July 11.[10]