Accredited X Ray Tech Schools Albany NY 12201 Archives - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Pick an Xray Tech College near Albany New York

Albany NY x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Albany NY in order to train to be a radiologic technician. And now that you have chosen to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you undertake selecting the right school and program so that you will obtain the proper training to become a skilled professional? And since most states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you may require preparation to pass a licensing test. So it’s important that you investigate each of the schools you are considering so that you can compare each program. Many prospective students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within commuting distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and usually gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while location and cost must be considered, there are other important qualifications as well. For example, you should find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they sponsor internships. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are examining are presented later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a radiologic technician does and the degrees and training choices that are offered.

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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, they all have the identical fundamental job function, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many elect to perform as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, such as mammography. They may practice in Albany NY hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech might 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 also regularly evaluate its performance and safety. They are additionally required to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As Albany NY medical practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Tech Degrees Available

x-ray machine in Albany NY The primary prerequisite for attending 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, normally takes 18 months to two years to finish depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to finish and is more extensive in scope. The majority of students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that are acceptable as well. Something to consider is that Albany NY radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It can typically be satisfied by taking part in an externship program which a large number of 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 certification or licensing requirements in New York or the state you will be working as applicable.

X-ray Technician Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an Radiologist program, depending on the state where you will be working you may have to be licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their criteria differ so get in touch with your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but many accept additional alternatives for testing as well. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Albany NY employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could enhance your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive exam. ARRT also calls for re-certification every 2 years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online Radiology Technologist Schools

attending x-ray tech school online in Albany 12201 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree schools. So even though you can still obtain your degree online, a substantial amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is typically carried out in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. However the online portion of the training can be attended in the comfort of your Albany NY residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree usually find that the online approach to learning is much more convenient with their hectic schedules. Plus online programs are generally cheaper than conventional alternatives. In addition to reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting may be decreased as well. But just be sure that the online program you enroll in is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then online classes may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask X Ray Tech Programs

When you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to obtain, you can begin the process of locating and assessing Albany NY x-ray technician colleges. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then of course the location of the college will be critical. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenditures will be a determining variable as well. But in addition to cost and location, what more should you factor in when comparing schools? Well, you should check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you uncover some of these crucial details before you make your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you must ask the schools you are assessing.

Are the Radiology Tech Colleges Accredited? The majority of xray tech schools have acquired some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Nevertheless, it’s still imperative to verify that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting organizations in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and course 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 acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in acquiring financial assistance and student loans, which are often not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation might also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Albany NY health facilities will only hire a graduate of an accredited school for entry level openings.

Are Internships Offered? Find out if the New York xray technician schools you are reviewing have relationships with area hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to obtain practical training in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can assist students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Albany NY health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that initial 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 an excellent sign that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with Albany NY healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their graduates are well regarded and sought after.

Where is the College Located? For many students, the school they pick will have to be within driving distance of their Albany NY home. Those who have opted to attend online classes naturally will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. Something to consider is that if you decide 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 generally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges often charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Big are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of person that prefers to sit way in the back of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Albany NY schools you are looking at what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you an opportunity to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the radiology technician program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the radiographer program you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while you attend classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Albany NY, make sure that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, ask what the protocol is for making up any classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Radiology Technician?

When preparing to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask radiographer candidates is "What made you decide on radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare a number of strategies about how you want to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Pick the Right Radiology Technician School near Albany NY

Picking the appropriate x-ray technician school is an important first step toward beginning a satisfying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. X-Ray techs often stand for the majority of the workday and move and at times lift the patient to get the correct image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety guidelines developed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Having social skills is a must in order to have a pleasant work environment and provide the best available patient care. As we have covered in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each program you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision. This is just as true whether you decide on an online program or travel to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each program so you can focus your options before making your final choice. And with the proper education and your dedication to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to work as a x-ray tech in Albany NY.

Some Background on Albany New York

Albany, New York

Albany (/ˈɔːlbəni/ ( listen) AWL-bə-nee) is the capital of the U.S. state of New York and the seat of Albany County. Roughly 150 miles (240 km) north of New York City, Albany developed on the west bank of the Hudson River, about 10 miles (16 km) south of its confluence with the Mohawk River. The population of the City of Albany was 97,856 according to the 2010 census. Albany constitutes the economic and cultural core of the Capital District of New York State, which comprises the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area, including the nearby cities and suburbs of Troy, Schenectady, and Saratoga Springs. With a 2013 Census-estimated population of 1.1 million [6] the Capital District is the third-most populous metropolitan region in the state and 38th in the United States.[7][8]

Albany was the first European settlement in New York State. It was settled by Dutch colonists who in 1614, built Fort Nassau for fur trading and Fort Orange in 1624. They formed successful relations with both the Mahican and the Mohawk peoples, two major Native American nations in the region. The fur trade attracted settlers who founded a village called Beverwijck near Fort Orange. In 1664 the English took over the Dutch settlements, renaming the city as Albany, in honor of the then Duke of Albany, the future James II of England and James VII of Scotland. The city was officially chartered in 1686 under English rule. It became the capital of New York State in 1797, following the United States gaining independence in the American Revolutionary War. Albany is one of the oldest surviving settlements of the original British thirteen colonies, and the longest continuously chartered city in the United States. Its charter is possibly the longest-running instrument of municipal government in the Western Hemisphere.[9]

During the late 18th century and throughout most of the 19th, Albany was a center of trade and transportation. The city lies toward the north end of the navigable Hudson River, was the original eastern terminus of the Erie Canal connecting to the Great Lakes, and was home to some of the earliest railroad systems in the world. Albany's main exports at the time were beer, lumber, published works, and ironworks. Beginning in 1810, Albany was one of the ten most populous cities in the United States, a distinction it held until the 1860 census. Albany is one of the first cities in the world to have installed public water mains, sewer lines, natural gas lines and electricity, infrastructure and utilities that attracted and supported substantial new industry to the city and surrounding area during the 19th century.[10] In the 20th century, the city opened one of the first commercial airports in the world, the precursor of today's Albany International Airport. During the 1920s a powerful political machine controlled by the Democratic Party arose in the state capital, connected to politics in New York City as well. It marshalled the power of immigrants and their descendants in both cities.

The city's skyline changed in the 1960s and 1970s with the construction of office towers around the Empire State Plaza and at the uptown campus of SUNY Albany,[b] mainly under the direction of Governor Nelson Rockefeller. While Albany experienced a decline in its population due to urban sprawl and suburbanization, many of its historic neighborhoods were saved from destruction through the policies of Mayor Erastus Corning 2nd, the longest-serving mayor of any city in the United States. In the early 21st century, Albany has experienced growth in the high-technology industry, with great strides in the nanotechnology sector.[11][12]

Albany has been a center of higher education for over a century, with much of the remainder of its economy dependent on state government and health care services. The city has rebounded from the urban decline of the 1970s and 1980s, with noticeable development taking place in the city's downtown and midtown neighborhoods. Albany is known for its rich history, commerce, culture, architecture, and institutions of higher education. Albany won the All-America City Award in both 1991 and 2009.[13]Fortune 500 companies with offices in Albany include American Express, J.P. Morgan and Chase,[14]Merrill Lynch,[15][16]General Electric, Verizon, Goldman Sachs,[17]International Paper,[18] and Key Bank.[19] In the 21st century, the Capital District has emerged as a major anchor of Tech Valley, the moniker describing the technologically-focused region of eastern New York State.