Accredited X Ray Technician Schools West Point NY 10996 Archives

How to Choose a Radiology Tech School near West Point New York

West Point NY x-ray tech internship program Congratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near West Point NY so you can train to be a radiology technician. And now that you have chosen to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you set about choosing the right school and program so that you will get the proper training to become a skilled professional? And since most states do require that x-ray technicians become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination. So it’s imperative that you assess each of the schools you are considering so that you can compare each program. Many students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and typically gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while expense and location must be considered, there are other important qualifiers as well. For example, you should find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you should ask the schools you are considering are provided later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a radiologic tech does and the credentials and education choices that are offered.

Radiology Technician Occupation Summary

There are several professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be referred to as radiologic technicians or technologists, radiology technicians or radiographers. Irrespective of the name, each has the identical primary job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also administer radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Many opt to work as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, for example mammography. They can practice in West Point NY clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technician might utilize 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 plus frequently analyze its performance and safety. They are also expected to retain in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As West Point NY medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Offered

x-ray machine in West Point NY The basic prerequisite for attending an x-ray tech college is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, normally takes 18 months to 2 years to finish based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as 4 years to finish and is more comprehensive in scope. The majority of students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are other related majors that may be appropriate as well. One thing to consider is that West Point NY radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It can frequently be satisfied by participating in an internship or externship program which a large number of schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their area. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to comply with any licensing or certification mandates in New York or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiologic Technologist Certification and Licensing

After you have graduated from an Radiologist school, depending on the state where you will be employed you might need to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their criteria vary so get in touch with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many offer additional options for testing as well. Several states also call for certification as a component of the licensing process, if not it is optional. Having said that, many West Point NY employers would rather hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it might increase your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program involves 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 may be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technician Programs

attending x-ray tech school online in West Point 10996 As a component of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree programs. So although you can still obtain your online degree, a considerable portion of the training will be fulfilled either in a school lab or in an externship off campus. Practical training is often carried out in regional hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online portion of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your West Point NY home. Students who continue working while obtaining their degree usually find that the online approach to education is much more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online programs are frequently less expensive than conventional alternatives. Along with reduced tuition, costs for study materials and commuting can be decreased as well. But just confirm that the online school you choose is accredited (more on the benefits 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 best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Radiologic Tech Programs

As soon as you have decided on the type of degree that you want to earn, you can initiate the process of finding and assessing West Point NY x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to decide if you prefer to attend online classes or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the school will be important. The price of tuition and supplementary expenditures will be an important variable also. But in addition to location and cost, what else should you factor in when comparing schools? Well, you need to find out if the schools 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 need to ask the colleges you are reviewing.

Are the X-Ray Technician Programs Accredited? Most xray technician schools have obtained some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still important to make sure 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). Schools earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through a rigorous review of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it might also earn 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. In addition to ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited programs. Accreditation may also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And numerous West Point NY employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited program for entry-level openings.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask if the New York xray tech colleges you are interested in have relationships with local clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific way to obtain hands on experience in a clinical setting, they are additionally a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As a secondary benefit, they can assist graduates and students develop professional relationships in the West Point NY healthcare community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be difficult without support. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and good relationships with West Point NY healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the college they select will have to be within driving distance of their West Point NY home. Those who have decided to attend online classes obviously will not have to trouble themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to bear in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a school that is out of state or perhaps out of your local area, you may be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges often charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.

What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit way in the rear of the classroom or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the West Point NY schools you are researching what the typical student to teacher ratio is for their classrooms. 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 converse with some of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the radiology tech program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the radiographer program you ultimately pick can offer the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in West Point NY, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, check if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to carry. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Want to Be a Radiology Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask radiographer applicants is "What compelled you to decide on radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to radiography, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must organize some strategies about how you want to answer them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal X-Ray Tech School near West Point NY

Picking the best radiology tech degree program is a crucial first step toward launching a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiologic technologist must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs often stand for the majority of the working day and move and in some cases lift the patient to get the correct image. Candidates must also demonstrate a capability to pay close attention to detail and to adhere to the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a necessity in order to have a good work environment and provide the best available patient care. As has been discussed in this article, there are several questions that you should ask each school you are looking at prior to making your final selection. This is just as true whether you enroll in an online school or travel to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can assess and compare each school so you can focus your options and make your decision. And with the proper education and your commitment to succeed, you can realize your goal to work as a radiology tech in West Point NY.

Some Background on West Point New York

West Point, New York

West Point is the oldest continuously occupied military post in the United States. Located on the Hudson River in New York, West Point was identified by General George Washington as the most important strategic position in America during the American Revolution. Until January 1778, West Point was not occupied by the military. On January 27, 1778, Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons and his brigade crossed the ice on the Hudson River and climbed to the plain on West Point and from that day to the present, West Point has been occupied by the United States Army. It comprises approximately 16,000 acres (6,500 ha) including the campus of the United States Military Academy, which is commonly called "West Point".

It is a Census Designated Place (CDP) located in the Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York,[2][3] located on the western bank of the Hudson River. The population was 6,763 at the 2010 census. It is part of the New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ–PA Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the larger New York–Newark, NY–NJ–CT–PA Combined Statistical Area.

West Point (then Fort Clinton), was a fortified site during the Revolutionary War. Originally picked because of the abnormal S-curve in the Hudson River at this point, the defenses of West Point were designed by Polish military engineer Tadeusz Kościuszko, who served as a brigadier general in the Continental Army.

It was manned by a small garrison of Continental Army soldiers from early in 1776 through the end of the war. A great iron chain was laid across the Hudson at this point in 1778 in order to prevent British Navy vessels from sailing further up the Hudson River, but it was never tested by the British.

The site comprised multiple redoubts, as well as Fort Putnam, situated on a high hill overlooking the river. Named after its builder, Revolutionary War general and engineer Rufus Putnam, the fort is still preserved in its original design.[4][5]