Tag Archives: How to Become a Radiologic Technologist El Dorado Hills CA 95762

Radiology X-Ray Technician Schools near El Dorado Hills CA 95762

How to Find an Xray Technician College near El Dorado Hills California

El Dorado Hills CA x-ray tech internship programCongratulations on your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near El Dorado Hills CA so you can train to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have decided to go into the gratifying field of healthcare, how do you set about picking the right college and program to ensure that you will obtain the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that the majority of states do mandate that radiology techs become licensed, based on where you subsequently practice you may require preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s essential that you research each of the colleges you are considering in order to evaluate each program. Many students start by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they compare tuition and often gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location must be considered, there are additional critical qualifiers as well. For example, you must find out whether or not the radiology tech schools are accredited, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you must ask the colleges you are evaluating are provided later in this post. But first, let’s talk about what a x-ray tech does and the degrees and education choices that are offered.

X-Ray Technician Job Summary

There are multiple professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technicians or technologists, radiographers or radiology techs. No matter what the name, each has the identical principal job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. Some elect to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialization, for instance mammography. They can work in El Dorado Hills CA clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech may work with include:

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

Radiographers have to care for their equipment and regularly analyze its functionality and safety. They are also expected to keep in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As El Dorado Hills CA medical practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

Radiology Technician Degree Options

x-ray machine in El Dorado Hills CAThe basic prerequisite for attending a radiology tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist pupils have the option to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among techs, normally requires 18 months to two years to finish based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at up to 4 years to complete and is more extensive in nature. Most students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that may be appropriate as well. Something to consider is that El Dorado Hills CA radiographer programs have a clinical training or lab component as part of their curriculum. It may often be fulfilled by participating in an internship or externship program which many schools sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you must comply with any licensing or certification requirements in California or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

Radiographer Certification and Licensing

When you have graduated from an X-Ray tech college, based on the state where you will be practicing you might have to become licensed. Most states do mandate licensing, and their prerequisites vary so contact your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensure will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many provide additional alternatives for testing also. Several states also require certification as part of the licensing process, otherwise it is optional. Having said that, numerous El Dorado Hills CA employers would rather hire radiology techs that are certified so it might increase 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 requires re-certification every two years, which can be met with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Tech Colleges

attending x-ray tech school online in El Dorado Hills 95762As a component of every degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is the same for online degree colleges. So although you can still obtain your online degree, a significant amount of the training will be satisfied either in a college lab or in an externship off campus. Practical training is usually conducted in regional family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. But the online segment of the training may be accessed in the comfort of your El Dorado Hills CA residence. Students who keep working while obtaining their degree often discover that the online approach to education is far more convenient with their busy schedules. Plus online colleges are frequently less expensive than on-campus options. Along with lower tuition, expenditures for study materials and commuting can be lessened as well. But just make sure that the online program 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 best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Radiologic Tech Colleges

As soon as you have chosen the type of degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of searching for and evaluating El Dorado Hills CA x-ray tech schools. You will also have to determine 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 important. The cost of tuition and secondary expenses will be an important variable also. But in addition to location and cost, what more should you factor in when reviewing colleges? Well, you need to find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship programs. To help you learn some of these essential details prior to making your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you need to ask the colleges you are considering.

Are the Radiology Tech Schools Accredited? Most radiology technician schools have obtained some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. However, 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive assessment of their teachers and course materials. If the school is online it can also receive 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 guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also help in getting financial aid and student loans, which are many times not accessible for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many El Dorado Hills CA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry level positions.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Inquire if the California xray tech programs you are assessing have partnerships with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific manner to get hands on training in a clinical environment, they are also a way to fulfill the practical training requirement for most programs. As a secondary benefit, they may help students and graduates develop professional relationships in the El Dorado Hills CA health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Help offered? You will probably want to hit the ground running after graduation, but finding that first job in a new profession can be challenging without support. Ask if the radiographer programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with El Dorado Hills CA healthcare employers. It also substantiates that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the School Located? For a lot of students, the school they choose will have to be within commuting distance of their El Dorado Hills CA home. Individuals who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose 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 frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the type of student that prefers to sit way in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a small class size. Smaller classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the El Dorado Hills CA 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 a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program as well.

Does the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to confirm that the x-ray tech  school you finally 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 night or weekend classes in El Dorado Hills CA, verify that they are available. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, find out if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Radiology Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask radiographer applicants is "What made you pick radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming an Xray technician, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you must organize some approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Radiology Technician Program near El Dorado Hills CA

Picking the best x-ray technician school is an important first step toward initiating a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The suitable radiographer must be in good physical condition. Radiology techs typically stand for the greater part of the day and move and sometimes lift the patient to get the proper image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements designed to protect both the patient and the medical team. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and furnish the best available patient care. As has been addressed in this report, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are considering before making your ultimate selection. This is similarly true whether you participate in an online program or drive to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each college so you can focus your options and make your decision. And with the right education and your motivation to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a x-ray tech in El Dorado Hills CA.

Some Background on El Dorado Hills California

El Dorado Hills, California

El Dorado Hills (EDH) is an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP) in El Dorado County, California, 22 miles (35 km) east of the state capital of Sacramento. The population was 42,108 at the 2010 census, up from 18,016 at the 2000 census.[3] This growth is a combination of population increase within the 2000 CDP boundaries and expansion of the boundaries. The area of EDH was expanded from 17.9 square miles (46 km2) in 2000 to 48.606 square miles (125.89 km2) in 2010.[3]

El Dorado Hills residents and businesses are most closely affiliated with El Dorado County, a generally rural area. El Dorado County is part of the Sacramento Metropolitan Area because it is socially and economically integrated with the much larger Sacramento County and especially the city of Folsom.[4][5] El Dorado Hills is recognized nationally for its high median household income, ranking 77th in CNN Money Magazine's best places to live in 2007,[6] with the median household income for 2007 over $115,000.[7]

El Dorado Hills lies about 18.6 miles from the 1848 gold find site in Coloma, the impetus for the California Gold Rush. Gold was washed down the South Fork of the American River, into areas now in El Dorado Hills and Folsom, but farming and ranching supplanted the Gold Rush. Portions of two Pony Express routes in this area from 1860-1861 remain as modern El Dorado Hills roads.[citation needed] El Dorado Hills includes the longest surviving section of the Lincoln Highway, the first U.S. transcontinental highway.[citation needed] This section, part of the Pioneer Branch, passes through historic Clarksville and is the predecessor of the modern US 50 route.

The modern history of El Dorado Hills dates back to the early 1960s when original developer Alan Lindsey began its development as a master planned community. The original master plan, prepared by architect Victor Gruen, covered the area generally north of U.S. Highway 50, and part of the area south of US 50 now considered to be part of the community. El Dorado Hills was envisioned as a large-scale master-planned community that would be completely planned from its inception as a group of residential "villages". Other land uses in the master plan included a business park, 18-hole golf course, community parks, schools, a community shopping center, and small commercial centers in each village. The master plan[citation needed] emphasized open space between villages and opportunity for outdoor recreation.

Between the late '60s and mid-1990s growth occurred at a moderate pace as new families relocated from Sacramento, Southern California and the Bay Area. This growth consisted primarily of residential housing, as retail developments were limited to two shopping centers on the corners Green Valley & Francisco and El Dorado Hills Blvd. & Hwy. 50. Each neighborhood created during this time period was given a name and referred to as a "village" by local inhabitants. The original villages of El Dorado Hills include Stonegate, Park, Saint Andrews, Crown, Governors. In the 1980s and 1990s the major part of Lake Hills Estates north of Green Valley Road, was reorganized into Lake Forest Village,[8] containing the neighborhoods of Waterford, The Summit,[9] Green Valley Hills, Winterhaven, Marina Woods and Windsor Point. Additional villages that have developed subsequently include Fairchild, Sterlingshire, Highland Hills, Highland View, Bridlewood, Hills of El Dorado, Woodridge, Laural Oaks and the master-planned community of Serrano.

 

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