How to Become a Radiologic Technologist Galena Park TX 77547 Archives

How to Select a Radiologic Tech Degree Program near Galena Park Texas

Galena Park TX x-ray tech internship program Best wishes regarding your decision to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Galena Park TX in order to train to be a radiologic technologist. And now that you have made a decision to enter the satisfying field of healthcare, how do you undertake selecting the ideal college and program to ensure that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled professional? And since the majority of states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, based on where you ultimately practice you may need preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s imperative that you investigate each of the schools you are considering so that you can compare each program. Many students begin by searching for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and often gravitate toward the most affordable cost. But while cost and location should be taken into account, there are other critical qualifications as well. For instance, you need to ask whether or not the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internship programs. These questions and others you should ask the schools you are reviewing are presented later in this article. But first, let’s explore what a x-ray tech does and the credentials and education choices that are offered.

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Radiology Technician Career Summary

There are a number of professional designations for x-ray techs (technologists or technicians). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. No matter what the name, each has the identical primary job description, which is to use imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. A number of radiologic technologists might also administer radiation therapy for treating cancer. Some opt to practice as generalists, while there are those that have chosen a specialty, such as mammography. They may practice in Galena Park TX clinics, hospitals, family practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray technologist 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 also frequently assess its functionality and safety. They are also required to keep in-depth records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Galena Park TX health practitioners, they are held to a high professional standard and code of conduct.

X-Ray Tech Degrees

x-ray machine in Galena Park TX The primary requirement for attending a radiology tech program is to have earned a high school diploma or GED. Radiologic technologist students have the choice to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, generally requires 18 months to 2 years to finish depending on the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to 4 years to finish and is more extensive in scope. Most students select a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be appropriate as well. Something to keep in mind is that Galena Park TX radiographer colleges have a clinical training or lab component as part of their course of study. It may typically be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which many schools offer through local clinics and hospitals in their region. Once you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you will need to abide by any certification or licensing mandates in Texas or the state you will be practicing in as applicable.

X-Ray Tech Certification and Licensing

Once you have graduated from an Radiologist college, based on the state where you will be working you may need to become licensed. The majority of states do require licensing, and their requirements differ so contact your state. Presently, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the purpose of licensing, but several offer other alternatives for testing as well. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing process, if not it is optional. However, numerous Galena Park TX employers will only hire radiology techs that are certified so it may improve your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program calls for graduation from an accepted program in addition to a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also demands re-certification every other year, which may be met with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an exam.

Online X-Ray Technician Degrees

attending x-ray tech school online in Galena Park 77547 As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech colleges will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree schools. So while you can still obtain your online degree, a large portion of the training will be completed either in a school lab or in an externship off-campus. Practical training is usually conducted in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the colleges. However the online segment of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your Galena Park TX home. Students who keep working while earning their degree usually discover that the online style of education is far more convenient with their active schedules. Plus online colleges are generally more affordable than conventional options. In addition to lower tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be decreased as well. But just make sure that the online school you enroll in is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized style of training, then online classes may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Radiographer Colleges

When you have selected the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can initiate the process of looking for and assessing Galena Park TX x-ray technician colleges. You will also have to decide if you want to attend online classes or drive 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 expenses will be a material factor also. But in addition to cost and location, what else should you factor in when reviewing colleges? Well, you should find out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these crucial details before you make your decision, we have put together a list of questions that you must ask the programs you are looking at.

Are the Radiology Technician Schools Accredited? The majority of xray tech colleges have acquired some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still crucial to make sure that the school and program 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 obtaining accreditation from the JRCERT have undergone an extensive examination of their teachers and course materials. If the program is online it may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. All accrediting organizations should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. In addition to guaranteeing a premium education, accreditation will also assist in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for licensing and certification as required. And many Galena Park TX employers will only hire a graduate of an accredited college for entry-level jobs.

Are Internships Offered? Ask if the Texas radiology technician programs you are evaluating have partnerships with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships a terrific way to get hands on training in a clinical setting, they are also a way to fulfill the clinical training requirement for most programs. As an ancillary benefit, they may assist graduates and students establish professional relationships in the Galena Park TX healthcare community and assist with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance provided? You will undoubtedly want to hit the ground running after graduation, but getting that initial job in a new field can be challenging without help. Find out if the x-ray tech programs you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have large networks and great relationships with Galena Park TX healthcare employers. It also confirms that their graduates are highly regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For a lot of students, the college they decide on will need to be within driving distance of their Galena Park TX home. Students who have decided 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 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 might be required to pay a higher tuition. State colleges commonly charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges typically charge a higher tuition for those students that don’t reside within their districts.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit far in the rear of class or get lost in the crowd, you will undoubtedly want a smaller class size. Small classes permit more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the Galena Park TX colleges you are researching what the average teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to monitor one or more classes before making your final determination. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the instructors and students to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray tech program as well.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the radiographer program you ultimately pick can furnish the class schedule you need. This is particularly crucial if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in Galena Park TX, make certain 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, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss due to work, illness or family obligations.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Radiologic Technologist?

When getting ready to interview for an X-Ray Tech position, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask radiographer prospects is "What made you select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming an X-Ray tech, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to radiography, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare a number of approaches about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Best X-Ray Technician College near Galena Park TX

Choosing the appropriate x-ray tech college is an important first step toward beginning a rewarding new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer should be in good physical condition. Radiology techs regularly stand for the majority of the working day and move and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the proper image. Candidates must also show 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 technicians as well as the doctors and radiologists. Possessing interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a good work environment and provide the best available care to patients. As has been addressed in this post, there are several questions that you should ask each program you are looking at before making your ultimate selection. This is equally true whether you enroll in an online program or travel to classes on campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can examine and compare each college so you can focus your choices and make your final choice. And with the proper education and your motivation to be successful, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a radiology tech in Galena Park TX.

Some Background on Galena Park Texas

Galena Park, Texas

Galena Park is a city in Harris County, Texas, United States, within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The population was 10,887 at the 2010 census.[1]

Issac Batterson and his family settled in the area in 1833; it was a part of the Ezekiel Thomas Survey.[4] The area of Galena Park began as the settlement of Clinton in 1835.[5] The center of what would become Galena Park was a 1,000-acre (400 ha) tract that Batterson purchased from the estate of Ezekiel Thomas.[4] The settlement originally served as a farming and ranching community but in the 1880s transformed into a railroad center along the new Port of Houston. With the coming of the petrochemical industry in the early 1900s, Clinton again transformed into a refinery center.[5]

Clinton attempted to establish a post office in 1935, but the request was denied as another Clinton, Texas had established the name. The settlement's name was changed to Galena Park after the Galena Signal Oil Company of Texas, which built the first refinery there. Galena Park's original name survives today as the name of a major street in the city, Clinton Drive.[5] Because of the 1935 incorporation, Houston did not incorporate Galena Park's territory into its city limits, while Houston annexed surrounding areas that were unincorporated.[6] By the late 1930s Houston was growing as a port, so Galena Park expanded. Since the 1940s area residents considered the city to be a part of Greater Houston.[5]

The economy of Galena Park began to suffer in the early 1980s, when cranes used to haul ship cargo were reduced; prior to the early 1980s a team of workers who took up to one week to load cargo off of a ship stayed in the port city and contributed to its local economy, but the new technology lead to ships unloading all cargo in less than one day.[7] The 1980s also hit Galena Park's economy with all the layoffs from the steel mills.[citation needed] The economy further decreased after the September 11, 2001 attacks, when sea port administrators tightened security rules that governed whether sailors could leave ships docked at port.[7]

Galena Park is located at 29°44′20″N 95°14′14″W / 29.73889°N 95.23722°W / 29.73889; -95.23722 (29.738928, -95.237211).[8]