How to Become a Radiology Technician El Segundo CA 90245 Archives

How to Find an Xray Tech School near El Segundo California

El Segundo CA x-ray tech internship program Congrats regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near El Segundo CA so you can become a radiologic technologist. And now that you have decided to enter the rewarding field of healthcare, how do you undertake selecting the ideal college and program so that you will get the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And since the majority of states do require that radiology techs become licensed, depending on where you ultimately work you may require preparation to pass a licensing exam. So it’s important that you assess each of the colleges you are looking at in order to evaluate each program. Most prospective students start by looking for colleges or technical schools that are within driving distance of their residences. Next, they check tuition and frequently gravitate toward the lowest cost. But while expense and location must be taken into account, there are other critical qualifiers also. For example, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they offer internships. These inquiries and others you should ask the colleges you are considering are provided later in this article. But first, let’s talk about what a radiology tech does and the credentials and education choices that are offered.

X-Ray Technician Career Description

There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They may also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, they all have the same fundamental job description, which is to utilize 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. Some opt to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialty, for example mammography. They may work in El Segundo CA 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 take care of their equipment plus regularly assess its performance and safety. They are also expected to keep complete records of each of their diagnostic procedures. As El Segundo CA health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees Available

x-ray machine in El Segundo CA 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 option to earn either an Associate or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most common among technicians, usually takes 18 months to two years to finish based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take more time at as much as four years to finish and is more comprehensive in scope. Most students opt for a degree major in Radiography, but there are other similar majors that are acceptable as well. Something to bear in mind is that El Segundo CA radiographer schools have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It can frequently be fulfilled by taking part in an internship or externship program which a large number of colleges sponsor through local clinics and hospitals in their area. After you have graduated from one of the degree programs, you will need to abide by 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 technician school, depending on the state where you will be employed you may need to become licensed. Most states do require licensing, and their requirements vary so check with your state. Currently, all states that do mandate licensure will accept The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination for the licensing application, but many offer other alternatives for testing also. Some states also call for certification as part of the licensing procedure, if not it is optional. Having said that, numerous El Segundo CA employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it could enhance your career options to become certified. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program as well as a passing score on their comprehensive examination. ARRT also requires re-certification every other year, which can be satisfied with 24 credits of continuing ed, or by passing an exam.

Online Radiology Technologist Classes

attending x-ray tech school online in El Segundo 90245 As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have practical or lab training included in their curriculum. This is no different for online degree colleges. So although you can still obtain your degree online, a substantial amount of the training will be satisfied either in a school lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is typically carried out in local hospitals, outpatient clinics or private practices in sponsorship with the schools. But the online section of the training can be accessed in the comfort of your El Segundo CA residence. Students who keep working while earning their degree typically find that the online style of education is much more practical with their active schedules. Plus online programs are frequently cheaper than traditional options. Along with reduced tuition, expenditures for commuting and study materials may be reduced as well. But just make sure that the online school you select is accredited (more on the benefits of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online degree may be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Radiology Tech Colleges

As soon as you have selected the kind of degree that you would like to obtain, you can start the process of locating and assessing El Segundo CA x-ray tech colleges. You will also need to decide if you want to attend online classes or travel to a nearby campus. If you choose the latter, then naturally the location of the college will be relevant. The cost of tuition and ancillary expenses will be a determining variable as well. But along with location and cost, what more should you factor in when reviewing schools? Well, you need to check out if the colleges are accredited, and if they sponsor externship or internship 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 need to ask the colleges you are reviewing.

Are the Radiology Technician Colleges Accredited? Most radiology technician schools have received some type of accreditation, whether national or regional. Even so, it’s still important to confirm that the program and school are accredited. Among the most highly respected 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 undergone a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and educational materials. If the school is online it might also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets online or distance learning. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides guaranteeing a superior education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial aid and student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many El Segundo CA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry level openings.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Inquire if the California xray technician schools you are evaluating have associations with area clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific way to get practical training in a clinical setting, they are also a means to satisfy the clinical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist graduates and students establish professional relationships in the El Segundo CA health care community and help with obtaining employment.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will undoubtedly wish to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are assessing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent indication that the schools have substantial networks and good relationships with El Segundo CA healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and in demand.

Where is the Program Located? For many students, the college they pick will need to be within travelling distance of their El Segundo CA residence. Those who have opted to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of importance. 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 need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically 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.

How Large are the Classes ? Unless you are the kind of person that likes to sit way in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely want a smaller class size. Small classes enable more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the El Segundo CA colleges you are looking at what the average 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 talk with a few of the students and instructors to get their perspectives regarding the x-ray technician program also.

Does the School Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you need to verify that the x-ray tech college you finally choose can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you need to schedule night or weekend classes in El Segundo CA, check that they are offered. If you can only enroll on a part-time basis, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would have to enroll in. Also, find out what the protocol is for making up any classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family obligations.

Why Did You Want to Be a Radiologic Technologist?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask radiographer prospects is "What made you choose radiography as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being an Xray technician, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to radiography, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize a number of strategies about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you possess that make you an exceptional X-Ray tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Pick the Right Radiology Technician Program near El Segundo CA

Selecting the appropriate radiology technician school is a critical first step toward initiating a gratifying new career providing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiographer must be in good physical condition. X-Ray techs regularly stand for the majority of the working day and position and sometimes lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also demonstrate an ability to pay strict attention to detail and to comply with the safety requirements developed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray techs work very closely with patients, other techs as well as the doctors and radiologists. Having interpersonal skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and deliver the best possible patient care. As we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each program you are reviewing before making your final selection. This is just as true whether you participate in an online program or travel to classes on-campus. By asking the appropriate questions you can assess and compare each school so you can narrow down your options before making your final choice. And with the appropriate training and your motivation to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a radiology tech in El Segundo CA.

Some Background on El Segundo California

El Segundo, California

El Segundo is a city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. El Segundo, from Spanish, means "The Second" in English.[8] Located on the Santa Monica Bay, it was incorporated on January 18, 1917, and part of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments. The population was 16,654 at the 2010 census, slightly up from 16,033 at the 2000 census.

The El Segundo and Los Angeles coastal area was first settled by the Tongva (or Gabrieleños) and Chumash Native American tribes hundreds of years ago. The area was once a part of Rancho Sausal Redondo ("Round Willow Patch Ranch"). Rancho Sausal Redondo extended from Playa Del Rey in the North to Redondo Beach in the South. Originally a Mexican land grant owned by Antonio Ygnacio Avila, the rancho was later purchased by a Scottish baronet named Sir Robert Burnett. After his return to Scotland, the property was purchased by then current manager of the rancho, Daniel Freeman. Daniel Freeman sold portions of the rancho to multiple owners. George H. Peck owned the 840 acres (3.4 km2) of land the Chevron Refinery now sits on. Peck also developed land in neighboring El Porto where a street still bears his name. The city earned its name ("the second" in Spanish) as it was the site of the second Standard Oil refinery on the West Coast (the first was at Richmond in Northern California), when Standard Oil of California purchased the 840 acres (3.4 km2) of farm land in 1911.

The company was renamed Chevron in 1984, and the El Segundo refinery has entered its second century of operation.[9] The city was incorporated in 1917.

The Douglas Aircraft Company plant in El Segundo was one of the major aircraft manufacturing facilities in California during World War II. It was one of the major producers of SBD Dauntless dive bombers, which achieved fame in the Battle of Midway. The facility, now operated by Northrop Grumman, is still an aircraft plant.[11][12]